USA looking to rain goals on Nigeria

Soccer Betting Lines

09/17/2007 - Shanghai, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The United States needs to earn at least a draw against Nigeria on Tuesday to escape the "Group of Death" and advance to the quarterfinals.

While a draw would be enough to ensure the United States moved on to the next round, it could also result in a quarterfinal game against defending champion Germany.

For the United States to avoid that quarterfinal, it has to pull out of a tie with North Korea for the top spot in Group B. After the teams played to a 2-2 draw, both posted 2-0 victories in their second games of the group stage.

The United States is in good position, facing the "weakest" team in the group but the game could be played in poor conditions with Typhoon Wipha headed to Shanghai. There was talk about moving the game, but no change was made as of Monday evening.

If the United States and North Korea, which plays Sweden on Tuesday, both win or tie it would come down to tiebreakers to determine the group winner. Right now, the teams are equal on every tiebreaker except fair play, which is total cards received in the tournament. North Korea has one more card.

The easiest way for the Americans to avoid falling to second is to post a big win against Nigeria. Simply, if both games end with the same result - win or tie - the United States has to score more goals in its game to win the group.

Not only would that scenario suit the Americans well, but it would also boost the team's confidence after a couple so-so performances, according to captain Kristine Lilly.

"We are looking forward to (the Nigeria) game, making some things happen and play better soccer overall," Lilly said. "I think we need to play the game more, keep the ball on the ground (and) we have to attack teams, especially Nigeria. We have to go after them and make them be back on their heels and defend."

The United States had trouble in its opener in Chengdu against North Korea in a steady rain. North Korea proved it was a contender with its performance, but the rain cost the United States one goal when goalie Hope Solo had a ball slip through her hands.

The forecast for Shanghai on Tuesday is a 90 percent chance of heavy rains - which means bring your umbrella - and the field at Shanghai Hongkou Football Stadium is already torn up from four previous games in the last seven days.

Regardless of the conditions, the top-ranked Americans are a heavy favorite.

However, Nigeria proved with its 1-1 draw against third-ranked Sweden its a team that can't be overlooked. Nigeria is led by 2006 FIFA Player of the Year nominee and reigning African Woman Footballer of the Year Cynthia Uwak, who scored against Sweden.

The African champions have a lot of skill, great athleticism and enough speed that they'd "make a great track team," U.S. coach Greg Ryan said.

"Our approach has been that with each team we face," Ryan said, "we have to adjust in order to bring out our best qualities and try to limit theirs."

According to Lilly and many of the other U.S. players, the team hasn't shown its best qualities yet. The United States allowed two goals to North Korea but both of those came when the team was down a player with Abby Wambach in the locker room getting stitches to close a gash on her head.

Wambach had one goal in the opener and scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Sweden. But the team again felt it didn't play its best game.

It shouldn't take a great game to beat Nigeria, but the United States' best effort should leave no doubt about the outcome of the group.

Nigeria and Sweden each still have a chance to advance, but must win by at least three goals.

The second-place team plays Germany on Saturday. The winner of Group B also plays Saturday against England, which posted a win and two ties in the group stage, including a 0-0 draw with Germany.

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