The US Women's National Team booked a date with China in the quarterfinals after dispatching a 10 man Colombian side 2-0 in their round of 16 clash at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
Star striker Alex Morgan finally found the back of the net after nagging fitness concerns limited her playtime in the group stage. After Colombian keeper Catalina Perez was given a straight red card right after half time for a rash challenge at the edge of the box, Morgan fired a 53rd minute goal to break the deadlock. Midfielder Carli Lloyd's shot from the penalty spot 13 minutes later sealed the game for the Stars and Stripes.
However, the US is hoping that the win wasn't a Pyrrhic victory. Winger Megan Rapinoe and central midfielder Lauren Holiday were booked for their second yellow cards of the tournament, meaning they'll have to watch the US' quarterfinal clash with China from the side lines.
Rapinoe's loss will be especially hard. She has been instrumental for the USWNT so far in this tournament. The 29 year old has tallied 2 goals and 1 assist while providing a much needed spark of creativity as the USWNT's Fab Five of forwards has failed to gel so far.
In his postgame analysis, SB Nation's Kevin Mcauley writes that the suspensions may be a blessing in disguise for the US, as coach Jill Ellis will now be forced to explore other options:
"Holiday and Rapinoe are great players, but missing them for the quarterfinal against China might be beneficial for the Americans, in two different ways. In the case of Holiday, Coach Jill Ellis might find out that Morgan Brian or Shannon Boxx is a better central midfield option going forward. And in the case of Rapinoe's absence, the U.S. will have to start attacking as a team instead of relying on one player to create everything."
Coach Ellis will have four days to come up with a game plan. The USWNT kicks off against China on June 26, 2015.
