EXPECTED OWN GOALS: Olympics Recap--The USWNT Win Group B, Face Japan in the Quarterfinals

American Soccer Analysis

The USWNT beat Australia 2-1 in the final round of the Olympics group stage, topping the group and heading to the quarterfinals to play Japan on Saturday. Despite all the hand-wringing about the US heading into the tournament, they finished group play with the best goal differential the best non-penalty xG differential, the most shots taken in the box, and the most touches in the box. (There's also the small matter of Spain as the only other team to win all three of their group games.)
How did the US look against Australia? What might it portend for the knockout stage? And what dangers--and opportunities--do Japan offer? Eric & Evan tackle it all!
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Art by Eli Elbogen
Music by Devin Drobka's Bell Dance Songs