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The United States women's national team continues its run in the Concacaf Women's Championship tonight, taking on Mexico in the semifinals. However, more important than this tournament is its role as Concacaf's qualification process for the 2015 World Cup: should the United States win this game, they will be automatically qualified for the tournament. Both teams that make the finals will secure their spot to Canada next year, as will the winner of the third place game (and Canada have obviously already qualified as hosts). Win and you're in, and it is against the only team to have ever beaten the United States in a World Cup qualifier.
Kickoff time: 7:30 PM EDT
Venue: PPL Park, Chester, PA
TV/Streaming: As with all of the games in this tournament, it will be on the Fox family of networks. This game in particular will be on Fox Sports 1, with (expensive) streaming available through Fox Soccer 2 Go or the WatchESPN-esque Fox Sports GO.
Projected lineup: After some players on the back line got rested in the previous game, I think that Jill Ellis will revert to her mainstays. Therefore, I think that Hope Solo will start in goal, with a back line of Ali Krieger, Christie Rampone, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Megan Klingenberg in front of her. If Rampone gets the start, it will be her 300th cap for the USWNT. The midfield trio will consist of Carli Lloyd, Lauren Holliday, and Megan Rapinoe, and the forwards will be Abby Wambach, Sydney Leroux, and Tobin Heath.
Match previews: We have our obligatory US Soccer preview and our SB Nation preview, along with previews from Fox Sports, USA Today, and Philly.com.
Prediction: People are still not sold on the Jill Ellis era, and her reckoning will come based on the team's performance in the World Cup next year. But they will make it to that World Cup, and will beat Mexico by the appropriate score of 2-0.
What are you drinking? I'm going to Isley Brewing Company after work today, so probably some of their peanut butter stout. What about you?
As always, this is your place for pre-game, in-game, and post-game talk.