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After yesterday's high tension - well, except for France kicking into high gear - the knockout round rolls on today with the United States facing Colombia as well as Norway's game against England. For the US, the main talking points appear to be some minor needling from the Colombians, though realistically that seems like more of a concern for a content-hungry American media contingent than it will be for the players.
We will have multiple USWNT pieces as the game approaches, so let's zoom in on the first game instead. Norway only finished behind the titans from Germany on goal difference in Group B, and in all fairness they kinda-sorta earned their 1-1 draw. It required that amazing free kick from Maren Mjelde, but still. 19 year old Ada Hegerberg will have to carry the attack as part of their 433, but Norway's strength is probably more in their overall organization and their ability to defend as a unit.
England, meanwhile, has rebounded from basically agreeing with France to lose 1-0 in a dreadful opening game to beat Mexico and Colombia. Those results mean the English met expectations, but they remain a flawed team that can be hard to watch from an aesthetic standpoint. Like Norway, they are a capable defensive unit; unlike Norway, they have a bit of a worry in goal. Karen Bardsley is not exactly a sure set of hands that can be trusted to bail out the mistakes of the other ten players. In other words, expect another tense game with a slight edge for Norway.
Round of 16: Norway vs. England
Kickoff time: 5:00pm Eastern
TV/Streaming: Fox Sports 1, NBC Universo, Telemundo, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2Go, NBC Universo Now, NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra
Venue: Lansdowne Stadium (Ottawa)
Round of 16: USA vs. Colombia
Kickoff time: 8:00pm Eastern
TV/Streaming: Fox Sports 1, NBC Universo, Telemundo, Fox Sports Go, Fox Soccer 2Go, NBC Universo Now, NBC Deportes En Vivo Extra
Venue: Commonwealth Stadium (Edmonton)
What are you drinking?: It's still pretty stifling and miserable out because it's a mid-Atlantic summer and that's what happens. You know what else happens? Gin drinks happen. I won't have one for the start of the first game, but I should be drinking one before it ends.
This is the place to be for any pre-game, in-game and post-game commentary and conversation.