The 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro are here, and even though we've still got two more days until the opening ceremonies on Friday, the Women's Soccer tournament is getting under way. And what better way to put an exclamation mark on the first day of group action than to have New Zealand face the defending gold medalists, the United States?
USA vs. New Zealand 2016 live stream: How to watch USWNT Olympic soccer online
The U.S. Women begin their quest for a fourth straight Olympic gold medal looking to topple New Zealand.
The match will be shown in the U.S. on the NBC Sports Network at 6 p.m. ET, with online streaming coverage on NBC Sports Live Extra.
The USWNT has medaled in all five Olympic Games that there has been a women's soccer tournament, winning four of them -- including each of the last three Games -- and earning the silver medal the one year they didn't win gold, with that perhaps fittingly being in the 2000 games in Australia, New Zealand's next-door neighbors. They're also the reigning Women's World Cup champions, and are the dominant force in women's soccer.
New Zealand are no pushovers, though, having won the last three OFC Championship tournaments and finishing in the quarterfinals in the London Olympics in 2012. They also performed well in the World Cup last summer despite their group stage exit, which included a hard-fought draw against hosts and group winners Canada. They’re not going to go down without a fight even against a juggernaut like the United States, and it’s going to make this match a fun and tense one to watch for American fans.
Key player -- Crystal Dunn (United States)
Whether she starts or comes off the bench, Dunn is going to leave a profound mark on this match. She’s one of the best players the U.S. have in the final third, capable of scoring goals by the bushel and creating them with equal ease. No matter how Jill Evans utilizes her, Dunn will be one of her most important players, and seeing just how she’s used in a diverse and ultra-talented attack will be fascinating and could be telling as to how Evans will approach this tournament tactically.
Key matchup -- Alex Morgan (United States) vs. Abby Erceg (New Zealand)
With Morgan finally rounding back into the same kind of form that made her a superstar when she debuted with the national team six years ago, she could make the USWNT attack more dangerous than ever. She’s going to have to be the focus of the New Zealand defense, which means Erceg will, as her nation’s captain, have to make taking Morgan out of the match her priority. It will be a huge task, but Erceg is one of the better defenders in the world -- if anyone in New Zealand’s side can do it, it’s her.
Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 6 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. local
Venue: Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
TV: NBCSN (U.S.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.)
