Kommandozentrale » ays match.Every game is important. This one is our

BRASILIA, Brazil -- The top-ranked team in the world will likely be the undercard in womens Olympic soccer on Friday.The United States, the three-time defending champions, will take on Sweden in Brasilia. But the late game in Belo Horizonte between Australia and host Brazil may be the more intriguing match.The Aussies and Brazilians met at the Womens World Cup last year, and it was Australia that advanced by beating Marta and Co. 1-0 in the round of 16.As Olympic hosts this time, Brazil is getting a boost from its soccer-loving public. Although womens soccer does not enjoy the popularity that the sport has in the United States, for instance, the Brazilians drew a sellout crowd to their last match, a scoreless draw against South Africa in the Amazon city of Manaus.Fans, as usual, shouted Marta! Marta! for the five-time FIFA World Player of the year.The Brazilians are ranked No. 8 in the world and went 2-0-1 to finish at the top of their group. The fifth-ranked Australians went 1-1-1 to finish third in their group but still managed to make it into the quarterfinals.Like in Manaus, the fans are expected to pack in to the Mineirao Stadium, with 60,000 expected for the match.Before the Brazilians take the field, however, the United States will be facing old rival Sweden.The Americans won their first two matches in Brazil before a surprising 2-2 draw against Colombia, which had already been eliminated.That hasnt put a damper on the teams expectations.I think were feeling good. You know, I wouldnt want a perfect journey to the top, U.S. co-captain Carli Lloyd said. I think everyone just needs to take a deep breath and relax. We tied against Colombia but its all good. It will motivate us even more.The match reunites the United States with former coach Pia Sundhage, who led the Americans to gold at both the Beijing and London Olympics. Sweden, ranked sixth, struggled in the group stage with a 5-1 loss to host Brazil and finished 1-1-1.Were going to play the best team in the world, Olympic champions and the World Cup champions, and that is challenging and inspiring, Sundhage said Thursday. All the pressure is on the Americans.Were not playing well in the attack, but weve done some good things defending, and if you can put those things together, we have a chance to win.Tenth-ranked Canada won all of its group matches -- including a pair against top-five teams -- but drew a tough quarterfinal opponent in No. 3 France. They will meet in Sao Paulo.The Canadians, who won the bronze medal in London, have been paced by Janine Beckies three goals.This is a Canadian team thats very gritty, thats got a good spirit. And at this point, theyre not overconfident, Canada coach John Herdman told The Canadian Press. Theres a quiet confidence about them.Second-ranked Germany, which was upset in the group final by Canada, faces No. 12 China in Salvador. The Germans are playing in their final tournament under coach Silvia Neid.The Olympic soccer tournament is being held across Brazil, with the gold medal match set for Aug. 19 in Rio de Janeiro.Wholesale Custom Thunder Shirts . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. Custom Thunder T-shirts . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. http://www.customthunderjersey.com/custom-ray-allen-jersey-large-75f.html . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. Custom Thunder Jerseys . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. Ray Allen Jersey Large . Booth picked up 65 caps after making her national team debut in 2002 at the age of 17. She most recently played for Sky Blue FC of the National Womens Soccer League. "It just felt like it was my time to move on," she said in a phone interview from her hometown of Burlington, Ont.West Coast coach Adam Simpson admits Sundays clash with North Melbourne is his AFL clubs most-important game of the season as the Eagles attempt to end their losing run against finals contenders.The Eagles entered round 16 just one win adrift of second spot, despite failing to beat a single top-eight side so far this season.West Coast have a chance to bury that hoodoo against the seventh-placed Kangaroos at Domain Stadium.A loss to North Melbourne would severely dent West Coasts top-four hopes and, in turn, their premiership ambitions, but a win could set up their tilt at making back-to-back grand finals.Simpson is reluctant to talk about his teams top-four chances but is quick to acknowledge the importance of Sundays match.Every game is important. This one is our most-important one, Simpson said.Where are we at? Well find out a bit this week.They (North Melbourne) are in full contention for going all the way this year. The brand they play is built for finals.Weve had some really good battles with them of late.Last time we played them here (in the 2015 preliminary final) was a good result for us.Its a combative finals-type brannd of football they play.dddddddddddd Thats the exciting part for us.Sundays game is equally important for North, who have slid from first to seventh after losing four of their past five games.The Kangaroos will again be without Jarrad Waite (hip) and Daniel Wells (calf), while the Eagles have been boosted by the return of small forward Josh Hill from tonsillitis.West Coasts inability to beat premiership contenders this year has been a big talking point.Simpson has put on a brave face while fielding questions about it from week to week but he says its time for the team to show their true colours.For us to have any success this year, we have to beat sides above us - thats a given, he said.WEST COASTS 2016 RECORD AGAINST TOP-EIGHT SIDES:* Rd 2 - Lost to Hawthorn by 46 points at the MCG* Rd 5 - Lost to Sydney by 39 points at the MCG* Rd 7 - Lost to Geelong by 44 points at Simonds Stadium* Rd 11 - Lost to the Bulldogs by 8 points at Etihad Stadium* Rd 12 - Lost to Adelaide by 29 points at Domain Stadium ' ' '