ENYANG, China (AP) - The U.S. women's team shouldn't expect any surprises when it plays Canada in the quarterfinals of the Olympic soccer tournament on Friday.
The CONCACAF rivals have met four times this year and nine overall since the U.S. won the Olympic gold at the 2004 Athens Games.
"It's going to be a battle, we've played them so many times," U.S. defender Lori Chalupny said. "We have a good feeling for them and familiarity with them, but it's always a battle. We'll be prepared and excited for that game."
The U.S. is the clear favorite for the game in Shanghai. It won all those nine matches since Athens, outscoring Canada 25-4. One of the victories came in the final of the Olympic qualifying tournament in April, and another in the championship match of the Peace Cup in June.
"We played Canada many times, so we know them very well and they know us very well," U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said. "Whoever can get that Olympic spirit, find that positive feeling and play good soccer, will win the game."
The Americans go into the match boosted by a convincing 4-0 victory over Zew Zealand in their final group-stage match on Tuesday. The result, added to Norway's surprising 5-1 loss to Japan in Shanghai, allowed the U.S. to finish first in Group G and avoid a match against Brazil.
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A look back at the final day of pool play and a preview of the quarterfinals from Beijing.
Led by FIFA Player of the Year Marta, the Brazilians routed the United States 4-0 in the semifinals of last year's World Cup, also played in China. Brazil finished first in Group F, ahead of world champion Germany. Brazil will face Norway in the quarterfinals, while Germany will play Sweden.
Heather O'Reilly scored to put the U.S. ahead only 40 seconds into the match against New Zealand in Shenyang, and Amy Rodriguez, Lindsay Tarpley and Angela Hucles added a goal each to keep the team on track for its second consecutive gold medal in women's soccer.
The Americans, who beat Brazil in the Athens final, were coming off a 1-0 win over Japan and a 2-0 loss to Norway in their first two games.
"It shows how much spirit we have," U.S. captain Christie Rampone said. "We bounced back and it's exciting because we still haven't played our best soccer."
Rampone played in her 200th career match with the U.S. national team on Tuesday, joining five other players who have reached the milestone - Kristine Lilly, Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett and Tiffeny Milbrett. It is Rampone's third Olympic Games.
Canada was leading Group E entering its final match against Sweden on Tuesday, but lost 2-1 to drop to third place and set up the clash against the United States.
"I've been a part of this team for a couple [of] years and I feel like I've played them so much," U.S. midfielder Carli Lloyd said. "We know how they play and it's going to be a definite battle. They are a strong team and have some really good players. We're going to forget about New Zealand and keep trying to elevate our game."
Besides winning gold in Athens, the U.S. was also victorious at the 1996 Atlanta Games, when women's soccer debuted in the Olympics. It finished second to Norway at the 2000 Sydney Games.
In its last meeting with Canada - a May 10 'friendly' contest in Washington, D.C. - the U.S. thrashed its northern neighbor 6-0, with forward Natasha Kai netting a hat-trick.
The Americans currently lead FIFA's rankings, followed by Germany, Sweden, Brazil and Norway.
After reading this, I am HAMMERING the US. I sense a blowout here!!!!!
I honestly thought Brazil had a chance to win outright.