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U.S. eyes field day against Nigeria

SHANGHAI, China - The field is bumpy and cut up. The conditions at Hongkou Stadium should suit the Americans just fine. They've overcome their own choppy start in the first two games in China, attempting to add a third title to the Women's World Cup titles won in 1991 and '99.

SHANGHAI, China - The field is bumpy and cut up.

The conditions at Hongkou Stadium should suit the Americans just fine. They've overcome their own choppy start in the first two games in China, attempting to add a third title to the Women's World Cup titles won in 1991 and '99.

The Americans played a jittery 90 minutes against North Korea, hanging on for a 2-2 tie. An attacking Sweden threatened early, but the United States survived, 2-0. Next comes African champion Nigeria tomorrow in another critical outing for the Americans, who are ranked No. 1 and undefeated in 49 games.

"We knew this was going to be a very tight World Cup, so many great teams," U.S. coach Greg Ryan said. "This is no surprise."

American goalkeeper Hope Solo and her teammates yesterday strolled inside the stadium, built in the bustling heart of a city of 18 million once called the "Paris of the East."

No teams are allowed to practice on the tender grass. Instead, a dozen giant fans are swirling, trying to dry the wet and scarred field.

"We expected it to be a little choppy, and it definitely is choppy," Solo said. "You can tell they tried to replace some divots with some big sheets of grass. So it's lumpy, not ideal. But with our skill and touch on the ball we will be just fine."

The U.S. and No. 5 North Korea are almost certain to finish 1-2 in Group B, the toughest in the 16-team tournament. Both can advance to the quarterfinals with ties. While the U.S. is playing Nigeria, North Korea finishes against Sweden in the northern city of Tianjin.

The two leaders are even on the first six criteria used to break ties in the group - points, goal difference, goals, etc. It's not until the seventh tiebreaker that the U.S. has an edge - yellow cards. The U.S. has one and North Korea two. If the top seven tiebreakers are even after tomorrow's final group games, lots are drawn.

Nigeria has tied Sweden, 1-1, and lost to North Korea, 2-0. *