Sweden coach calls U.S. team best in world ahead of FIFA match in Winnipeg

Sweden coach Pia Sundhage helped the U.S. to a pair of Olympic gold medals, so maybe it makes sense the coach turned in a gold medal performance at Thursday's pre-match media conference.

Sundhage spent much of the half hour session praising the United States as the best team in the world. She also called Hope Solo a "piece of work" and declared her the best goalkeeper in the world.

That wasn't all — Sundhage heaped superlatives on Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd, and U.S. coach Jill Ellis to name a few.

Even when pushed to comment on seemingly harsh comments made earlier about U.S. players in a published report, Sundhage talked about the value of having players who question and push back.

So after all that, is there any way for Sweden to beat the Americans?

Well, following a quick review of what her team did well in its opening draw against Nigeria the coach said, "We have a chance."

Meanwhile, the United States admittedly didn't open with a strong game Monday, but found a way to win against Australia remain as focused as ever on the prize.

However, right now, that prize isn't a third World Cup title but three more points Friday against Sweden.

Coach Jill Ellis said her team got better as the game went on against the Aussies and got rid some of the jitters that come along with the start of another World Cup campaign.

U.S. tradition of success a 'culture'

Ellis knows expectations are sky-high for the U.S., and embraces those expectations calling the team's tradition of success a "culture" where everybody knows what they're getting into.

Americans Meghan Klingenberg and Christen Press both played professionally in Sweden and are full of respect for Friday's opponent.

Klingenberg said the Swedes are a smart team and an incredibly aware team that can use its smarts to pull a team out of position.

As for going up against former U.S. coach Pia Sundhage? Coach Ellis insisted she's preparing her team in typical fashion and pointed out there's nothing she can do to control what her opponent knows about her side.

The Swedes face Australia Tuesday in Edmonton, while the Americans move on to Vancouver to meet Nigeria that same day.

U.S. players praise Winnipeg

Players from the U.S. team feel right at home in Winnipeg.

"We've been walking the city, and you can just see people in red white and blue, and you can just feel the energy in the city," said Meghan Klingenberg. "We absolutely love it. It's been incredible, but if they could just keep it down just a little bit when I'm trying to tell Pinoe instructions."

Christen Press said she was shocked by the level of fan support the Americans have here in Winnipeg.

"We're really grateful to be here and to be supported by our entire country and the people that travelled up here," she said. "Walking out of the tunnel and seeing all the fans, and I felt like I could have been in California, in my home city."

Game against Nigeria 'critical,' Australia says 

Australian coach Alen Stajcic knows Friday's game in Winnipeg against Nigeria is a critical one.

Stajcic was upfront about its importance saying the players know an Aussie loss to the Africans and a Sweden win over the USA will mean elimination from the tournament. But, the coach was quick to add they play to win every game and so there's no change in attitude or pressure.

As for their opponent? The Australian coach said while he respects the Nigerian team, he feels there's something predictable about their so-called unpredictable nature.

Stajcic plans to make a few lineup changes for Friday's game to freshen things up, but wouldn't disclose any moves saying he wanted to check on the players' health after their next practice.

Nigerian coach confident of reaching finals in Vancouver 

Much like the Australians, the Nigerians are confident moving into Friday's match, and why wouldn't they be?

The Africans thrilled the Winnipeg Stadium crowd Monday by coming back from 2-0 down to tie Sweden 2-2 in the second half of their opener, eventually scoring in the 87th to earn a point from a 3-3 draw.

Forward Francisca Ordega provided that late equalizer, and expressed disappointment with the single point saying she felt they were better than Sweden.

Nigeria coach Edwon Okon isn't looking past Australia, saying no team in the tournament is a pushover. But, Okon wasn't shy about his team's chances - not just against Australia but beyond. The coach said his team is not only capable of advancing to the knockout stages, but reaching the tournament final in Vancouver next month.

Nigeria plays the United States in Vancouver Tuesday, while Australia meets Sweden in Edmonton that same day.