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USWNT vs. France: How to Watch Olympic Soccer in Brazil. TV and Streaming Listings

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The USWNT travels to the Amazon to take on Colombia. Six Olympic soccer games highlight the day and the USA opens defense of a rugby Gold Medal they earned 92 years ago. Olympic Open Thread and How to Watch on TV and Online

By Chris Tobin
Will Megan Rapinoe make her debut today?
Will Megan Rapinoe make her debut today?
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

The final group stage games in Women's soccer at the Olympics take place today.  Eight teams will advance to the knockout stages and four teams will be headed home.  The Olympics is like every other major soccer tournament in that they are playing the final games of the round concurrently.  So we will have three blocks of two games to keep an eye on today.  Let's take each group separately and organize your How to Watch that way.

How to Watch, Soccer at the Olympics:

Group F (Canada, Germany, Australia, Zimbabwe)

Canada v Germany
Tuesday, Noon
Location: Mane Garrincha Stadium, Brasilia
TV: NBCSN, Olympic Soccer Channel
Streaming: Women's Soccer Match 13

Australia v Zimbabwe
Tuesday, Noon
Location: Fonte Nova Arena, Salvador
TV: None
Streaming: Women's Soccer Match 14

Canada is on six points and guaranteed a spot in the knockout rounds.  Germany is on four points and barring a legendary collapse will join them.  But the winner of this match will win the group and have a better draw in the knockout stages.  Canada easily handled Australia in their opener with a 2-0 win before moving on with a 3-1 win over Zimbabwe, while Germany were flying high after beating Zimbabwe 6-1 in their opener but struggled mightily with Australia.  The Matildas outplayed Germany for long stretches of the game and had the lead two times but could not hold on as Germany earned an 88th minute equalizer to finish 2-2.  The unlikely point earned by Australia against Germany puts them in a good place to advance as a third place team if they can take care of Zimbabwe.  A game they are highly favored.

Group G (USA, France, New Zealand, Colombia)

Colombia v USA
Tuesday, 3 PM
Location: Amazonia Arena, Manaus
TV: NBCSN, Olympic Soccer Channel
Streaming: Women's Soccer Match 15

The excellent commentary team of Arlo White and Kate Markgraf on the call.

New Zealand v France
Tuesday, 3 PM
Location: Fonte Nova Arena, Salvador
TV: None
Streaming: Women's Soccer Match 16

The USWNT need just a draw to win the group after their 1-0 win over a very good France team on Saturday.  Hope Solo earned her 200th Cap (international appearance) in the win over France and will be expected to extend her international appearance record for a goalkeeper (men or women) in this match.  With the games coming quickly, expect to see some squad rotation.  Julie Johnston and Mallory Pugh were held out of the France game largely for precautionary reasons and are likely to return.  Alex Morgan looked to pick up a late injury versus France and while she is technically available, it might be just the excuse USWNT Manager Jill Ellis is looking for to get Alex Morgan a rest and perhaps Christen Press a start.

With the USWNT having already secured a spot in the knockout round, this might be the best time to get the Seattle Reign's Megan Rapinoe on the field.  Rapinoe has been leading the team in awesome looking social media posts, but has still not seen the field since December's knee surgery.

Neither France or New Zealand have locked up a spot in the knockout rounds with their three points.  Australia will likely beat Zimbabwe to end up on four points in Group F.  That leaves goal differential very much in play for whomever loses the matches between France v New Zealand in Group G and Sweden v China in Group E.  Regardless, a win by either team sees them through.

Group E (Brazil, China, Sweden, South Africa)

South Africa v Brazil
Tuesday, 6 PM
Location: Amazonia Arena, Manaus
TV: Olympic Soccer Channel
Streaming: Women's Soccer Match 17

China v Sweden
Tuesday, 6 PM
Location: Mane Garrincha Stadium, Brasilia
TV: None
Streaming: Women's Soccer Match 18

While Neymar and the Brazil Men's soccer team have struggled, that same can not be said of Marta and the women's team.  Brazil has six points from two games on a 3-0 win over China followed up by a 5-1 win over a good Sweden team.  Brazil travel to the Amazon and Manaus to make up the second half of the double header game that opens with USA v Colombia.  The match is sold out so the atmosphere should be great (a rarity as attendance for the Women's tournament has been spotty).

China and Sweden play the other half of Group E with the winner moving on in second place.  In case of a draw, China will finish second on goal differential (barring an epic collapse by Brazil against South Africa) and Sweden will almost assuredly advance as one of the two best third place teams.

By kickoff all the permutations in this group will be set and teams will know exactly what they need to do.  There is a likely scenario where Pia Sundhage and Sweden could draw the USA depending on results.  I doubt either side will be cheering for that matchup.

Other Notable Olympic Broadcasts Today:

After being enthralled with Women's Rugby making it's debut at the Olympics, the men start their tournament today.  Congratulations to Australia on the first Women's Rugby Olympic Gold Medal.  The US Men are the defending Olympic Champions (1924 Paris) and will open their title defense after 92 years as title holders with two games today.  The Olympics use the entertaining and fast moving 7 man rugby variation, thus the ability to play two games in a day.

Men's Rugby: USA v Argentina
9 AM, NBCSN
http://stream.nbcolympics.com/mens-rugby-pool-1-6

Men's Rugby: USA v Brazil
2 PM, CNBC
http://stream.nbcolympics.com/mens-rugby-pool-7-12

Men's Volleyball, Indoor: USA v ITALy
2 PM, NBC

NBC Primetime Broadcast features the Women's Gymnastics team final where the USA women are heavy favorites and a busy night in the pool featuring Katie Ledecky, Missy Franklin and Michael Phelps.
7 PM, NBC

Next Up In Ride of the Valkyries - An OL Reign blog

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