You have to hand it to Jill Ellis: One way or another, her U.S. national team figures out how to get the job done.
The Americans found themselves on the back foot for much of their Olympic group stage clash with France on Saturday in Belo Horiztone, Brazil. France moved the ball with fluidity while the U.S. buildup stagnated. Amandine Henry circulated possession with efficiency. Louisa Cadamuro carved out danger from the flank. Wendie Renard dominated defensively.
Yet the end result was the same as pretty much every big game of the Ellis era: Another Carli Lloyd goal, and another U.S. win.
With the 1-0 triumph, the U.S. moved into the Group G driver's seat heading into Tuesday's match against Colombia. Barring an unlikely collapse, the Americans will win the group and face a third-place finisher — avoiding the collision course with Germany or Canada that France now faces.
Here are three takeaways from that key win over Les Bleus:
TOBIN HEATH HAS BEEN THE USA'S BEST PLAYER
Lloyd may have grabbed the headlines by netting the game-winner against New Zealand and France, but Heath has been the Americans' most consistently influential performer in Brazil so far. Having entered the tournament nursing a hamstring injury, Heath has not only gone 90 minutes in each match — she's done so serving as a much-needed creative force in the continued absence of Megan Rapinoe.
After teeing up Lloyd's strike against New Zealand, Heath again was the catalyst for a goal from the U.S. captain Saturday, rifling a shot off the post that fell for Lloyd to bury with ease. As the U.S. killed off the game, Heath's poise on the ball proved critical.
**Although the U.S. failed to show much cohesion going forward against France, that ultimately doesn't matter if certain individuals can rise to the occasion. On that note ...
HOPE SOLO STEPPED UP UNDER SCRUTINY
Solo has grabbed the lion's share of the headlines since the U.S. arrived in Brazil after enduring relentless boos, whistles and chants of "Zika!" from the home fans because of her outspoken concerns about the virus. Having grown in hostility over the course of the opening win over New Zealand, the jeers were further amplified Saturday.
How did Solo respond? With a commanding performance to secure the shutout win. Whether it was tipping Renard's powerful header off the crossbar or repeatedly stoning Marie-Laure Delie, Solo delivered for a U.S. team that rarely asks her to do much of anything.
Whether or not the "Zika" chants continue, one thing has become clear: Solo isn't fazed one bit.
FRANCE STILL POSES A MAJOR THREAT
France's meeting with the U.S. was billed as being worthy of a gold medal match — and it still might be. While France's path to the final in Rio de Janeiro grew tougher with Saturday's loss, few would be surprised if we ultimately get a rematch between these teams Aug. 19 at the Maracana.
It's worth keeping in mind that France largely outplayed the U.S. without the services of Eugenie Le Sommer, who sat out with a minor hamstring injury. Add a lethal forward to the mix and perhaps France buries one — or two or three — of those opportunities that went begging.
After France fell to Germany in an instant-classic Women's World Cup quarterfinal last summer, it's safe to say Les Bleus would be ready for a shot at redemption against their European rival. And it would feel appropriate to see this generation of French talent finally break through and advance to a major final.
..... - Goal**