Just before the U.S. team's final training session in preparation for a Women's World Cup quarterfinal with China on Friday, Coach Jill Ellis dismissed the idea that lineups and formations are all that critical.
"A lineup is just an alignment of players," she said.
So what to read into Ellis' decision to have her offensively challenged team start with five defenders against China?
With a young backline of Julie Johnston, Meghan Klingenberg, Ali Krieger and Becky Sauerbrunn in front of keeper Hope Solo, the U.S. has conceded just a goal in four World Cup games. To that fivesome Ellis added Kelley O'Hara, who will be making her first start in this tournament.