At some point during these Olympics, Carli Lloyd, Tobin Heath, and Hope Solo will need more support from their U.S. women's national team teammates. But on Saturday, in the USWNT's clash against France, those three players were enough -- but only just barely -- for the team to walk off the pitch with three points.

With the fate of Group G at stake, the U.S. stole a 1-0 win over France. Heath set up Lloyd for the game-winner and Solo ensured that just one goal would be required for the U.S. to fend off a talented -- and, to be blunt, a better -- French side.

Through two games, the U.S. now stands alone atop of its group with six points. Combined with Saturday's draw between Germany and Australia, the U.S. is through to the quarterfinals with the tough victory over France.

Here are seven things to know about the USWNT's win:

1. Who else?

Guess who scored the game-winning goal for the USWNT:

  • A) Carli Lloyd
  • B) Carli Lloyd
  • C) Carli Lloyd
  • D) Carli Lloyd

Lloyd, who put away the first goal of the Olympics for the U.S. in its 2-0 win over New Zealand, handed the U.S. a 1-0 lead over France in the 63rd minute. According to ESPN's Paul Carr, Lloyd became the first USWNT player -- ever -- to score multiple goals in three different Olympics.

So, clearly Tobin Heath deserves the majority of the credit for that goal. Her run and near-post blast set up Lloyd with a tap-in that everyone -- well, maybe not Chris Wondolowski -- would've converted on. Don't overlook Morgan Brian's contribution either, as she spotted Heath on the left side of the box and played her in.

Beautiful soccer, resulting in a rather simple goal for the U.S.

2. Luckier, not better

That passing sequence serves as a perfect representation of the transformation the U.S. underwent after halftime. In the first 45 minutes, the U.S. lacked organization and creativity. It was sloppy. It was completely outplayed by France.

Frankly, it was lucky to be tied at halftime.


The U.S. completed more passes in the first half, but the majority of France's touches served as major threats, while the U.S. meandered around without purpose.

That changed in the second half. The team began to resemble an actual attacking force. The USWNT still isn't operating at the level we saw last summer in the final few games at the World Cup, but after three lackluster halves to start the Olympics, it showed some much-needed signs of life in the second half Saturday.

Still, after the U.S. struck for the lone goal of the game, France responded by mounting several dangerous attacks that the U.S. barely fought off, thanks almost entirely to Solo. In all, France outshot the U.S. 14-5.

3. Hope Solo

Luckily, the USWNT still has the world's best keeper to save its backline during its bouts of sloppiness. Solo was brilliant, making six total saves.

Her save of Wendie Renard in the 16th minute was impressive:

Her save of Marie-Laure Delie in the 41st minute was miraculous, as Solo left her post to cut down the angle and then prevented the ball from slipping through her legs:


Her diving save in the 77th minute saved the USWNT's win:

For so much of Solo's USWNT career, she hasn't been asked to carry the team due to its dominant back-four. On Saturday, she saved her team.

In the process, Solo pieced together her 102nd career shutout in her 200th cap. Holy expletive.

4. Julie Johnston missed

One of the most important moments of the game actually occurred before the opening whistle. Julie Johnston, the USWNT's star centerback, was held out of the lineup due to groin soreness. And her absence resulted in a shaky display of defending.

In the 16th minute, France nearly notched the match's first goal when Renard won a header in the box, powerfully redirecting the free kick to the upper half of the USWNT's goal. Solo deflected the blast into the crossbar and the U.S. escaped, but only just barely. On the ensuing corner kick, the U.S. struggled to clear a bouncing ball. Again, it escaped unscathed.

In the 26th minute, France sliced through the USWNT's backline with a diagonal run. Solo parried away the shot at the near post. In the 41st minute, France broke free on the right side of the box. An isolated Solo kept the score knotted at 0-0. More examples followed until the 93rd minute.

The point being, the Johnston-less backline struggled -- severely. Maybe this is an overreaction, but Johnston might just be the USWNT's most important player. She's dangerous in the air at both ends of the field, and she forms a formidable wall on the backline.

Without her, the USWNT will continue to struggle against the world's best teams. So, clearly, her injury is something to monitor going forward.

5. Tobin Heath: Still dangerous

Heath didn't experience the same type of success she saw against New Zealand in the team's opening win, but she still served as the team's biggest threat. In the first half, the U.S.' best chance to steal a lead came in the 29th minute when Heath placed a free kick just inches underneath the crossbar.

The shot was turned away with a save that actually mimicked Solo's. Surprisingly, the U.S. wasn't awarded a corner.

Through two games, Heath has been the U.S.' most dangerous player in the final third of the field. Strangely enough, she still hasn't found the back of the net, though she's come close on several different occasions.

Don't expect that goal-less streak to last much longer.

6. Wendie Renard incredible

Renard, France's centerback, stole the show. She nearly scored on that early free kick and continually shut down the USWNT's attacks.

Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl has covered soccer for a while now. Here's what he said:

7. What's next?

The USWNT plays Colombia on Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET. With the U.S. already through to the next round, the team could opt to rest Johnston before the real tournament begins.