The United States Women's National Soccer team begins the knockout stages Friday morning when they take on New Zealand at St. James' Park at Newcastle, England, home of English Premier League's Newcastle United. Kick-off is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m.
The United States went through group play undefeated at 3-0, and will take on a New Zealand team that only finished in third place in Group E at 1-2, but were able to grab one of the two wild card positions to make it to the knockout round.
Rochester, NY native Abby Wambach once again gets the start for the United States, looking to stretch her Olympic scoring streak to streak to five games, stretching back to the 2008 Olympic gold medal match. Morristown, NJ's Tobin Heath will make her first start of the Olympic Games after starting the first three games on the bench, replacing New Brunswick, NJ native Heather O'Reilly.
The winner of today's match will face the winner between Great Britain and Canada in the semifinals.
For more on the 2012 Summer Games, please be sure to check out our Olympic Hub and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.