The United States women’s national team got off to a flying start at the Olympics with a 3-0 win over Zambia, followed by a 4-1 masterclass against Germany. The USWNT has already secured a spot in the quarterfinals.

As crazy as it sounds, some fans are hoping they lose their final group stage match and finish second in the group.

Who would want that?? We explain.

Only 12 teams participate in the women’s football tournament, but the format is a bit odd: the top two teams advance to the next groups, along with two teams that finish in third place.

The knockout pool is set up so that the US national team will face the runner-up in their group in the quarterfinals if they finish first OR second in their group.

The US national team is in Group B.

USWNT Olympic Quarterfinal Scenarios

If the USWNT finishes first in Group B, they will face Japan, Brazil or even Spain in the quarterfinals. Three incredibly tough opponents, with Spain being the worst-case scenario.

If the USWNT finishes second in Group B, that would mean a quarterfinal against Colombia, France or possibly Canada. Three teams the USWNT would be favored to face.

It’s worth noting that with how well the USWNT is playing, they’re confident they can beat anyone in this tournament. The 4-1 win over Germany was the best the team has seen against a top opponent since their 2019 World Cup triumph.

After two games at the Olympics, the United States has six points and a goal difference of +6 (seven goals scored, one against).

Even if coach Emma Hayes wanted the US to finish in second place, her team would have to lose to Australia by a significant margin and Germany would have to run up the score against Zambia to move up the standings by 6 goals.

We cannot say that we foresee this happening.

The US national team’s group stage final against Australia is on Wednesday at 1 p.m. (Eastern Time).