The conditions at Hongkou Stadium should suit the Americans just fine. They've overcome their own choppy start in the first two games in China, attempting to add a third title to women's World Cups won in '91 and '99.

North Korea made the Americans jittery for 90 minutes, but they hung on for a 2-2 tie. A direct-attacking Sweden threatened early, but the United States survived 2-0. Next comes African champion Nigeria on Tuesday, another critical game for the No. 1-ranked Americans who are undefeated in 49 games.

"We knew this was going to be a very tight World Cup, so many great teams," U.S. coach Greg Ryan said. "This is no surprise."

American goalkeeper Hope Solo and her teammates strolled today inside the stadium, built in the bustling heart of a city of 18 million once called the "Paris of the East."

No teams are being allowed to practice on the tender grass. Instead, a dozen giant fans are swirling, trying to dry the wet and scarred pitch.

"We expected it to be a little choppy, and it definitely is choppy," Solo said. "You can tell they tried to replace some divots with some big sheets of grass. So it's lumpy, not ideal. But with our skill and touch on the ball we will be just fine."

The United States and No. 5 North Korea are almost certain to finish 1-2 in Group B, the toughest in the 16-team tournament. Both can advance to the quarterfinals with ties. While the United States is playing Nigeria, North Korea finishes against Sweden in the northern city of Tianjin.

The two leaders are even on the first six criteria used to break ties in the group — points won, goal difference, goals scored, etc. It's not until the seventh tiebreaker that the United States has an edge — yellow cards. The United States has one and North Korea has two.

If the top seven tie-breaking categories are tied after Tuesday's final group game, it goes to drawing lots.

"I think that we have a lot better to offer," said defender Stephanie Lopez, at 21, the youngest player on the team. "We haven't played at our best, and that's exciting. A lot of that could be getting used to the environment and how difficult the other teams are."

Does it matter who finishes first or second in Group B? Possibly. But not necessarily.

The Group B winner is likely to face either Japan or England in the quarterfinals. England plays Argentina and Japan faces Germany in Group A in their final group games Monday. The second-place team it likely to get a tougher opponent — defending champion Germany, which clobbered Argentina 11-0 in the opener and then sputtered to a 0-0 draw with England.

The Americans' job will be to focus on Nigeria, which has lost all three games it's played against the United States by a combined score of 15-2. However, Nigeria has improved, drawing 1-1 with Sweden and losing 2-0 to North Korea in this tournament.

Ryan said he'll keep the score of the Nigeria game secret from his players.

"They don't need to know," he said. "As a player you don't want to be thinking about what's going on a long way away. There's enough to do right out there."

The U.S. women have started slowly in their first two games. North Korea had a near-goal in the first few seconds, and Sweden pressured with four corners in the first four minutes. Ryan attributed that to a still-blending mix younger and older players.

"I think they are still settling in," Ryan said. "I hope we'll play more and more confidently through this tournament."

A Chinese reporter got Ryan's attention Sunday, saying Chinese newspapers have been suggesting that this American team wasn't as good as the '99 version. The question also came a day after Brazil defeated China 4-0, establishing itself as a possible winner along with the U.S., North Korea, Germany, Norway — and even England and China as long shots.