U.S. will face aggressive Nigerians this evening

The Americans hope to avoid injuries against the foul-prone Nigerian team.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The U.S. women certainly remember their two games with Nigeria. They have the welts and bruises to jog the memory.
Twice, the Americans have beaten the Nigerians: 7-1 in the 1999 World Cup and 3-1 in the 2000 Olympics. In each game, the United States' overwhelming technical skills and versatility were too much for the Africans.
But the Nigerians did leave their marks.
"I had cleat marks up and down my legs," defender Kate Sobrero said of the Olympic match. "Mia [Hamm] had one right across her stomach.
"They are very aggressive, but they don't think they are fouling. They go and cleat you in the face and won't think it's a foul. They go into tackles you would never dream of going into."
Eye quarterfinal spot
The Americans know they must avoid getting in such precarious positions when they play the Nigerians tonight. A victory will pretty much secure a quarterfinals berth for the defending champions, and they want to get there as healthy as possible.
Already, defender Brandi Chastain is sidelined by a broken right foot.
"If we back away, we run the risk of playing in fear during the game," coach April Heinrichs said. "Certainly, we have some courageous players that won't back off. That's part of being a good team.
"If we want to win a World Cup, we have to adjust our game."
It is Nigeria that needs to do the most adjusting from the first round, when it was routed 3-0 by North Korea. Nigeria coach Samuel Okpodu recognizes that.
"I don't think you can succeed against teams like the U.S. if you are not aggressive," said the former North Carolina State player. "We must play a competitive style, but there is no intention of hurting anyone. Our women are aggressive. We are not a malicious team."
Aggressive and physical
The Nigerians are exuberant in their pursuit of loose balls. Many times, they initiate contact, not all of it clean.
Against North Korea, Nigeria had 22 fouls and two yellow cards.
But the Americans are not angels and had two yellows against Sweden, given to goalkeeper Briana Scurry and midfielder Aly Wagner. The U.S. players did not back off in their opener, several times running over Swedish opponents.
In fact, this group takes pride in its aggressive nature.
"Nigeria definitely has that capability and skill," Christie Pearce said, "so being aggressive with them and battling with them is a key. And we can do that.
"I don't think you will see this team backing down from any challenges."
May change lineup
Heinrichs might alter her lineup and go with just two forwards, adding a midfielder as a starter, perhaps the play-making Wagner. Regardless, the style of play will be different: quick, short passes so the Americans are not in precarious positions where they can be fouled.
That also could mean more possession time for forward Abby Wambach and midfielder Shannon Boxx, two of the more powerful U.S. players.
"If anything, I'm not going to have to deal too much with the physical part because I feel I can match that," Boxx said. "Nigeria is good technically on the ball and are very quick. You can't just dive in. That's more of what I need to be focusing on."