record at the O2.Garber: Its pretty much of a wash, bu

RIO DE JANEIRO -- U.S. womens water polo coach Adam Krikorian shook his head in disgust after an ugly turnover in the third. He put in five new swimmers after China scored in the fourth, and then clapped his hands at his bench as if trying for a late wake-up call.And it hardly mattered. The United States was in complete control right from the start, never in danger of losing to overmatched China. It turns out winning isnt the only thing for the defending world and Olympic champions.Were more concerned with how we play and trying to be as consistent as possible, Krikorian said after the United States 12-4 victory on Thursday. I dont think I saw that in the second half and when you play every other day, theres no reason to rest. Were getting plenty of rest on our off days and we just got to keep it into a high gear there.The United States improved to 36-2 in 2016 with its 18th straight victory, rolling to titles on three continents before beating Spain 11-4 in its Olympic opener on Tuesday. It has scored in double figures 17 times during its win streak, totaling 231 goals overall and outscoring opponents by an average of seven goals.Captain Maggie Steffens dismissed any notion of complacency as the U.S. tries to become the first country to win consecutive Olympic titles in womens water polo.Each game is a gold-medal game, Steffens said. Each game is an opportunity for us to represent the USA, and thats the motivation.Steffens scored three of her four goals as the United States jumped to a 7-1 lead at the break. The team grew more careless with the ball as the game went along, including the third-quarter turnover during a rare 6-on-4 power play that prompted Krikorians exasperated reaction.We had too many turnovers that game, U.S. attacker Kaleigh Gilchrist said. China capitalized on a few, but they could have capitalized on a lot more, and knowing as we go ahead opponents are going to try to look to do that, so we have to tighten a few things up.The United States only two losses so far this year are to Australia, 5-4 on May 26 in California and 5-4 on May 31 in China. The Aussie Stingers lost 8-7 to Italy on Thursday, a potentially costly result that could force them into a semifinal matchup with the United States.Australias Rowie Webster tied it at 7 with 2:37 to go, but Roberta Bianconi had a power-play goal for Italy with 34 seconds remaining.I think the game was won and lost in the extra-man goals that they scored and we potentially missed, Webster said.Australia faces winless Brazil on Saturday on the final day of the preliminary round. Italy, which leads Group A with four points, takes on Russia, Spain plays against China, and the United States faces Hungary. The quarterfinals begin Monday.Italys Giulia Gorlero, splashing the water at times in celebration or frustration, had 10 saves in the victory over the Aussies.Our match is very important for us, Golero said through a translator. But thats not enough. ... Our tournament starts in the quarterfinals.Also Thursday, Ekaterina Prokofyeva and Evgeniya Ivanova scored three goals apiece to lead Russia to a 14-7 win against Brazil, and Judith Forca Ariza scored in the fourth to help Spain hold on for an 11-10 victory over Hungary.---Jay Cohen can be reached at http://www.twitter.com/jcohenap Authentic Nike Air Force 1 Wholesale . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. Air Force 1 Cheap Online . -- Stanfords Kevin Danser knelt on one knee and hardly moved on the sideline as Michigan State celebrated its Rose Bowl victory and his Cardinal teammates made their way to the locker room. http://www.airforce1cheap.com/ . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. Air Force 1 Cheap Outlet . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. Wholesale Air Force 1 From China .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. Were down to the final regular-season match of the year, and the stakes couldnt be higher. Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will play in the championship match of the ATP World Tour Finals (ESPN2 & WatchESPN, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) with the winner also snaring the year-end No. 1 ranking. This scenario has never happened.So who has the advantage? Hometown boy Murray or the much fresher Djokovic? Our writers weigh in.What does this match mean for mens tennis?Nic Atkin: Murray said it would be the perfect way to end the season, and I have to agree. While Im sure the crowd wouldnt have minded seeing Murray beat Nishikori in the final, any other matchup would have been a letdown.Peter Bodo: The match is a tribute to the quality and diversity of the field in mens tennis. It demonstrates how quickly the landscape can change, considering how far in front Djokovic was in the rankings as recently as June. It also validates the concept of a year-end final. Imagine the debate we would be having about the No. 1 ranking this year if the season had ended with the Paris Masters 1000. Now we will have a clear-cut answer.Greg Garber: This, as the U.S. president-elect would say, is huge. With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal -- and Serena Williams, too -- all falling off their classic games, here are the two best-matched rivals in the game. One match for No. 1. It doesnt get any better than that.Johnette Howard: This is a rousing end to a mixed bag of a year in which Federer and Nadal were absent for long stretches. Even Djokovic -- the most reliable man in the game in recent years -- hit an unexpected trough. Given whats at stake here -- Murrays late-career chance to finally experience being No. 1 after years of never-say-die work versus Djokovics rallying to show he isnt giving up the top ranking without a fight -- this could be a memorable match.How will the pressure affect Murray?Atkin: There will be a lot of weight on Murrays shoulders. While he has overtaken Djokovic at the top of the rankings, he hasnt beaten the Serb on the way to No. 1 this year. Murray needs to show he is done playing second fiddle.Bodo: Murray has played his way into a zone where he probably wont be feeling much pressure at all, at least not the usual kind. Hes in a groove, playing lots of matches and winning them all, including two marathons this week. Murray will feel nervous, though, and he should. Nerves are just a sign that a players physical and neurological systems are going on high alert.Garber: I dont think pressure is the issue here. Against Raonic in the semifinals, Murray rose to the big occasion, again and again -- even saved a match point. I think the fact that hes played two three-hour-plus matches in a span of four days will be more telling.Howard: Playing in London agrees with Murray. He won Olympic gold there, not just Wimbledon. I think hell grouse, grimace, bluster and yell throughout. Hell play stretches of sensational tennis. But the match will not be over quickly. He will lose some games he shouldnt, especially if his legs are tired, and make it a nail-biteer.dddddddddddd.What does Djokovic need to do to maintain his dominance against Murray?Atkin: Djokovic doesnt need to change anything physically. He will be far fresher than Murray. Djokovic just needs to make sure he keeps his cool and doesnt get wound up by the mental distractions that have plagued him in the second half of 2016.Bodo: The main themes for Djokovic should be consistency and serve efficiency. Murray still has lapses, struggles with his form and gets frustrated. Those can be exploited. Murray is returning very well and very aggressively. Djokovic needs to ramp up the efficiency of his own service game the way Murray has his these past few months.Garber: Play his crazy, all-court game. He looked ridiculously dominant against Nishikori, especially returning serve. Djokovic has won 16 of his past 19 matches against Murray, something the Scot will have a hard time discounting as he prepares for this.Howard: I think the three-set format favors Djokovic. He has the potential to win points quicker. Hes the better shot-maker and bigger risk-taker, whereas Murray is often risk-adverse and often gets worse when more is at stake. Djokovic has arguably the best service-return game in history, too, so if Murrays serve is off at all, hell find trouble.Who needs this win more?Atkin: Murray, for sure. If he loses, then doubt will still be at the back of his mind going into next season that his best still isnt good enough to beat Djokovic when the Serb is playing his best.Bodo: Djokovic needs to win this more because the rumors that hes lost something are growing louder and louder, while the chorus for Murray is all positive. Hes finally hitting his stride. Nobody is going to think Murray has dropped a level as a player if he loses this, but that will be the takeaway for most people if Djokovic does. Its especially true in light of Djokovics outstanding record at the O2.Garber: Its pretty much of a wash, but Ill say Djokovic. Murray has had a wonderful run, winning 22 consecutive matches, which matches his career high. Hell head into 2017 with a lot of optimism, regardless of the result. Djokovic needs this one to get back on track.Howard: Murray. Hes had to soldier on in the greatest era of mens tennis ever. Hes always been the junior partner in the Big Four and has always remained determined to chase Djokovic, Federer and Nadal, who all have double-digit major title totals. Murray has to know he may not get another chance to climb this mountain and be No. 1 again. So if not now, then when?Prediction?Atkin: Andy Murray ... in 3 hours, 39 minutes.Bodo: This week Murray has played two of the three longest three-set ATP matches of the year, and hell go into the final barely 24 hours after finishing the longest of those. So what? Andy is a juggernaut; mind over matter leads him to win in three.Garber: After Saturdays results, Djokovic in two.Howard: Murray in an upset squeaker. Djokovic rips another shirt. ' ' '