Tianjin, China (My Sportsbook) - Midfielder Leslie Osborne doesn't put too much value in the United States' win over Brazil just three months ago, saying the U.S. does not play "the same team" in the semifinals of the Women's World Cup on Thursday.

On June 23 in East Rutherford, N.J., the United States got a goal from captain Kristine Lilly in the first minute and one from Abby Wambach in the 17th minute in a relatively easy 2-0 win.

Briana Scurry got the start in goal that day for the United States, and she will once again be in net against Brazil on Thursday after head coach Greg Ryan made the surprising announcement on Wednesday.

Ryan decided to move starter Hope Solo, who has recorded three consecutive clean sheets, to the bench in favor of Scurry, who has an impressive 12-0 mark with eight shutouts against Brazil in her career.

The head coach is putting himself out there to absorb huge criticism if Scurry does not perform well because Solo has proven over the past three games that she is one of the top keepers in the competition.

That victory was against a solid Brazil team. But it was also a team missing some of its stars, most notably 2006 FIFA Player of the Year Marta.

"(Marta) will make a difference," Osborne said.

With Marta leading the way, Brazil is the only unbeaten, untied team in the tournament. Don't expect a team similar to the one the United States defeated earlier this year, but a more dangerous team resembling the country's 2004 Olympic finalist.

The only team better than Brazil at the '04 Olympics? The United States. The Americans topped the Brazilians 2-1 in overtime on a goal from Wambach, who has four goals to lead the United States in the World Cup.

With a berth in the World Cup final on the line Thursday, it could be Osborne who draws the main job of slowing down Marta. Osborne has started two games in the Cup, marking Sweden's Victoria Svensson and England's Kelly Smith.

Svensson and Smith, two of the world's best goal scorers, were completely shut down by Osborne. Smith didn't even take a shot until the 90th minute.

Marta, though, is a little different story.

"She's kind of like Kelly, in terms of fast, really good with the ball," Osborne said.

But that's not all.

"The ball's glued to her foot. Not only does she play it, but she looks to get the ball back every single time. She's just involved and they get her the ball and she just doesn't stop. She's just a smart player," Osborne said. "Just because she gives the ball away does not mean she's not involved in that play. She's involved in that play somehow."

Marta's five goals is tied for the tournament lead with Norway's Ragnhild Gulbrandsen. Although she is just 21, Marta has eight goals already in two appearances in the World Cup.

U.S. defender Stephanie Lopez believes one way to knock the emotional Marta off her game is to try and frustrate her.

"She's a very passionate player. Emotions are very evident. Sometimes that's good for a defender to know you can frustrate a player," Lopez said. "I think you (try to) do that against any forward."

Another big difference between containing Marta, compared so Svensson and Smith, is Brazil is full of world-class playmakers. Christiane has four goals to provide another dangerous option for Brazil. She had the game winner in Brazil's 3-2 win over Australia in the quarterfinals.

"They're very skillful (and) move the ball well. Christiane's shot at the end of the game, she had five players around her, but yet she found that one window to put the ball up and over the goalie's head," Lopez said. "The stuff they put together was very nice. You just have to be very tight and try to frustrate them. We've played them before so I think we have a good idea of their attack."

Lilly agreed that was the one bonus of playing Brazil just three months ago - allowing the team to play against the Brazilians' unique style.

"It was great to play Brazil because they are so different than any kind of team," Lilly said. "They are technically so good, they're quick, but they (are) also a bit rough. They get in there and are always right around you. As a team, we did well to stay composed and try to play. I think it's good for these young players to go up against Brazil.

"I think some of the young players were surprised, but they held their own."

The United States - which is actually the oldest team in the tournament by average age - had 12 players make their debuts in the World Cup this year. With the confidence of escaping the "Group of Death," the Americans settled down and played their best game of the World Cup in a 3-0 win over England in the quarterfinals.

"I think we just need to continue on the confidence roll," Wambach said. "The group that we had was one of the most difficult groups in the tournament and having come out of that group on top gave us confidence that maybe we didn't even realize we were gaining. We just keep continuing to build on that confidence and I think we will be OK."

With the United States' defense, which coach Greg Ryan has called the "best ever," facing its toughest test of the tournament, Brazil's defense is also under the microscope.

Brazil didn't allow a goal in the group stage, but Australia took advantage of nearly every solid scoring chance in the quarterfinals. With Wambach, Lilly, Heather O'Reilly and the rest of a potent U.S. attack on the loose, Brazil will be under more pressure than it has all tournament.

Brazil will need its best defensive effort to shut down the United States and reach it first Women's World Cup final. The Brazilians highest finish was third in 1999.

The United States is trying to advance to the final for the third time. It has won both times it made the final in 1991 and 1999.