IN ITS SECOND MATCH of the 2015 Algarve Cup, the United States women’s national team picked up a comprehensive 3-0 win over 19th-ranked Switzerland on Friday afternoon. Alex Morgan, Amy Rodriguez, and Abby Wambach all scored for Jill Ellis' side.

The win puts the U.S. firmly in charge of Group B as its heads into its final game of group play against Iceland on Monday. Here are several thoughts on the win.

U.S. is Deep at Center Back

With Christie Rampone still not 100 percent after suffering an injury during the January training camp and Whitney Engen picking up a knock during preparations for the Algarve Cup, Julie Johnston has deputized at center back in both of the U.S.’s games in Portugal.

Following a standout season with the Chicago Red Stars in 2014—in which she won Rookie of the Year honors—many have been calling for Johnston to receive more playing time with the national team. Their appeals appear to be justified, as Johnston has played exceptionally well in this tournament alongside central defender Becky Sauerbrunn.

Johnston first emerged on the international scene in the U-20 World Cup in 2012, helping the U.S. to the title and winning the Bronze Ball for her contributions. Although she is listed as a defender, many fans have expressed a desire for Johnston to be given a chance at the holding midfield position, as the team has struggled to find a true No. 6 since Shannon Boxx was last a regular starter in 2012.

In the U.S.’s first game of group play, against Norway, Johnston made the best defensive play of the game when she knocked away a dangerous chance early in the second half to keep Norway from building on its early lead. Against Switzerland, Johnston had a number of important tackles and did well to keep the game in front of her through some excellent defensive reads.

Last month against France and England, Engen earned both starts in Rampone’s absence and played well. Now, with Johnston’s strong performances in the last two games, the U.S appears set at center back. Johnston’s performances will also increase the calls for her to be given a chance to earn some minutes at the defensive midfield position in the near future.

Offensively, Another Slow Start

Despite the 3-0 final score, the U.S. attack once again took its time warming up. Alex Morgan struggled to work her way into the game in the first half before picking up the opening goal after the break—a tap-in off an excellent Lauren Holiday free kick.

Since returning from two long injury layoffs over the past year, Morgan has shown flashes of brilliance but still has not fully returned to her dominant form of 2011 and 2012.

Christen Press started alongside Morgan up top, but also struggled early. In the fifth minute of play, Press had the U.S.’s best chance of the first half when Megan Rapinoe caught the Swiss defense napping with a quick throw-in. Press was initially in alone against goalkeeper Stenia Michel, but took too long to take the chance as defender Lia Walti recovered to break up the play.

In the second half, Press was pushed out wide when Amy Rodriguez came on for Megan Rapinoe. In the wider role, Press was more effective.

For her part, Rodriguez also started slowly. In the 47th minute, a loose ball in the box fell to her, but she struggled to control it and fired her shot over the crossbar. Then, in the 62nd minute, she missed the chance of the game, when Alex Morgan headed the ball across the face of goal. Rodriguez seemed to be caught off guard by the chance at an open net and couldn’t capitalize.

Finally finding her groove in the 72nd minute, Rodriguez capitalized on a strong run by Press down the left side of the field. Press’ shot was parried away and Rodriguez took a series of deft touches in traffic before finally depositing the ball in the Swiss net.

To finish things off, second-half substitute Abby Wambach scored on a nice chip to seal the 3-0 win. The goal was Wambach’s first in 484 minutes of play.

The U.S. will now face 20th-ranked Iceland knowing that a win will send it to the tournament final. Although all of the U.S.’s Algarve Cup games were originally scheduled to be televised, U.S. Soccer has announced that Monday’s game will now not be shown due to “inadequate lighting at the stadium.”

John D. Halloran is an American Soccer Now columnist. Follow him on Twitter.