United State women's soccer team midfielders Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday will miss their team's quarterfinals match against China in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. The two were handed their second yellow cards in the tournament that sealed their fate in missing the next game.

USA defeated Colombia during their Round of 16 knockout stage match. A second-half goal from Alex Morgan opened the scoring for the match, which was doubled only a few minutes after with a successful penalty kick from Carli Lloyd.

The victory will see USA progress to the quarterfinals to face China, who scored a 1-0 win against Cameroon in their Round-of-16 matchup.

While the team continues their quest for that World Cup trophy, the road towards the finals is not without any bumps.

Rapinoe and Holiday will miss the important match against the Asian powerhouse because of the new yellow card rule that was implemented during the 2010 World Cup.

Players who accumulate two yellow cards from the group and knockout stages will automatically get a one game suspension, noted Business Insider.

Prior to 2010, yellow cards given during the group stages were not carried over to the knockout stage. Also, only players who get two yellow cards during the Round of 16 matches will be issued a suspension.

This is not the first time that the new rule was implemented. In the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil, the same yellow card rule was applied.

Both Rapinoe and Holiday missing in action in the quarterfinals is a big blow to the team, which relies heavily on the opportunities created by these crafty players. The depth of the team's bench will finally be put to the test as the team face the Chinese squad.

The 29-year-old Seattle Reign FC player expressed her disappointment with the booking.

"I felt it was a little undeserving," Rapinoe told Fox Sports. "I think Cheney [Holiday] would feel the same way - hers even more than mine - but that's the way it is."

The 27-year-old player from FC Kansas City echoed the sentiments of Rapinoe.

"I think it was a weak yellow card, in my opinion," said Holiday to ESPN. "But I think we have a great team and we have a lot of people that can step up."

USA team captain Abby Wambach did not mince words when asked about the yellow cards both players received.

"It seemed like she was purposefully giving those yellows to the players she knew were sitting on yellows," Wambach said, as quoted by USA Today. "I don't know if it was just a psychological thing. Who knows?"

Meanwhile, coach Jiji Ellis expressed her belief that the other players in the team can step up their game even without the two key midfielders.

"I feel confident in the players we have to come in and contribute," said the coach.

USA will go up against China on Friday to determine which team will advance to the semifinals.