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U.S. Women Face a Familiar Foe in World Cup Final

And then there were two: On Sunday the U.S. women's national team will square off against the team it lost to in the 2011 World Cup final four years ago. John D. Halloran has the essentials for you here.
BY John D. Halloran Posted
July 04, 2015
8:35 AM

THE UNITED STATES women’s national team played Japan in a World Cup final four years ago, and it didn't turn out so well. The Americans took the lead twice, gave up the lead twice, and then lost in penalties. On Sunday the two teams will meet again (7pm ET, Fox), with the Americans looking to end their 16-year World Cup drought and bring back their first title since 1999. 

Here's what you need to know before the final.

THE JAPANESE

As eager as many were to criticize the U.S.’s relatively easy path to the finals, Japan’s path was even easier. In group play, the Nadeshiko faced Switzerland, Cameroon, and Ecuador—none of them world-beaters—and then got past the Netherlands, Australia, and England in the knockout round.

Japan has not won a single game in this tournament by more than a goal and has only one player, Aya Miyama, with more than a single goal in the entire tournament. (And both of her tallies were on penalties.) Japan’s knockout round opponents provided plenty of favors, making sure Japan wouldn’t see some of the most dangerous opponents on its side of the bracket.

In the Round of 16, Australia knocked out always-dangerous Brazil and in the quarterfinals England knocked out hosts Canada. In Japan’s 2-1 semifinal win over England, its two goals came from a penalty (in which the foul occurred outside the box) and an own goal from English defender Laura Bassett in the 92nd minute.

None of this is to suggest that the U.S. should take Japan lightly and no one makes it to the World Cup final on luck alone. Playing a standard 4-4-2, the Japanese team is organized, defensively disciplined, and plays an impressive two-touch possession game.

Heading into the 2011 final, Japan had never beaten the U.S. However, just as it has done throughout this entire tournament, Japan did just enough to earn the win that day and are fully capable of doing so once again.

U.S. LINEUP CHOICES

Throughout this tournament the U.S. women's team has struggled at times. It plodded, unimpressively, through the group stage and won in the Round of 16 over a feisty Colombian side in large part due to playing nearly the entire second half up a player.

In the win over Colombia, U.S. stalwarts Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday earned their second yellow cards of the tournament and were forced to sit out against China in the quarterfinals. Head coach Jill Ellis was forced to make changes to the lineup and, in doing so, stumbled across the U.S.’ keys to success.

Morgan Brian, replacing Holiday, was an epiphany against China and Kelley O’Hara looked bright on the wing in the place of Rapinoe. Then, against Germany in the semifinal, Ellis kept Brian in the starting XI by going to a 4-2-3-1 and playing Holiday, Brian, and Carli Lloyd all in the middle. That set-up, combined with a brilliant goal from O’Hara (who came in as a substitute against Germany), helped lead the U.S. to an impressive 2-0 win over the No. 1-ranked Germans and a spot in the final.

Against Japan, Ellis shouldn’t make any drastic changes. The U.S. backline of Meghan Klingenberg, Becky Sauerbrunn, Julie Johnston, and Ali Krieger has been fantastic all tournament, earning five shutouts in six games. Johnston and goalkeeper Hope Solo have also been shortlisted for the Golden Ball and Golden Glove awards (Sauerbrunn somehow missed out).

In the midfield, Ellis needs to stick with Brian and the three-player triangle in the center of the pitch with Lloyd floating just under Alex Morgan up top. Rapinoe, normally renowned for her attacking skill, showed an impressive commitment to her defensive responsibilities against Germany and should, obviously, keep her spot on the left flank.

If there is a change to be made, it would be on the right, putting O’Hara in from the get-go instead of starting Tobin Heath. But truth be told, it’s a coin flip between the two. Heath has demonstrated a much-improved work rate off the ball in this tournament, has a knack for creative play, and has a habit of finding Morgan in behind opposing defenses with perfectly timed and weighted through balls.

On the other hand, O’Hara’s energy against both China and Germany have been game-changers and her goal against the latter demonstrated her eagerness to contribute to the cause—whether it’s in the starting XI, or off the bench.

HOW TO WATCH

The game, to be played at BC Place in Vancouver, is officially sold out. But it might be worth the drive up and the price of a scalped ticket if you live in the Pacific Northwest. Watch parties are also being hosted throughout the country by various groups, including one by U.S. Soccer in Chicago. And, of course, you can always hook up with your local chapter of the American Outlaws to get that communal experience that makes soccer so special.

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

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