Women’s World Cup Final: What You Need to Know About US-Japan
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FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images(VANCOUVER, British Columbia) — It will be payback time for the U.S. women’s soccer team on Sunday when it takes on Japan in the World Cup final — a rematch of the 2011 championship game they lost.
The teams will face off in Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium, where the Americans are hoping to win a third World Cup title. The U.S. previously won the World Cup in 1991 in China and in 1999 on home turf.
The U.S. reached this year’s final after defeating No. 1-ranked Germany 2-0 on Tuesday in Montreal, while Japan beat England 2-1 in Edmonton. The final is a rematch of the heartbreaking 2011 championship game the United States lost to Japan in a penalty-kick shootout.
Here are three things you need to know about the final:
1. Here we go again
The game will be the rubber match between both nations. In the 2011 World Cup title game, Japan defeated the U.S. on penalties after the game ended 2-2 following extra time.
The United States exacted some revenge a year later, beating Japan to win Olympic gold in London.
2. Playing defense
The United States is hoping to stay unbeatable at this tournament, having not given up a goal in 513 minutes. In fact, the team has only allowed one goal during the entire tournament — against Australia on June 8. The Americans won the game, 3-1.
Goalkeeper Hope Solo, 33, who received the Adidas Golden Glove award when Japan defeated the U.S. in the 2011 final, will be in front of the net again on Sunday. Although she has been tested little throughout the tournament, her experience and skill offer the U.S. assurance in the back should the lively Japanese offense kick into high gear.
3. Oh my Lloyd
Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carli Lloyd, 32, is not only the team’s captain, she’s also Team USA’s top scorer with three goals. Her well-executed penalty-kick goal against Germany remains one for the ages.
Although the goals are nice, Lloyd is looking to lift the trophy on Sunday night.
“I’ve just been training my butt off the last 12 years. These are the moments I live for,” she told ESPN. “This is kind of when I roll up my sleeves up and say to myself, ‘I need to step up.'”
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