USA was clinical in dispatching no. 1 ranked Germany, 2-0, in their semifinal clash on Tuesday. Japan lucked into the final after England conceded an own goal in the final minute of stoppage time to set up a highly-anticipated rematch of the 2011 World Cup Final. The Japanese walked away as the 2011 World Cup champions after beating the Americans by penalty kicks.
Can the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) get their revenge? Or will Japan win back-to-back World Cups? Read on as a panel of experts sound off on their picks. Don’t be a fish out of water when the Women’s World Cup final kicks off. Find everything you need to know heading into the big match with our complete preview for USA vs. Japan.
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Experts’ Picks and Predictions for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final USA vs. Japan
Bleacher Report
Expert
Champion
Joe Pantorno
USA
Joe Pantorno of Bleacher Report predicts that the United States wins its record third World Cup by defeating Japan in the final. He notes that it’ll be crucial for the USWNT to have a quick start to control the pace of the match. Controlling the pace should help disrupt Japan settling into its system. The United States has a loaded roster with plenty of talent spread all across the field.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Hope Solo is an amazing goaltender who leads all goalies (who’ve played in more than one match) with a 92.3 save percentage. But Solo has faced just 12 shots in six games, and has not allowed a goal since the very first match of the tournament due to a stellar backline led by Julie Johnston. This combination of Johnston at center back and Solo at the last line of defense held the tournament’s best scorers, the Germans, goal-less in their semifinal clash.
Alex Morgan should be a strong player up top, while a pair of midfielders in Carli Lloyd and Megan Rapinoe should help ensure the United States keeps pressuring the Japanese. The midfield tandem of Lloyd and Rapinoe should be enough to bring the United States its third World Cup.
Sports Chat Place
Expert
Champion
Randy Chambers
USA
Sports Chat Place’s Randy Chambers is also on the United States bandwagon ahead of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. Chambers believes that the USWNT just has too many weapons to help seal that all-important World Cup-clinching goal. Lloyd leads the team with three goals; Rapinoe is a step behind with two goals, while Johnston is an excellent playmaker with an assist and seven shots.
Japan should make it tough for the Americans to win their third World Cup. Japan relies on its incredible defense, allowing just two goals in its last four matches, and all of Japan’s matches at this year’s World Cup have been decided by just one goal. But the Americans have too much firepower, which Chambers believes is enough to win the match.
USA Today
Expert
Champion
Mark Rogers
USA
Mark Rogers of USA Today must be smiling right about now. His pre-tournament prediction of a USA vs. Japan final will be played in just a few short days. Rogers believes that the United States’ excellent defense should lead to their third World Cup. The USWNT has only conceded once in the entire tournament, and that was back in their very first match.
The Americans also happen to have a blistering offense which could dominate a Japanese side content to sit back and wait for mistakes to capitalize on. This offense should help the United States crack the Japanese puzzle en route to the World Cup.
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