Missing some international soccer action after last year’s World Cup? Fear not as the best women’s soccer teams in the world go head-to-head at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. Team USA enters the tournament as the favorites to win after suffering a shock defeat at 2011’s World Cup final. Germany are not too far behind as one of international women’s soccer powerhouses.
But what makes this tournament so interesting is the presence of plenty of dark horses to win it all. Read on as we take a look at six teams to watch out for at the tournament. Looking to get in even deeper into this tournament? Check our our collection of expert picks here.
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2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Preview
Favorites – USA and Germany
It’s a two-way race at the top of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup with USA and Germany both fielding championship-caliber teams.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]USA (+250) are one of the two top teams in women’s international soccer with two World Cup titles to their name. The Stars and Stripes booked their entry into this year’s World Cup after winning the CONCACAF Women’s Championship in 2014, scoring 21 goals and conceding none. USA will be even more motivated to win their third World Cup title after suffering an upset, shootout loss to Japan in the 2011 World Cup final.
USA are solid all throughout the field. Veteran defender Christie Rampone ensures that USA’s back line keeps their opponents away; Abby Wambach is a goal-scoring threat with 180 goals and 72 assists in 241 caps; and Hope Solo is a solid goaltender with a record 77 shutouts in international competition.
Germany (+400) are the other team with two World Cup titles under their belt. They have the perfect blend of young and experienced talent in their team. Former World Player of the Year Nadine Angerer, Celia Sasic and Anja Mittag provide a solid backbone to the team. Angerer is a solid keeper, while Sasic (57 international goals) and Mittag (33 goals) provide the necessary firepower to win Germany games.
Sleepers – Japan and Canada
Japan are comfortable being +900 underdogs heading into Canada. They were in this position four years ago when they won the 2011 World Cup as underdogs beating the highly favored USA in the final. The Nadeshiko will have plenty more confidence heading into this year’s World Cup as the defending champions. They’re also on a high after winning their first ever Women’s Asian Cup in May 2014.
Nadeshiko don’t have an acclaimed super star to lead the team. But they’re always tough outs due to their emphasis on teamwork and unity. Much like their men’s team, Japan have a rich midfield to thank for their success. This midfield group is led by Homare Sawa, playing in her record sixth World Cup. She has 82 goals in 186 caps.
Don’t discount the hosts in the 2015 World Cup. Canada (+1,400) have shown that they can be competitive even against the world’s best. They won the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics and were clinical in winning the gold at the 2011 Pan-Americans.
Christine Sinclair will be Canada’s main attacking threat with 153 goals scored on 222 caps. She has a handful of crafty midfielders to help her out in Diana Matheson, Kaylyn Kyle, Sophie Schmidt and Brittany Baxter. Canada will also benefit from a very manageable group featuring China, Netherlands and New Zealand, all far from the level of international soccer powers.
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Long Shots – Switzerland and Nigeria
Switzerland are made up of a core of experienced players, none greater than Ramona Bachmann. She scored a total of eight goals as La Nati went on an unbeaten run (7-0-1) in qualifying for the World Cup. Bachmann is a bulldozing forward capable of fighting her way past defenders, like a female version of the Swiss men’s team’s Xherdan Shaqiri.
If Switzerland are to get past their opponents, it’ll be through Bachmann. She has 32 goals in 59 caps. Switzerland are +8,000 to win the World Cup.
While Switzerland are led by an excellent veteran in Bachmann, Nigeria (+15,000) have a very solid team full of young talent. They secured their trip to the 2015 World Cup by winning the ninth African Women’s Championship in October, winning all five matches. Nigeria won all five matches they played, scoring 16 goals while conceding just three.
The Super Falcons will be a live threat in the upcoming Women’s World Cup with their all-out offense led by two devastating forwards in Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala. The two combined to score nine of Nigeria’s goals in the African Women’s Championship.
While the two are just each 20 years of age, they’ve had plenty of experience under the bright lights. Oparanozie represented Nigeria at the 2011 Women’s World Cup, 2010 and 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and 2008 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. Meanwhile, Oshoala played in the past two U-20 World Cups, most recently winning the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards at Canada 2014.
