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U.S. Women's Soccer Team Poised for Yet Another World Cup Championship
Written by . Published: July 15 2011
The USA women’s
national soccer team defeated France 3-1 Wednesday (July 13) in Monchengladbach, Germany to send them to the FIFA
Women’s World Cup Final, taking place this this Sunday (July 17) in
Frankfurt. This will be the first time that the U.S. women’s
squad has made it to the finals since their highly-publicized
championship in 1999. That team, led by renowned soccer star Mia Hamm, defeated China in the most-attended
women’s sports event in history with an official attendance of
90,185.
Let’s see if
this year’s squad of confident starlets can bring the trophy home
against Japan, who surprised most critics with their 3-1 victory
over slightly-favored Sweden.
Although the U.S. women’s
team boasts a talented roster of conditioned veterans, none of them
has had prior experience in a World Cup Final. Fortunately, the
squad has already played several hard-fought games in this year's
tournament and are confident in their ability to succeed on the
world stage. For example, the team faced heavy adversity in the
group stage against Sweden – the match ended as a 1-0 loss for the
red-white-and-blue. The U.S. then faced Brazil and stunned the soccer community
with a last-second equalizer by forward Abby Wambach in extra time that tied the game 2-2.
They then went on to defeat Brazil in a 5-3 penalty kick
shoot-out.
Check out the
highlights of the U.S.-Brazil match here!
Also, hear the
players react to their semi-final win over
France.
Despite some
difficulties on the pitch, U.S. goalie Hope Solo has
faith in her team. After their win over France, Solo said that she
expects a victory this Sunday: “The confidence comes from our
preparation,” she said, “And because we know we’re damn good.”
But how good is
Japan’s national team? Will they take the title and dash the U.S.’s hopes of another Women’s World Cup championship?
Although the U.S. is 22-0-3
all-time against the Asian nation, most critics would agree that
this year's squad is the best Japanese women’s team ever assembled,
and that their smart, possession-oriented style is incredibly
effective against bigger, stronger squads (as it was in their
tournament wins over Germany and Sweden). This could mean trouble
for the U.S.,
who has so far relied on late heroics to see them through this
year's tournament.
Still, the U.S. team is
known for their never-say-die attitude and heads into the final
facing a team they have confidently beaten in the past. Let’s see
who can pull out a win this Sunday in this 2011 Women’s World Cup
final!!!
(Image via
JD3/WENN)
- Myles
Sanford, YH Staff