Just inside the Portland Thorns FC locker room is a sign:
"Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think,"
I think this epitomizes the U.S. team’s road to the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup final vs. Japan.
Early in the tournament the U.S. team looked meek, predictable and lackluster but still managed to find a comfortable journey through the group stage. From that point, game-by-game the sleeping giant has awakened from its slumber.
In the semifinal, Germany found a team with a different formation, a brave coach in Jill Ellis, a quick thinking, technical midfield unit, and a smart tactical game plan that ran the Germans ragged.
The Americans took ownership of the world stage once again. Lauren Holiday, Carli Lloyd and Morgan Brian ran amok in the German midfield, while Thorns FC standout
Tobin Heath
and former Univ. of Portland star Megan Rapinoe caused the Germans major problems on the flanks. The U.S., playing a modern, hybrid 4-2-3-1 system with four lines of creativity and four lines of tenacious defending, never allowed the Germans to find any rhythm.
As we set the stage for the final the burning question is will the U.S. be able to manhandle the Japanese like they did the Germans or will the tactical and technical prowess of the Japanese overcome the odds?
On Sunday, July 5th, in the pro-American atmosphere of Vancouver, B.C., the U.S. will start as favorites. But don't let us get carried away. The Japanese are smooth, subtle and clever and have shown the ability to win tight games with all six of their World Cup wins coming by one-goal margins.
In Aya Miyama they have a world-class wizard on the ball and it takes one moment of her brilliance to possibly change the outcome of the final. Saori Ariyoshi, a candidate for the Golden Ball and former Seattle Reign FC standout Nahomi Kawasumi have been dependable, fiery and a revelation at times. The major question remains in goal: Ayumi Kaihori, who is in line for the Golden Glove, but she makes mistakes and looks uncomfortable on crosses. That could be the downfall especially if Heath and Rapinoe offer the same kind of service they did against Germany.
Comparing coaching styles is interesting. Ellis has been hounded by the press for her squad selection prior to the tournament, then questioned over her team selection in the tournament and finally bemoaned over the simplicity of the 4-4-2 formation she inherited from previous World Cup coach Pia Sundhage. But Ellis has stood up bravely and has been steadfast in her belief that the team will get it done in the end. She made a huge decision to change formation against Germany and unleashed Lloyd, enabling Brian and Holiday to find a rhythm and tempo not seen before in this World Cup or leading up to it. It was refreshing, exciting and courageous. Well done, Coach Ellis.
Japanese coach Sasaki Norio is the master of tactics and mind games. He loves the possession style game but England stifled the Japanese passing game and they struggled to play under the unrelenting pressure from the English team. Sasaki has to know Ellis will be pressing high and forcing Japan to kick. How will he adapt to handle this pressure onslaught?
Sasaki is a veteran. He will turn the tables on the U.S. They will want to win the ball higher up the field and then use their almost genius soccer intellect to break down the best defense in the world.
In fact, the two most acclaimed defenses of the tournament face each other in the final. The U.S. is almost impregnable with Becky Sauerbrunn and Julie Johnston offering the best central tandem partnership in world football. With Hope Solo in such great form it will be difficult for the Japanese to find a way through.
The midfield is evenly matched with technical ability, individual fortitude and intelligence on both sides of the table but up front is where the U.S. possesses the weapons to win the game. From
Alex Morgan
to Amy Rodriguez to Christen Press to Sydney Leroux to Abby Wambach, the U.S. strike force is jammed full of speed, strength and game-changing ability. Coach Ellis knows she has the tools and firepower whenever she needs it and that will be the difference in the game.
Two different styles, two great rivals, two brilliant defensive units, two of the best midfielders in the world in Holiday and Miyama, but there can only be one World Champion come Sunday night.
It's one of the most important weekends in the U.S. calendar, which represents every Americans right to live free.
If Coach Ellis continues to be brave and give the midfield the freedom they crave the U.S. will win the game and Portland Thorn FC superstar Alex Morgan will grab the winner and the U.S. will lift the trophy for the first time since 1999.
The women's game continues to expand and race across all the continents. In 2019 we will welcome the world’s best powers back to France where new dreams will be made and new ambitions met.
Generations to come will look back on this World Cup as the watershed moment in women's soccer. It's here to stay so get on board and get to a Thorns game.
The U.S. will lift the cup on Sunday and new superstars will be born. Enjoy the game it is going to be a classic. Special good luck to Tobin and Alex and we look forward to their return with a championship medal round their necks.
