USA vs. Japan: 5 Players to Watch in the Women's Olympic Gold Medal Game

After a lengthy period of speculation, followed by an action-packed tournament, the women's Olympic soccer final is set.

And what else would it be but a rematch of the World Cup final from last year?

Japan, the reigning champions, has once again overcome adversity (and added expectations) to march methodically back into the biggest game that the sport will offer this year.

Joining Japan will be the U.S., the most dominant and recognizable women's team in the game.

There will be potentially decisive battles all over the field.

Here's a look at some of the most important players on each team.

Christie Rampone, USA

In what will probably be the last big game of her national team career, Rampone may have to be at her best tor the Americans to prevail.

Her task will be difficult because of Japan's frustratingly effective style.

Instead of sustained possession in the method of a team like Brazil (who would pass the ball around again and again), Rampone will have to deal with lightning counterattacks.

Set plays will also pose a major threat to the U.S.

Her ability to cope with these two primary challenges (especially the counterattacks, as she's the faster of the two USA center-backs) will weigh heavily on the outcome of the game.

Miho Fukumoto, Japan

Fukumoto is obviously a crucial player for Japan, but her importance increases even more in the final.

The likelihood that the game will come down to penalty kicks is increased.

Even when discounting the threat of penalties, she will be called upon to keep two of the best forwards in the world at bay.

Standing at only 5'5", Fukumoto will have to rely on intelligent positioning and timely charges to tip the ball away from the head of Abby Wambach.

Controlling the American threat on crosses might possibly decide who wins the gold.

Megan Rapinoe, USA

At one point in the semifinal, it was Canada 2, Megan Rapinoe 2.

Her audacious second goal was particularly glorious.

Cutting outside of her defender, she curled the ball (with power, it should be noted) around the Canadian keeper, off the post and in the net.

Her best attribute, however, continues to be her crossing from both set pieces and open play.

And against Japan, Rapinoe and the rest of the American midfield will have to track back to keep Japan's surging counters from getting a numerical advantage.

Aya Miyama, Japan

Miyama is the Japanese Andrea Pirlo (or perhaps Pirlo is the Italian Miyama).

In either case, she is a midfield maestro, threading passes and orchestrating the flow of play for Japan.

An extraordinary player, Miyama has also proven her knack for turning games with her set piece delivery.

This all feeds into Japan's main strategy. If the team can get an early goal through a Miyama-fed set piece, it will be able to  play organized defense with 10 players behind the ball when it doesn't have possession and attack purely on the counter.

For the Americans, suffocating the space that Miyama has and limiting her attempts on corners and free kicks is a great priority.

Abby Wambach/Alex Morgan, USA

They both get named here, because together they make arguably the most potent strike partnership in American soccer history.

Both Morgan and Wambach will have to play at the very top of their respective games.

If the U.S. has proved one thing in this tournament, it's that when push really comes to shove, the offense has been the ace in the hole.

Against France, Team USA showed its firepower by scoring four unanswered goals in a come-from-behind win. The Americans trailed three times against Canada but were able to overcome each deficit and win 4-3.

I do not think that Pia Sundhage's team will shut out Japan. Therefore, the productivity of the forwards will be critical.

If the two American goal-scorers continue their prolific pace, the U.S. will be golden once again.

If they fail, or are shackled effectively by Japan, it will be a repeat of the final one year ago in Germany.