United States vs. Japan: Latest Form Guide, Reaction Before 2015 World Cup Final

Although there are some who would deny both United States and Japan have been the best two teams at this World Cup—supporters of France, Germany and England may argue that—there’s no doubt that since these two illustrious women’s football nations met in the 2011 final, they’ve been the most dominant forces in the game.

The United States earned some revenge after Japan beat them in 2011 with an Olympic win the following year, but there’s a sense that there’s still work to be done by this group of players before those scars fully heal over.

Bleacher Report's Michael Cummings gave us his view on the finalists:

With that in mind, here’s a reminder of how both teams have fared in this competition so far and a closer examination of how this final is likely to play out.

United States	Match	Japan
W (3-1 vs. Australia)	Group Stage	W (1-0 vs. Switzerland)
D (0-0 vs. Sweden)	Group Stage	W (2-1 vs. Cameroon)
W (1-0 vs. Nigeria)	Group Stage	W (1-0 vs. Ecuador)
W (2-0 vs. Colombia)	Round of 16	W (2-1 vs. Netherlands)
W (1-0 vs. China)	Quarter-Final	W (1-0 vs. Australia)
W (2-0 vs. Germany)	Semi-Final	W (2-1 vs. England)

Japan Underdogs Against Star-Studded USWNT

Elsa/Getty Images

It’s not often that footballers get the chance to exact revenge on an opponent for a final defeat, especially when it comes to a World Cup. So for these United States players, this game represents a massive opportunity.

A core of the current squad was left heartbroken in Germany four years ago after penalty shootout agony, and as we can see here courtesy of Fox Sports 1, America’s star midfielder Carli Lloyd is itching to get going:

It’s easy to see why. While the USWNT struggled for tempo in its initial games, it has steadily crept through the gears in the knockout stages. And although the U.S. could have easily fallen behind against Germany last time out, Jill Ellis’ players were calm and collected throughout a frantic semi-final.

Elsa/Getty Images

While these players are all talented, it’s these mental traits that bode well for the final and is something Ellis herself has picked up on, courtesy of the team’s official Twitter feed:

Japan must make big improvements from their semi-final if they are to retain their trophy. England bullied the 2011 winners for long spells on Wednesday evening, creating much better opportunities throughout the match. In the end, profligacy from the Lionesses and a huge stroke of good fortune helped Japan into the final.

As noted by Gregg Davies of FourFourTwo, for all their possession, Japan failed to make much of an impact in the final third:

"

Absolute sickener. Ridiculous way to lose a match of such magnitude. #JPN underwhelming in final third again. Bring on the Germans #ENG

— Gregg Davies (@GreggDavies) July 2, 2015"

That simply must change against a United States outfit that’ll be a step up in class for the holders. While England were unable to capitalise fully on some sloppy bits of play, with attacking talent such as Lloyd and Alex Morgan set to start, the USWNT will not be so generous.

Indeed, as we can see here courtesy of OptaJoe, England’s goalkeeper was barely tested in the semi-final:

Japan are capable of winning this game. At their best, they move opponents around the pitch with sharp passing, biding their time and then dissecting chinks in a team’s armoury with forensic accuracy. It’s something we were witness to in earnest against Australia in the quarter-finals, but England may have provided the USWNT with the perfect blueprint to beat the holders.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Indeed, all omens seem to point toward a win for the Americans, as we can see here courtesy of SportsCenter:

Press at opportune moments, stay compact and exert yourselves physically; that’s likely to be the modus operandi of the United States.

With a solid defence in situ, the attacking players in this side can press and play with freedom in the final. Deploying these tactics with distinction will see the USWNT smother its opponents, and Japan, who looked a little drained in their last match, will eventually crumble before the United States’ industrious and effective playing style.

Prediction: United States 2-0 Japan