Women's Worldcup

U.S. LINEUP UNITED STATES’ FORMATION JAPAN LINEUP

NO. POS NAME Projected NO. POS NAME Projected 1 G Hope Solo 18 G Ayumi Kaihori 22 D Meghan Klingenberg 5 D Aya Sameshima 4 D Becky Sauerbrunn 1 4 D Saki Kumagai 19 D Julie Johnston 3 D Azusa Iwashimizu 11 D Ali Krieger 19 D Saori Ariyoshi 14 M Morgan Brian Solo 8 M Aya Miyama 12 M Lauren Holiday Goalkeeper 13 M Rumi Utsugi 15 M Megan Rapinoe 6 M Mizuho Sakaguchi 10 M Carli Lloyd 19 4 9 M Nahomi Kawasumi 17 M Tobin Heath 17 F Yuki Ogimi 13 F Alex Morgan 11 F Shinobu Ohno

SUBSTITUTES 11 Johnston Sauerbrunn 22 SUBSTITUTES Defender Defender 3 D Christie Rampone* 20 D Yuri Kawamura* 5 M Kelley O'Hara* 10 M Homare Sawa* 23 F Christen Press* Krieger Klingenberg 16 F Mana Iwabuchi* 20 F Abby Wambach* Defender Defender 15 F Yuika Sugasawa* 2 F Sydney Leroux 1 G Miho Fukumuto 6 D Whitney Engen 12 14 2 D Yukari Kinga 7 M Shannon Boxx 12 D MeMegumigumi Kamionomionobebe 8 F Amy Rodriguez 14 M AsAsunauna Tanaka 9 M Heather O’Reilly Holiday 21 G ErErinaina Yamane 16 D Lori Chalupnupny BrianBria 22 M AsAsanoano NaNagasagasato Midfielder MidfiMidfielelderder 18 G Ashlyn Harris 171 15 23 D Kana Kitahara 21 G Alyssa Naeher 7 M Kozue Ando * – Likely substitute * – LiLikkeelyly substitute HeaHeatth Rapinoe MidMidfieldfiel er 10 MidfieMidfiellderder KEY PLAYER KEY PLAYER

Lloyd Midﬁelder

133

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JAPAN’S FORMATION

17 1111

Ogimi OhnOhnoo Forward Forward

Morgan Brian Aya Miyama The 22-year-oldold's's willingg-- 8 9 She'sShe's ththee chief architect nesnesss to do the dirty worrkk of Japan's stylish passing defensively in the midfield game, able tto create has freed up Carli Lloyd Miyama Kawasumi chances for teammates and others to finally bring Midfielder Midfielder from the left wing or the the American attack to life. middle of the field. COACH 13 6 COACH Jill Ellis Norio Sasaki Throughout this World Cup Now in his sixth year in — indeed, throughout Utsugi Sakaguchi charge of the defending much of her 14-month Midfielder Midfielder World Cup champions, he tenure in charge — she has has overseen the team’s been hit hard by critics. rise from doormat to Time and again, they have powerhouse. Under his accused her of an watch, the team has nearly overemphasis on 5 19 perfected a fluid passing long-ball-oriented attacks, style that is the envy of and an overreliance on fans around the world. aging veterans at the 4 3 And if other teams don’t expense of developing a Sameshima Ariyoshi match his side’s skill, he new generation of stars. Defender Defender isn’t afraid to call them But Ellis has said all along out. After the semifinal win that she picks teams to suit Kumagai Iwashimizu over England, Sasaki said situations. The wins over Defender Defender through an interpreter that China and Germany might Japan struggles against just have proved her case, opposition “which is very especially the long-awaited powerful and has simple formation switch that tactics.” That might have caught the Germans off 18 been aimed at his own guard. If she makes the team, but it came across right moves in the final, her as a shot at the English — critics will have to eat their Kaihori and perhaps the words once and for all. Goalkeeper Americans, too. Three Keys For a U.S. Victory Keep the pressure Keep the ball Keep the faith For as pretty as Japan's playing style has been in the Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense. This may No team on the planet has the mental strength, will power, and World Cup so far, it was clearly rattled by England's sound simplistic, but it's incredibly important: The more sheer determination to win that the United States has. Those willingness to come right at them. The United States will the United States keeps the ball, the less Japan will have it. traits have helped this team reach its second consecutive final. do that even more than England did, especially if Abby And the less Japan has the ball, the less it will be able to Just look at the mind games Hope Solo played with Germany's Wambach is on the bench. Even the Americans' most work the wizardry that has defined its run to the final. Celia Sasic before her penalty kick in the semifinals, or Carli famous attacking stars, such as Megan Rapinoe and Alex Lloyd's staring at the ball for 103 seconds before her attempt Morgan, aren't afraid to press high up the field defensively from the spot. Mix that with enough skill to match Japan's style and try to force turnovers. — and a pro-American crowd in Vancouver — and it should be PHOTOS by GETTY IMAGES the right recipe to deliver the trophy.