
Dave Clarke is the Head Women's Soccer Coach at Quinnipiac University and a member of the US National Coaching Staff. He also has worked with the Republic of Ireland Women's National team and with Connecticut Football Club. He writes a weekly column for Soccer Banter entitled 'Extra Time'.
It has been interesting to watch this tournament unfold and how it has opened up for the US team. Pia Sundhage and her players will be massively disappointed if they fail to win the World Cup now.
They may be slight favorites, but I am not sure how much that is based on history as opposed to current form. Yes, the US beat Japan in a recent friendly, but that game will have no bearing on the final. The Japanese come into the game with a more impressive run of results and the greatest scalp of all is now just 90 minutes from their grasp.
Japan's deserved win over Germany finally rid them of their inferiority complex. Against Sweden they looked superior in all departments and there is now real belief in the squad that they can beat the Americans.
Japan are a better footballing team than the US and would be worthy champions. Their success would be great for the women's game in general although the US may disagree with that premise.
The game is a toss up and can go either way with extra time and penalties a possibility. Japan will dominate possession and may wear the US down which could be a factor in the final outcome. However, I think the team that scores first will go on to win the game.
I won't rule out the US, but I have a sneaking feeling that Japan has come of age and will take the final step to greatness in Frankfurt on Sunday night.
It has been interesting to watch this tournament unfold and how it has opened up for the US team. Pia Sundhage and her players will be massively disappointed if they fail to win the World Cup now.
They may be slight favorites, but I am not sure how much that is based on history as opposed to current form. Yes, the US beat Japan in a recent friendly, but that game will have no bearing on the final. The Japanese come into the game with a more impressive run of results and the greatest scalp of all is now just 90 minutes from their grasp.
Japan's deserved win over Germany finally rid them of their inferiority complex. Against Sweden they looked superior in all departments and there is now real belief in the squad that they can beat the Americans.
Japan are a better footballing team than the US and would be worthy champions. Their success would be great for the women's game in general although the US may disagree with that premise.
The game is a toss up and can go either way with extra time and penalties a possibility. Japan will dominate possession and may wear the US down which could be a factor in the final outcome. However, I think the team that scores first will go on to win the game.
I won't rule out the US, but I have a sneaking feeling that Japan has come of age and will take the final step to greatness in Frankfurt on Sunday night.