David & Goliath Meet in Lyon for the Women’s World Cup Final

It has been close to a month since the Women’s World Cup began when hosts France eased past South Korea, 4-0 in Paris on the first day. The tournament has been packed with high drama both on and off the field as we find ourselves a couple days away from its long-awaited conclusion. The Netherlands and the United States will square off this Sunday, July 7th, in Lyon with each team hoping to bring jubilation to their countries and be remembered for years to come. To be successful at this stage both sides must block out the noise and focus on simply football.

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At the beginning of the tournament not many people thought this young side would be playing for a chance at World Cup glory. The Dutch side has a chance to turn many doubters into believers on Sunday, although at this point much of the media will question if the Oranje can keep up with the high-octane American side who are looking to become repeat champions. It would suit them well to use this doubt as fuel to power them past the US and pull off the unthinkable. The Dutch who are a younger team are no strangers to big moments after they took home the trophy at the European championship in 2017. This match might present an even bigger hurdle for the Netherlands, whether they will stand up to the pressure or be swallowed whole by the moment is yet to be seen.

As the top-ranked teams entering the tournament have been sent packing the United States have stood tall when facing elimination. It is no secret that the US were expected to make some noise at France 2019 after winning the last competition in 2015, but with teams like France and England in their way it was unsure if the US had the grit to return to the final. The US have faced and overcome adversity at this year’s tournament setting them up with a chance to become repeat World Cup champions. Amid Twitter arguments with President Trump and the criticism revolving around Alex Morgan’s goal celebration the United States have dealt with a lot of off the field drama. The US need not worry about any White House visit, or unwarranted backlash from previous games if they want to lift the World Cup trophy again. It is imperative for the American side that they stay focused on football and far away from anything else. The question for the US will be whether they let this background noise affect them and whether they overlook a dangerous Dutch side. While the US is heavily favored the Dutch have not lost a game in a major competition in almost 12 matches.

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Matchups

Most predictions will have a dominate US team winning the match on Sunday to become back-to-back World Cup Champions. The Rapinoe-less US team overwhelmed an England team that is know for their defensive prowess. A match that included two huge VAR interventions really could have gone either way, but in the end, it was the US and Alyssa Naeher who stonewalled the Lionesses to advance to their second consecutive final. Rapinoe who missed the semifinal with a hamstring strain is expected to play in the final and has been involved in team training since the initial reports of the injury. While Rapinoe has come up big for the Stars and Stripes her absence in the last match was hardly noticeable as her replacement Christen Press bagged the first goal for the US.

The Netherlands scraped by a tough Sweden team in unexpected fashion. The Dutch who have found success through their dynamic attacked led by a now hobbled Lieke Martens beat Sweden with a defensive effort that was one for the ages. Last gasp challenges and clearances highlighted their 1-0 win over the Swedes. The Dutch defense was led by Dominque Bloodworth, and Stefanie van der Gragt. In goal for the Oranje, Sari van Veenedaal has the ability to make the big save and she showed it against Sweden. She will have to come up big on Sunday for the Dutch to have a chance at World Cup gold.   

The US bolster an overall impressive roster with a potent attack this is enough to overwhelm any defense. With Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath on the front line for the US it is going to be a tall task for the Dutch defense to keep at bay. The front three bring skill and ridiculous speed that gives opponents fits. Specifically, Tobin Heath has been wreaking havoc down the right flank all tournament and becomes extremely dangerous when serving balls into the likes of Rapinoe, and Morgan. The Netherlands will have to defend with desperation to keep the US attack off the score sheet. The US must be mindful in the back as they are going up against an equally impressive Dutch scoring line including Shanice van de Sanden, Lieke Martens and Vivianne Miedema.

It will be interesting to see how two attacking minded sides come out for the final in Lyon. The norm for World Cup finals in both men’s and women’s matches is usually for both sides to play a very reserved first half. Considering the stage and the stakes teams are usually hesitant to flood numbers forward which risks getting hit on a counter-attack. It is hard to say, especially for the US who has earned a reputation for coming out hot. The American side held nothing back from the first whistle against England and it paid off when Christen Press gave the US an early lead.

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Prediction

If the US score early, I think that they will take care of business rather easily. The longer the game stays at 0-0 the better it will be for the Dutch. It is imperative that the Netherlands weather the storm in the first half from the US. I believe the US will be the aggressor like George Foreman against Muhammed Ali. I expect them to come out flying and with confidence against a Dutch side that is not as heavily favored. The question will be whether the Dutch can withstand the early pressure. If they make it to the half 0-0 I believe the chance for success highly increases for the Orange. Against all the odds, I am going with the unpopular pick of a Netherlands victory on penalties. If the US score early, I feel it will demoralize the Orange and make a comeback highly unlikely. I would say the Dutch score first, but with all the talent the US have, they equalize, and the game enters extra time at 1-1. The Orange use their conditioning to see it out to penalty kicks where Sari van Veenendaal comes up big to give the Netherlands their second consecutive trophy, and first World Cup.     

The Women’s World Cup will continue on Sunday, July 7th at 11am ET on FOX.