USA Women's World Cup Team Headed to Championship

By Christy Flom on July 1, 2015

Heading to a successive championship game in the Women’s World Cup, USA managed to keep Germany at bay Tuesday night in the semifinals to slide to a 2-0 win. After losing in the last world cup to Japan on penalty shots, USA is looking for an outright win this year.

With a strong group of veteran players on team USA’s roster such as striker Alex Morgan, goalie Hope Solo, and midfielder Carli Lloyd, there were and still are high expectations and hopes surrounding the team’s chances to win the cup.

So, as the team rests up for the championship game that will take place on Sunday, July 5, let’s take a look back at the road team USA traveled to make it this far.

First, USA played three teams in the first round. They beat Australia 3-1, and Nigeria 1-0, while tying Sweden 0-0. Luckily, the tie did not hinder USA as the team’s wins earned USA enough points to advance to the Round of 16.

Then, USA beat Columbia 2-0 to advance to the Quarterfinals. While they pulled off the win with goals from Morgan and Lloyd, this game was almost very costly for USA. Two yellow cards ended up preventing Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday from playing in the next game, the quarterfinals, against China.

Despite being down two key players, USA prevailed against China with Lloyd coming up once again with the goal by heading in a cross from Julie Johnston. USA managed to prove their ability to work as a team as they held onto a 1-0 lead to finish the game and advance to the semifinals.

Tuesday night’s semifinal game was perhaps the most anticipated game of the whole tournament. As a showdown between the top two ranked teams, fans that tuned in got the exciting game they had been hoping for after all. Lloyd continued her streak of scoring by knocking in a penalty kick after Morgan was fouled sprinting towards the goal.

Then, after Germany’s starting goalie was forced to leave the game, Kelly O’Hara pounded the ball into the back of the net against Germany’s third string goalie off a pass back from Lloyd to secure the win. While both teams missed other close opportunities to score, Germany could not get past the back line or Solo in the net.

In order for USA to win the cup on Sunday, there will need to be exceptional moments from a wide spectrum of players. Center defender Julie Johnston will need to continue to be a wall, but Hope Solo will need to be prepared for anything to happen. Solo has had a relatively easy ride to the championship game without being repeatedly tested in each game. With everything at stake now, the back players will need to be at their best for every second of the game.

Image via DasWortgewand on pixabay.com

Next, Morgan and Lloyd will need to have stellar games as well. Lloyd has been a huge inspiration to the team so far in each game, and will need to gain more opportunities to score in this final match. Morgan has one lone goal in the World Cup and while she has taken the hit for multiple penalty kick opportunities while still recovering from previous injuries, she will need to be a constant and steady presence. With her speed and finishing skills, any defense will have trouble containing her up top.

Team USA has some deadly players and together they create a formidable opponent for any country. If USA were to win next week, it would be the first time they have won the World Cup since 1999 when the USA won on penalty kicks 5-4.

The USA Women’s team won the Olympics in 2012 with a similar roster of players. With several days of rest, the final matchup should be a great game, with USA coming out with the win to take home the World Cup again.

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