Love ’em or hate ’em, you can’t deny the fact that the American women have dominated women’s soccer for more than 20 years. Their last meaningful loss came at the 2011 Women’s World Cup in Germany, when Japan shocked them with late tying goals in both regulation and extra time, then ultimately won on penalties.
US midfielder Tobin Heath goes one on one with her counterpart Homare Sawa during a 5-2 win over the defending champion Japanese in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Meghan Klingenberg looks goalward during a 5-2 win over the defending champion Japanese in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Meghan Klingenberg gives her teammates directions during a 5-2 win over the defending champion Japanese in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
US goalkeeper Hope Solo dives for the ball during a 5-2 win over the defending champion Japanese in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Defender Becky Sauerbrunn looks upfield during the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
US defender Becky Sauerbrunn battles Japanese forward Yuika Sugasawa for a header during the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Defender Becky Sauerbrunn clears the ball as goalkeeper Hope Solo looks on during the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Ali Krieger keeps close tabs on forward Yuki Ogimi during the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. The United States won their third championship trophy with a 5-2 thrashing of the defending champion Japanese. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
USA midfielder Lauren Holiday escapes the slide tackle of her Japanese counterpart Mizuho Sakaguchi during a 5-2 win in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Julie Johnston celebrates an early goal, as the United States score four goals against Japan in the first 16 minutes of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final and win by a score of 5-2. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Julie Johnston and Becky Sauerbrunn celebrate an early bloodbath, as the United States score four goals against Japan in the first 16 minutes of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Ali Krieger keeps close tabs on forward Yuki Ogimi during the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. The United States won their third championship trophy with a 5-2 thrashing of the defending champion Japanese. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Forward Yuki Ogimi provided the lone bright spot for the Japanese with an impressive first half strike, but her squad dropped a 5-2 decision to the United States in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final at BC Place in Vancouver. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Japanese midfielder Mizuho Sakaguchi moves the ball forward during a 5-2 loss to the United States in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup final at BC Place in Vancouver. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
The 2015 team started this tournament in lacklustre fashion, but turned it on in the semis and final game. They struck four times in the first 16 minutes in Vancouver, embarrassing the Japanese defense with intense play and raw will in the box. The fourth goal, which capped a hat trick for midfielder Carli Lloyd, was a cheeky chip shot from centre field, as keeper Ayumi Kaihori was caught well off her line shouting directions at her team when they turned over the ball.
It was an odd performance by the Japanese, who looked uncharacteristically rattled by the raucous US-dominated crowd.
More later, notably when Russell and I chat the Women’s World Cup this upcoming Wednesday on the radio show. Check out CIVL Radio, or the podcast later in the week for that riveting discussion!
