The U.S. Women's National Team will be looking to win their third straight Olympic gold medal today, while also exacting a measure of revenge, when they face Japan in the 2012 Olympic Final at Wembley Stadium (2:45pm, NBC Sports).
The Americans enter today's final undefeated in five matches, having survived a thrilling 4-3 extra-time victory against Canada in the semifinals. Alex Morgan's game-winner in the final minute helped set up today's rematch of the 2011 World Cup Final.
Japan started out these Olympics slowly, with a pair of draws and a win in the group stage, but victories against Brazil and France to reach the final have re-asserted their status as world champion.
Here is my FOX Soccer preview of today's match, which is clearly the USA's last shot at redemption after that penalty kick loss in the World Cup Final. The match could also signal the end of the final tournament Pia Sundhage spends as U.S. national team head coach.
SBI will be providing live commentary on today's match so please feel free to follow along here. As always, you are welcome to share your own questions, thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (LIve commentary is after the jump):
Questions for the Day:
Shannon Boxx a good decision?
Is Japan truly better?
Will Wambach (or anybody) get a straight red card?
Will it be a hero, a goat, or a bit of both that decides it?
man, our back 4 are really iffy at times
No. No. No. Probably.
Wow, the ref missed the handball. Wow.
What the eff was Tobin Heath doing on that free kick?! No need to risk that.
Lori Lindsey would have been a much better choice for this team. Shannon Boxx is not the same player she was 4 years ago. That was obvious at the World Cup.
No.
No.
More than likely.
Is Japan truly better than what? Than the US? If I’m not mistaken, the WNT is 24-1-4 all-time against Japan, and 2-1 against them this year. Not that Japan doesn’t have a chance, they’re a good team, but the US is better.
Don’t let Hope Solo hear you say that.
I doubt she did it on purpose, so I don’t think she really “risked” anything.
Well, there is the small matter of the beating them in the World Cup last summer. And getting through this tournament cleanly. I think it’s a fair question which team is better and if Japan happens to win this, then the would clearly be the better team.
We’ll see.
Lol @ Boxx … there is no way in #$%^ that she should be on the field. She literally takes 10 seconds to cover 5 yds of space. She’s killing them in the middle.
US defense is terrible lucky to be in this match with that back line. Peilbit and Beuhler are bad. Should be Japan 2 or 3-1
Boxx over Lindsey reminds me of Pia decision to start Amy Rodriguez over Alex Morgan in the last WC
Boxx kicks a 40 yard field goal it’s good.
Dear Abby:
Why do you hurt opponents all the time and how is it that you always get away with it?
Sincerely,
Everybody
Well, that was an exciting half. Scary for the US even though we’re up 1-0. But we had other chances too so this could be an epic 2nd half.
Give it a rest.
Sincerely,
Everybody
They won one important game. On penalties. Full respect to them, but it was a huge, improbable upset. The US has won every game this Olympics, while Japan didn’t even win their group; if Japan got through clean, the US is spotless! Japan is capable of winning this game, but I don’t think there’s any question that the US is the best team in the world.
nice.
My God, take that Botox-faced commentator of the air! She is disgusting!!
Fair enough. I just can’t stand the way she does it and she is SO good that I would love to root for her.
It’s strangethat most of the USA media and fans call the USA the best team in the world even though they have not won the World Cup since….1999!
Well, we do win Olympics and clearly do VERY well in the World Cup. If the US isn’t the best, then they are pretty darn close.
And results over 3-4 years ago are tough to use to assess current strength so really there has only been one world cup and we lost that one in PKs.
It’s not the media and fans that call the US the best team in the world – the rest of the world does, too. They’ve been number one in the FIFA rankings for the past three years or so, and more than half the time since the rankings were introduced. And unlike men’s soccer, the Olympics are considered an important tournament, and US has won three gold and one silver in the four Games which have had women’s soccer, and will win either gold or silver today. There is a reason why they’re favored in every game they play, and why it’s an upset when they lose.
Should have been a Penalty. US keep getting helped by Refs! Unfair really.
Buehler with her best Rafa Marquez impersonation on that free kick? I mean, the ref’s ‘owe’ Japan a call already.
To be fair, 70-80 percent of set plays probably contain one side fouling the other, being conservative. That said, it looks awful on replay.
I cannot take you seriously if you use FIFA rankings as your main argument. Are you one of those same people who always complain about those same rankings when the USA men are ranked so low?
Carly…awesome. Just perfect execution to shoot against the flow.
Unlike the men’s teams our women’s team get the calls. Just the way it is
Fine. Who is the best in the world then if not the US?
Japan and Germany
again.. just sloppy in the back. Terrible defending.
Took a while but Chastain said the great cliche! “A 2-0 lead is dangerous”
Germany who did not make this tourny and Japan who have a losing record to the US this year. Makes sense.
wow this is some horrible soccer
Germany? I’d forgotten it was still 1998.
Was that Boxx who totally dropped the runner (who had the assist) and then stood and watched the goal scorer (who was wide open less than 10′ feet away)?
US women play like the Men’s team. Speed and physicality but cede too much possession.
Man can’t even clear a ball just like in the Wc boot that MF!!
A great whiff by Bueller.
Feels like the WC getting your hopes up thinking your going I win …then Japan hits back
That’s twice that Alex should’ve passed the ball. C’mon girls!
wtf? Germany have won 2 of the last 3 world cups. You obviously know nothing. The USA is the best team in the…oh wait, its not 1999!
So who won the last World Cup?
what a save!
Both times she had two players wide open!
82′ – Hope Solo “Yeah, I’ve got that covered”
COME ON USA YOU CAN DOOOO IT!!!!!!!!!
Japan did… in penalties. So if the US wins the gold will they be the best team? I mean this will be their.. what? Third victory against them this year?
WWWOOOoooOOOOoOoOoOoOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Lloyd and Solo, Solo and Lloyd. Awesome.
What’s up with the stupid tshirts? Would much rather see the champ pics in the uniform!! Be proud to wear your colors!!!! effin Nike….
She was begging the Japanese player to go for the corner.
It was hardly my “main argument.” But you appear to be a fool, a troll, or a Canadian, so I won’t continue this conversation any longer.
To be fair our Men’s side has gotten the shaft by referees plenty of times so our women might as well get some help
Fool or Canadian.
Isn’t that redundant?
Happy I am
HOPE is a STUD!!!
So Happy for that girl, She’s been waiting her whole life for this.
Wait, you mean Pendersen’s NOT getting one?
Boy is she going to be pissed about that.
Nope, not what I mean
Must really sting for you right now, evidently
arrogant, ignorant, american; whats the difference? Good thing the USA got all that referee help the last 2 games or they woulda been playing for bronze today
How so, I’m not the one putting my career on the line for nothing more then a few Canadians cursing me out into the night. She DESERVES that gold.