The U.S. WNT is ranked No. 1 in the world, and a day away from a date with The Netherlands for a record fourth World Cup championship. The Americans qualified after reaching the semifinals for the eighth time, while the Dutch are in their first final.
Still there have been questions about this team, but after a 2-1 semifinal victory over England, those questions have been answered.
Former UNC Chapel Hill All-America Crystal Dunn had more than her share of doubters at left back. Perhaps the most versatile player in this World Cup….no make that in the world of women’s international soccer…..she was doubted as a left back. Question answered, her play defensively has been exceptional.
Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was on the team when the USA took the 2015 championship, but never got into a game. Was she up to handling the task four years later, replacing Hope Solo, who many credit as being the best ever to play in goal for the USWNT. With Solo watching from the BBC media booth, Naeher has been outstanding, making her share of outstanding saves, including one on a late-game penalty kick to preserve the win over England.
Against England, Megan Rapinoe was unable to go, sitting out with a strained hamstring suffered in a 2-1 quarterfinal win over host France. She scored both goals vs France as well as both in a previous 2-0 win over Spain, giving her five for the tournament. How would her absence impact the U.S. Team against the world’s third-ranked team?
No Megan, no problem. U.S. Coach Jill Ellis filled the spot with Christen Press. She could have started Carli Lloyd or Mallory Pugh, either of whom could start for any team in the tournament. Minutes into the game, Lindsey Horan gathered a ball from Kelley O’Hara and cross it to the far post where Press headed it in for the USA’s first goal. Another question answered.
The win over England was the USA’s 10th consecutive World Cup victory, going back to 2015. No team has ever won 10 straight. The old record was the USA’s five in 2015.
Questions asked and answered, but one more left to be answered. Germany is the only country to win back-to-back world championships. The U.S. has won three times, but never back-to-back.
Can the USA accomplish that by beating The Netherlands in the final. Chances are they have a yes for that as they have answered all the others.