USA Vs. Japan: 2011 Women's World Cup Final Predictions & TV Time

The 2011 Women's World Cup Final between Olympic gold medalist United States and Japan is scheduled for Sunday, July 17 at 2:45 PM EST. ESPN will provide TV coverage for this game. This will be the U.S third appearance in a World Cup final match and first since 1999. Japan will be making its first-ever appearance. This article offers predictions for the 2011 Women's World Cup final between USA and Japan.

1) USA-Japan Head to Head

Japan has never beaten the U.S. in any competitive match. However, the Land of the Rising Sun had also never beaten Germany before this year's World Cup quarterfinal, which it emerged victorious. For its part, Team USA is undefeated against Asian teams. American women are 3-0 this year against their Japanese counterparts.

2) Predictions for 2011 Women's World Cup final match

Sunday's final features two teams with contrasting playing styles. Japan is the most technical team in the tournament, relying heavily on a possession-oriented game. Japan's passing is both accurate and inventive, generating plenty of troubles in the opponent's box. The Japanese are surprisingly good at shooting long-range shots, and are also fantastic dead-ball specialists.

While the Japanese are masters of the ground game, Americans are superb in the air. As a matter of fact, most of Team USA's important goals in this tournament came from headers. This advantage will be even more pronounced in the final, as the Americans enjoy a height advantage over the much shorter Japanese. Yet, Japan has repeatedly demonstrated resilience against much taller and stronger opponents in this tournament. It would be a big mistake to discount Nadeshiko Japan.

Ultimately, it will come down to who wants it more. If Japan loses the final match, the country will still come out head high. If Team USA fails to win this game, it will be a big disappointment.

My predictions for the 2011 Women's World Cup final between USA and Japan: the U.S. wins its third World Cup by the score of 2-1; Homare Sawa and Abby Wambach share Golden Boot award.