Recently in FIFA Women's World Cup Category

Head scratcher: Abby Wambach and the rest of the U.S. women's team were left to rue what could have been after Sunday's World Cup final loss to Japan (AP Photo).

You could talk about the jillion wasted first half chances the U.S. women missed in the first half of a World Cup final they would eventually lose to Japan.

You could talk about the coaching wisdom of having defensive players (Shannon Boxx?) step up first for the penalty kicks rather than strikers to put the pressure on the opponent in a pressure-filled situation.

You could talk about the fact the rest of the world has made significant progress in the women's game while the U.S. has in large measure appeared to tread water.

You could, but I chose not to in today's column.

For me the Women's World Cup was a welcome breath of fresh air in comparison to some of the men's games I've seen recently (and don't even get me started on the disappointing showings of the likes of Brazil and Argentina at Copa America).

Read the column here.

Look ahead to next year's Olympics and the prospects for the USWNT here

*Soccer in insignificant compared to the misery inflicted by earthquakes and other natural disasters. But the power of sport is its ability to inspire, uplift and unite as the Japanese well know in the wake of their magnificent World Cup win. I'll have more on the tournament in Tuesday's column.

*How much did this tournament capture the public's imagination? ESPN earned a massive 8.6 overnight rating for the game, its highest ever for any World Cup game, men or women's, according to Sports Business Daily. To put that in perspective, the network's previous overnight high was for last years U.S.-Algeria game - which came in at 4.4.

*Relive the World Cup final in Long Beach in pictures.

*Check out the beach soccer tournament in Long Beach last weekend in this picture gallery.

*West Bromwich Albion may not be an EPL power, but they are still a different class as the minor league Ventura County Fusion learned Sunday in Oxnard.

*Manhattan Beach-based Doxa Italia just missed out on the national amateur title this past weekend.

Updated

*MLS this morning confirmed the game day roster for the All-Star Game.

Is Japan.

And deservedly so.

World beaters: Japan celebrates its first World Cup (AP Photo).

Game story.

Pregame is at 11 a.m. on ESPN and kickoff is around 11:45 a.m.

* Preview

*Here's the latest from the WNT blog.

Earlier:

*U.S. grooves on unfamiliar spotlight ahead of World Cup final.

*The shadow of 1999 (and the Megan Rapinoe YouTube video).

* Japan's strength is its system, not stars.

*Has women's international soccer come of age on the World Cup stage?

High fives, high pressure: Abby Wambach, right, high-fives teammate Christie Rampone during a U.S. training session Friday ahead of Sunday's World Cup final (AP Photo).

There were virtually no American reporters outside of those working for ESPN - which holds the broadcast rights to the tournament - planning to follow the U.S. team at the outset of the World Cup.

The recession, a team that lacked the charisma of the Mia Hamm years and several poor results that resulted in the U.S. barely scraping into the tournament had all contributed to the lack of interest.

But as AP National Writer Nancy Armour points out, that's all changed now:

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- A week ago, there were so few people following the Americans they could hold their daily media sessions around a small table in their hotel lobby.

Now they need an entire ballroom.

The frenzy of attention surrounding the U.S. women ahead of Sunday's final against Japan is something they've never experienced before, and it has the potential to fire them up -- or heap even more pressure on what is already the biggest game of their careers.

"I don't think it's a distraction," goalkeeper Hope Solo said. "We've had the mentality from
day one that we came here for one reason. Our one and only goal was to win this tournament, and I think people are staying pretty true to that."

But the challenge gets bigger with each day.

The Americans are used to playing in relative anonymity. Oh, Abby Wambach gets the David Beckham treatment when she goes home to Rochester, N.Y., and Solo has a long had a lengthy list of admirers. For the most part, though, only the most diehard soccer fans could have told you before the World Cup began what position Megan Rapinoe plays (midfield) or what color headband Alex Morgan always wears (pink).

Then, with one thunderous header by Wambach, the Americans went Hollywood.

Fans back home are captivated by the team's grit and perseverance, and charmed by the players' personalities. And in typical American fashion, when the country gets behind a team, it goes all in. Hollywood celebrities and pro athletes are leading the bandwagon, and the U.S. games are now must-see TV. Even a little thing like work couldn't keep fans away, with Wednesday's semifinal against France -- played during the middle of the day back home -- drawing the fourth-highest rating of any Women's World Cup game.

Ever.

About 100 journalists from all corners of the world turned out for the team's availability
Friday, asking about everything from the first time Wambach headed a ball to Heather
O'Reilly's plans for her Oct. 1 wedding. No sooner had the media crush ended than the White House announced that Vice President Joe Biden's wife, Jill, and Chelsea Clinton are coming for Sunday's final.

"It's just amazing that this team has been able to capture the heart of America, because
normally we can't do that," Rapinoe said. "That's just been an amazing feeling. We're just
taking it all in. We don't get it that much, so we're living it up and trying to keep it
rolling."

To do that, though, the Americans have to stay focused on their original goal: winning the World Cup title. This is the Americans' first trip to the finals since 1999, the last time
they won soccer's biggest prize.

Win, and they'll be crossover hits like Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain. Come up short, and all that buzz they've been hearing will fade to silence.

"We want all those things that have happened within the last ... few days to be worth it and to be meaningful," Wambach said. "And the only way we can do that is to secure a win on Sunday."

On paper, at least, the Americans are heavy favorites -- and, yes, there is a betting line on this game.

The U.S. is a two-time World Cup champion, defending Olympic gold medalist and the world's top-ranked team. Japan has never made the final in any major tournament, and has yet to beat the Americans in 25 tries. The U.S. has a nine-game winning streak going in the series, including a pair of 2-0 victories in warm-up matches a few weeks before the teams left for the World Cup.

But this isn't the same Japanese team the Americans played in May, and they know it.

Japan stunned Germany, the two-time defending champ, in the quarterfinals, and then made easy work of Sweden, winning 3-1. The Nadeshiko have wonderful ball control and can hold possession for what seems like hours, and they've shown a nice scoring touch in Germany, too.

The Japanese are also playing for a greater purpose, hoping their success will provide some relief for a nation still recovering from the devastation of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

"They're playing for something bigger and better than the game," Solo said. "When you're playing with so much emotion and so much heart, that's hard to play against."

But emotion can overwhelm, too.

"This life, it's about competition. There's a lot of pressure and a lot of stress, and of
course the players feel the same thing," U.S. coach Pia Sundhage said.

Then, a smile playing across her face, the coach who is famous for her unshakable calmness and positive attitude said, "I just tell them, 'Slow down, you move too fast.'"

As reporters laughed, Sundhage sang Simon and Garfunkel's classic, "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)" -- the lyrics never more appropriate.

"Looking for fun and feelin' groovy."

MLS Bound? Would you like to see Nicolas Anelka suit up for the Galaxy? See story below (AP Photo).

*The massive, renewed interest in the U.S. Women's National team has prompted ESPN Radio to air Sunday's World Cup final between the U.S. and Japan.

It's the first time ESPN Radio has ever aired a Women's World Cup game. Coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. with analyst Tommy Smyth.

ESPN radio is at 710 AM in Los Angeles.

A total of 3.35 million viewers watched the U.S.-France semifinal making it the most-viewed weekday Women's World Cup match in the U.S. and the the fourth most-viewed Women's World Cup game ever.

*The Galaxy have apparently sold out of the lowest-priced $40 tickets for Saturday's game against Real Madrid at the Coliseum. Tickets priced at $50 are still available.

If you go, go early!

*Meanwhile, Chivas USA host the Red Bulls the same night in Carson, but it sounds like moody Frenchman Thierry Henry is getting a little testy with the American media (and he doesn't tolerate turf fields either).

*Your transfer rumor of the week has Chelsea's moody Frenchman Nicolas Anelka heading to the Galaxy or Red Bulls - but only on a free transfer.

*Former Chivas USA technical director Dennis te Kloese is busy recruiting Southern California youngsters and other Americans for Mexican club Tigres.

*The USL PRO Los Angeles Blues make their Fox Soccer Channel debut tonight with their game against Dayton airing live at 8 o'clock.

*Finally, want to win tickets to the Galaxy-Columbus Crew on Wednesday at Home Depot Center? Then donate blood to Children's Hospital Los Angeles (July apparently is a notoriously slow month for donations). The hospital is giving away two free tickets to the game daily in a raffle blood donors are eligible to enter through Tuesday.

Call 323-361-2441 or e-mail andradejac@chla.usc.edu to schedule an appointment.

You remember that famous 1999 World Cup victory, don't you?

Watch:

And it has cast a long shadow, as Associated Press Writer Nancy Armour points out:

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- Lauren Cheney was just 11 during the 1999 World Cup,
watching from the stands and imagining what it would be like to be on that field with Mia Hamm and Michelle Akers and Julie Foudy and Brandi Chastain.

Fast-forward a dozen years, and it's Cheney's turn in the spotlight.

And somewhere, there's another young girl watching.

"She's inspiring some 12- or 13-year-old girl just like she was inspired," Chastain said
Thursday. "That's what I love about this team, they're continuing the legacy."

That 1999 World Cup was a watershed moment for the U.S. team. All of women's sports, really.

The players were part of the first generation to reap the full benefits of Title IX, and they
took it one step further by making it cool for girls to play sports. They were adored by
little girls and boys alike, so famous the players could go by just one name. Mia. Brandi.
Foudy.

They packed stadiums from coast to coast -- and not small ones, either. Soldier Field. The Meadowlands. Foxborough. And the granddaddy of them all, 90,000-plus in the Pasadena Rose Bowl for the final. They won, too, beating China in a penalty kick shootout to give the United States a second World Cup trophy.

"We showed where women's athletics, women's team sports, women's soccer and soccer in general in America could go, and it was a tremendous event," said Tony DiCicco, the coach of the '99 team. "We didn't realize totally what was happening outside the event. But it was life-changing. I think it was life-changing for a lot of people, including some of the athletes on the current team."

As magnificent as the team's success was, though, it's cast a long shadow on everyone who's come after. Every U.S. team is compared to the '99 squad, and nobody's come close to measuring up. Sure, the Americans have won the last two Olympic gold medals. But the World Cup is soccer's biggest prize, and the U.S. hasn't even made the final in the 21st century.

Until now, that is.

The U.S. plays Japan in Sunday's final with a chance to become the first country to win three World Cup titles.

"I'd be tired of (the comparisons), too, if I was them. That's all they've heard for 12
years," said Foudy, who is now ESPN's lead analyst for the tournament. "What you hear from all of them is, 'We just want to forge our own identity,' which you can understand. Here's a moment that the country can embrace this team and wrap their arms around this team and they have defined it. Nobody did it for them.

"They've given this country such a reason to love them," Foudy added. "You couldn't have scripted this better for them."

This U.S. team isn't a polished, precise group that dismantles opponents, the way the '99 team was. The Americans arrived in Germany with three losses in a five-month span, what qualifies as an alarming "bad streak" for a U.S. team, and then lost a World Cup group-stage game for the first time.

But they grabbed their country's attention with one thunderous header by Abby Wambach in the 122nd minute against Brazil, and have continued to charm the folks back home with grit, determination and colorful personalities. Their bandwagon is packed with Hollywood celebs and fellow athletes -- not so packed there isn't room for more, though -- and one fan is so besotted with Megan Rapinoe he wrote a song for her. (Go ahead, check it out on YouTube.)

All these Americans are missing is the World Cup title, and they could take care of that on Sunday.

"It's cool we've completely written our own story," Cheney said. "Maybe we're not the
favorites. Maybe people doubted us. But we have pure hearts and determination, and we believe in each other so much."

And no one is prouder than the members of that '99 team.

"How could you not be proud of way they fought and found a way against Brazil?" DiCicco asked. "We have a chance here to be the first country to win three World Cups. We think the team is in good hands."

The core of the 1999 team was together for more than a decade, and those bonds have remained tight over the last 12 years. With Foudy, DiCicco, Chastain, Hamm and Briana Scurry all here working for ESPN, and Kristine Lilly turning up at games as a fan, the World Cup has turned into something of a reunion tour.

As they marvel at what the Americans are doing, they can't help but cherish their own
accomplishments all over again.

"Sitting down together and reliving stories and laughing, this is what I feel is so special
about the experience we had," Chastain said. "This is what these players will be able to do 10 years, 20 years down the line. It'll be a very special time in their lives. I love the fact
that they're going to say, 'We did that.' That's very, very precious."

Though the '99 players will always have a presence with any U.S. team, captain Christie
Rampone is the last one still on the field. She was still known as Christie Pearce back in
1999, just three years into her career with the national team. Now 36 and at the end of her career, she knows it won't be long before some youngster comes along eager to escape her shadow.

That's simply how life goes, on and off the field.

"It's been an honor to play for both teams. To start my career winning a World Cup and to end it winning one would be absolutely amazing," Rampone said. "It's been special to be part of both. I was inspired by the old girls, the veterans in '99, and now these young kids are inspiring me to get through this and win this one."

So, I couldn't resist embedding the Megan Rapinoe song mentioned in the article.

Enjoy:

Something to celebrate: Japan's inspirational win over Sweden has given the disaster-stricken country something to rally around ahead of Sunday's World Cup final against the U.S. (AP Photo).

Those who saw the 3-1 victory over Sweden in the Women's World Cup semifinals already know the disciplined Japanese approach is all about playing to its strengths and recognizing its limitations.

The Swedes, however, were either incapable or unable to recognize that, continually pumping pointless long balls up field the Japanese defense was easily able to handle. Good thing the U.S., under Coach Pia Sundhage, has eschewed the long-ball approach for a more possession-oriented style.

Associated Sports Writer Raf Casert has more on the surprise World Cup finalists ahead of the tournament finale against the U.S. Sunday:

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- Meticulous planning and execution are everything in Japanese soccer.

So when the team falls behind, there is a system to rely on, a belief there is still a
way to win.

Japan is in its first Women's World Cup final, and its quick passing could pose a challenge for the favored United States on Sunday.

Coach Norio Sasaki has been planning for this moment since the 2008 Olympics.

"In Beijing, we finished fourth and, at the time, it was our intention," Sasaki said. "This
time we said, 'Let's go to the final.'"

Then March 11 arrived. The earthquake and tsunami left nearly 23,000 dead or missing.

The club of national team defender Aya Sameshima, withdrew from the Japanese
league for the season. She eventually signed as a free agent, half a world away, with the
Boston Breakers in the United States.

The Japanese league was delayed by a month at a time when national team preparations were getting intense. But Sasaki knew his players' fundamentals were strong, drilled into them by the years of the hard training for which he is known. He had no doubt the team would endure in the face of catastrophe.

His team did more than that -- it thrived.

In the quarterfinals, Japan played a two-time defending champion German team boosted by a sellout home crowd. Hours before the start, Sasaki had his players look at slides of the devastation from March. Aya Miyama, the former LA Sol player, said the images touched everyone.

Against great odds, Japan won 1-0, setting up a semifinal with Sweden. This time, there was no need for photographs and shock treatment. Now the challenge was tactical, with the small Japanese facing the big Swedes.

On their 21-player rosters, the Japanese have only one woman taller than 5-foot-7, while the Swedes have only five smaller than that height. Many thought the Swedes would exploit that advantage. Japan won 3-1.

"We just paid a lot of attention and our coach told us to keep the ball low, not to play any
high balls," Miyama said. "That is what we did."

Sasaki says the key is ball control, good passing, team spirit.

"Everyone has to be involved," he said.

Japan, by far, has showcased the most discipline during the three-week tournament, and its dedication is never more evident than when the team is down. Sweden scored early, but Japan's approach did not change. It had been facing such games for years.

"We stayed calm and we decided: We are just going to do what we practiced, and if we do that there will be a good result," Miyama said.

Three goals eventually came, giving the fans back home something to cheer.

"Even little things, like a win, can give people courage and hope," Sasaki said. "And when we play the final, we are not going to think about the end result. We are just going to do what we can."

Rising sun: Japan, a nation that is a sentimental favorite of many soccer fans because of the recent disasters the nation has endured and a former lightweight in the sport, is now a legitimate World Cup contender displacing such former powers as China (AP Photo).

Associated Press National Writer Nancy Armour explores the new world of international women's soccer that can be summed up in one word - parity:

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- It wasn't long ago that you could predict the lineup for the final four at the Women's World Cup even before the tournament began.

The Americans were a given. The Germans, too. Brazil's been there to the bitter end in recent years, and Sweden or Norway were never a bad bet. This year? Not many predicted Japan playing in its first final and France making the semis.

"It's amazing to see a team like France, a team like Japan in the final. Germany knocked out. Brazil knocked out," U.S. midfielder Megan Rapinoe said Thursday. "It's amazing to have that (parity) -- and that we are still right there, at the top."

Yes, the Americans are the lone constant in this topsy-turvy tournament.

The world's top-ranked team, the U.S. is trying to become the first country to win three World Cup titles when it faces Japan on Sunday. This may be the Americans' first appearance in the final since 1999, the last time they won it all, but they've won two Olympic gold medals in the interim and had a two year-plus winning streak going until November.

"It is a great opportunity for us," Japan coach Norio Sasaki said after the Nadeshiko beat
Sweden 3-1 in the semifinals, their second big upset of the tournament. "It is going to be a huge opportunity for us and a big platform."

For all of women's football, really.

Back when Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Michelle Akers, and Kristine Lilly spearheaded the U.S., the World Cup often wasn't a fair fight. Some of the scores in the group stage were laughable, and the gap between the elite and the second tier was more like a chasm. In the first World Cup, in 1991, the Americans routed Taiwan (7-0) and Brazil (5-0) while Sweden romped to an 8-0 win over Japan.

Four years later, eventual champion Norway won one game 7-0 (Canada) and another 8-0 (Nigeria). Even four years ago, Germany gave an 11-0 thrashing of Argentina.

But unlike softball or women's ice hockey, where the rest of the world has failed to keep pace with the one or two dominant teams or had no interest in doing so, countries all over the world have been pouring money and resources into their women's football teams. The results could be seen clearly in Germany as, slowly but surely, the gap between good and great narrows.

There were few routs in the tournament, the 4-0 wins by Japan over Mexico and France over Canada the most lopsided of the matches. There were 19 draws or one-goal victories in the first 30 games, and the scoring average is down to just 2.63 per game from 3.81 in 1991 and '95.

"France is obviously a bit of a surprise but, when we played them, we gave them a lot of
respect in the locker room," said Abby Wambach, whose header in the 79th minute broke what had been a tense tie with France, which reached the semifinals in its second World Cup appearance.

"All of us were talking about what pretty soccer they played, how exciting it was to watch
their front four or five players. Not that we want to play like anybody else, but it was
exciting to see.

"This game has come a long way, a long way since '99."

And should continue to do so.

Colombia and Equatorial Guinea made their World Cup debuts in Germany. Though each exited after the first round, neither embarrassed themselves. The Americans had to win a playoff just to get a spot in Germany after being humbled by Mexico in qualifying, El Tri's first victory over its neighbor to the north in 25 tries.

"Sometimes, it's frustrating for us. If we don't smash every team or win every game, it's
like, 'What's wrong with U.S. Soccer? What's wrong with the women's side?'" Rapinoe said. "We see it as a good thing. I don't want to beat every team five-nil. I would rather lose a few games and have the games be much more equal."

At least the Americans made it to Germany.

China, a traditional powerhouse, failed to qualify for this World Cup. Italy, one of Europe's strongest teams, went undefeated in winning its qualifying group and it still wasn't good enough to get the Azzurre a trip to Germany. As for the Germans, not only did they bow out in the quarterfinals here, they won't be going to next summer's London Olympics.

Sweden, the 2000 Olympic gold medalist, got one of UEFA's two spots. The other went to France, which has never appeared in an Olympic Games.

"The growth of soccer has been amazing," said U.S. captain Christie Rampone, the lone holdover from the 1999 squad. "It's just amazing to see Japan in the final and the growth of soccer and support behind it. All these teams putting more effort and time and training. ... All these games are tight. You can see the pressure's out there. There's great goalkeepers, great attacking players, great defense.

"You don't see blowouts," she added, "which is great for the sport."

Winning Wambach: Another Abby Wambach header, another U.S. win. I believe she missed this attempt, but connected on another header and scored in the 3-1 U.S. win (AP Photo).

*Southern California stars shone brightly this morning at the World Cup with UCLA's Lauren Cheney getting the first U.S. goal and creating the second from a corner kick for Hermosa Beach resident Abby Wambach, while Diamond Bar's Alex Morgan added the third in the 3-1 semifinal win over France at the World Cup.

*The Galaxy and Real Madrid held a press conference Tuesday ahead of Saturday's friendly at the Coliseum.

*The Galaxy face the Sounders tonight in Seattle in the U.S. Open Cup.

*Chivas USA's next opponent - the New York Red Bulls - were stunned by Chicago last night in the U.S. Open Cup. The Red Bulls and Chivas USA meet Saturday in Carson.

*A rookie goalkeeper scored a stunning goal for the San Jose Earthquakes against England's West Bromwich Albion, which plays Sunday in Ventura against the PDL Fusion.

*Club America and Atlas clash tonight at 7:30 at Home Depot Center in Reto Aguila II. Tickets are still available.

*The USL Pro Los Angeles Blues, who have played most of their games in Orange County at Cal State Fullerton, have now edged even further from LA despite their name and will play their three remaining home matches at Norco College's Mustang Stadium in Riverside County.

From what I've heard it's a money-saving move as the minor league team bleeds red ink.

Updated

The U.S. will face Japan in Sunday's final. It airs at 11 a.m. on ESPN and Galavision.