2019 Women’s World Cup Final: USA vs. Netherlands

It all comes down to this. From their first game against Thailand almost a month ago, the US Women’s National Team has appeared to be on a mission. This morning, that mission comes to an end, win or lose, in the 2019 Women’s World Cup Final against the Netherlands at 8 am PT.

The good news for Team USA is that both former Bruin Samantha Mewis and team captain Megan Rapinoe are back in the lineup for this morning’s game. Of course, Abby Dahlkemper will also be on the pitch for the US today as the Americans look to repeat as Women’s Word Cup champions.

But the USWNT will face a tough Netherlands team and they cannot underestimate their opponents as they beat New Zealand, Cameroon, and Canada in the group phase and Japan, Italy and Sweden in the knockout phase to get to today’s final. So, like the US, the Netherlands has been battle-tested coming into today’s final.’

The most telling match might have been their semifinal game against Sweden. Sweden fought Team USA hard in their last game of the group phase while the Swedes fought the Netherlands to a 0-0 tie during regulation with the Netherlands winning 1-0 in extra time.

So, today’s game will undoubtedly be a hard fought match. Can the US defend their title today?

Well, the US is looking to “defend their title.” Instead, the team is taking the approach of attacking to take title. That shows an aggressiveness that we’ve seen for almost the entire tournament. The only possible exception to that was in their quarterfinal game against France where it seemed like the US could have been more aggressive.

So, who wins today’s title? You’re crazy if you think I’m going to pick against the USWNT. My prediction is a 2-1 US win, but it’s also possible that this game could end up going to extra time or even a shootout. Even if it does come down to that, the USWNT still prevails and the three former Bruins Sam Mewis, Abby Dahlkemper and Mal Pugh along with former UCLA coach Jill Ellis should come home as champions.

This is your 2019 Women’s World Cup Final open thread.



Go Bruins!!!