It’s
not the final many would have predicted but it’s the one we have and
understandably, the world champions will be strong favourites. As I’ve already stated,
I think the USA will retain their title, due in a large part to the extra day
of rest and ability to adapt to the conditions.
Feeling the tournament
It’s
going to be hot, and although the Dutch will be okay, the Americans play
their season through the sweltering American summers with the likes of Alex
Morgan plying her trade in Florida and Carli Lloyd having spent a late chunk of
her career in Texas. Not to mention the extra time the Dutch will have to
recover from with a day less rest, the team not as focused on athleticism as their
opposition.
Although
the Oranje are European champions, they progressed through their home tournament
with tremendous support from a growing home crowd, getting better each match.
This summer, the growth of the team hasn’t been there and they’ll be on the
biggest stage, arriving with less than glowing performances, representing an
entire continent. Even if they had wrapped their semi-final up in 90 minutes
and were the team with an extra day of rest, it’s hard to see the team coming
out on top under that sort of pressure.
11 vs 11
However,
the match will still just be 11 vs 11 on the pitch. In starting Lineth Beerensteyn
in place of Shanice van de Sanden, Sarina Wiegman has shown more flexibility
than most thought she possesses, but it’s unlikely the coach will make wholesale
changes. The US have also, largely, been unchanged save for a tweak or two.
Although
it’s unclear how much Jill Ellis is willing to rely on Lindsay Horan, with Rose
Lavelle having tweaked a hamstring, she may have no choice to start Horan in a
midfield with Sam Mewis and Julie Ertz. The three in the middle of the park likely
to spend all 90 minutes sparring with Sherida Spitse, Jackie Groenen and Daniëlle
van de Donk.
With
both coaches more than willing to repurpose attackers and midfielders into the
defence, both teams should be looking forward to exploit the weaknesses that
come with being played out of position. Although the Dutch defence repelled Sweden’s
best efforts on Wednesday, there is a vulnerability at the back for the Oranje
and the combination of Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe and Tobin Heath should be
able to unlock the door.
The
key to gaining the upper hand likely not to be about pressing harder and higher
but staying compact and composed before unleashing a swift counter – something both
teams are well capable of.
