"The best offense is a good defense"
If you have been following the United States Women's National Team during the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, you have noticed the brick wall of a defensive line which has not conceded a goal for 513 minutes and is led by potential player of the tournament Julie Johnston.
The United States have only conceded one goal this whole tournament, even after defeating the Women's FIFA World Rankings number one Germany 2-0 in a semifinal that saw the United States really put in a quality performance.
Even with Ali Krieger and Meghan Klingenberg pushing forward from their native full-back positions, Johnston and Becky Sauerbrunn have always been there to solidify the break into the offense. Hope Solo as a goalkeeper is a barricade of intimidation if the ball ever happens to get near her.
"Revenge is sweet and not fattening" - Alfred Hitchcock
The FIFA Women's World Cup final has become an immediate deja vu as it is a rematch of the 2011 final that saw the United States fall to Japan in penalty kicks. Not only are the United States coming in off arguably the best performance by a country in the tournament's history, but they are coming in very confident from that win against Germany. Abby Wambach, veteran, legend, and captain is nothing but determined to lift her first World Cup trophy. Along with her teammates, there is no doubt that they will put maximum effort into gaining that third star upon their crest.
Jill Ellis and the 4-3-3 formation
At the beginning of the tournament many questions were flying around regarding the overall performances of the squad and how manager Jill Ellis could manage the best formula to reaching the final. Nevertheless, the lack of creativity offensively at the beginning of the tournament was met with tactical changes that definitely got the job done whether earning a penalty or scoring a clear-cut goal. Alex Morgan may be frustrated at times but there is no lack of talent surrounding her that can help her own potential.
The Group of Death
The United States began the tournament much like the men did last summer at the FIFA World Cup in the group known as the "Group of Death". Given the name because of the highest average made by the ranks of each individual nation (USA, Australia, Sweden, Nigeria), the United States flew by quite easily against opposition which helped to get them sharp and ready for the remainder of the tournament.
Canada is not Germany
The United States will basically have a home crowd cheering them on at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver due to fans being able to travel easily across the border into Canada. The support from the American Outlaws adds extra confidence into every extra sprint and ability to perform. The United States really cannot make excuses about their surroundings and should be able to be comfortable in possession on the pitch.