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3 things to know for the USWNT vs. Netherlands World Cup Final

By Clemente Lisi

(L-R) Alex Morgan of USA women, Steph Houghton of England women during the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 semi final match between England and United States of America at Stade de Lyon on July 02, 2019 in Lyon, France(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
(L-R) Alex Morgan of USA women, Steph Houghton of England women during the FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 semi final match between England and United States of America at Stade de Lyon on July 02, 2019 in Lyon, France(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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The USWNT is looking to win a fourth Women’s World Cup on Sunday against the Netherlands. Here are three things to know going into the final.

The Stade de Lyon will be the battleground for Sunday’s Women’s World Cup finale between three-time World Cup winners the United States and European champions the Netherlands. This World Cup has featured lots of great moments across France the past few weeks and the title match in Lyon is expected to be no different.

The USWNT, on a history-smashing run throughout this competition, will look to finish the job in Lyon and hoist the trophy for a second straight time. Here are three things to know entering the game.

1. Offensive depth chart

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it. U.S. coach Jill Ellis went with a 4-3-3 that featured Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath and Christen Press in the front three. Press, in for Megan Rapinoe who was nursing a minor hamstring injury, should get the start after her strong performance in the U.S.’s 2-1 win against England in the semifinals this past Tuesday.

Even if Ellis goes with Rapinoe from the start, there doesn’t seem to be a bad lineup combination here given the team’s depth. Indeed, the U.S. could field two full-strength teams at this tournament and both would be competitive.

Case in point: The midfield. The combination of Julie Ertz and Lindsey Horan has also worked. Look for either Rose Lavelle or Sam Mewis (most likely Lavelle) to join Ertz and Horan in that middle three.

2. Watch out for set pieces

The Dutch are masters of the dead ball and the U.S. backline will need to stay on their toes. One key will be to avoid fouling in the final third. Giving the Netherlands any chance at a free kick around the penalty area could spell trouble for the U.S.

At the same time, the U.S. will also need to use set pieces (and this is where Rapinoe is valuable) to whip balls into the box for players like Morgan, Heath and Ertz who are all proven goalmouth poachers.

For example, Rapinoe’s two goals off set pieces, a free kick and PK, were what downed host nation France 2-1 in the quarterfinals.

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3. Steady hands

Goalkeeping is key in every game, but more than ever in a final between two teams with lots of offensive weapons. U.S. shot-stopper Alyssa Naeher, after finally exorcising the ghost of Hope Solo in the semis, will need another massive game on Sunday.

Naeher hasn’t always exuded confidence at this tournament, especially earlier in the knockout stage when opponents got tougher. If the offense does their jobs and bags a few goals, Naeher will be the one called upon to defend that lead.

Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema has scored 60 goals in 79 appearances for the Netherlands, making her 0.76 goals per game average better than Lionel Messi’s rate for Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo’s for Portugal. For the U.S., Morgan may be the team’s biggest star (her tournament-leading six goals are proof of it), but it may all come down to Naeher’s abilities in the end.