Japan v US

I'll just come right out and say it.

The US has been playing some ugly soccer.

It's mostly been route one, bypass the midfield, over the top, hopefully Abby can get a head to it, use brute force, tactics.

The thing is...it's working. It drives me batty, but it's working. They made it to the final.

Japan, on the other hand, has been playing some of the most beautiful soccer this tournament. Short, crisp, concise passing. Incredible build-up play, beautiful finishing. It's the best I've ever seen them play. Japan has been one of the best teams to watch in the Cup. However, they've never beaten the US.

This is a game the US should win. It's taken them too long to get here for them to say they're overlooking Japan. However, they better get their goals early and often. If they allow Japan possession, and the game remains close, Japan could get their first star, and they would have earned it.

C'mon US. Show me what you've got.