Frankfurt, Germany. Sunday, July 17, 2011.
FIFA Women’s World Cup Final: Two stories. One dream.
Story 1:
Japan. A thriving culture devastated by unstoppable power. A once strong body now undergoing the most meticulous reconstruction. A country with ultimate strength and endurance with determination to heal.
Japan Women's National Team 2011
- The 2011 Japanese Women’s World Cup National Team, a result of this determination. A representation of the country’s immense strength. Ultimate tragedy decimated their shores damaging the entire Nation. The World watched as lives were lost. Amongst the destruction, ruin, and grief Japan immediately began their recovery. The team could hardly train but focused on fitness and unity. Four months later, Japan still has the World’s attention. They have turned to passion as a shining light at the end of a very dark and ugly tunnel. Heroic passion of the beautiful game.
Homare Sawa
We have seen a new Japan. Beautiful footballers take the stage as heroes and World leaders. The team, lead by 5x Women’s World Cup veteran, Homare Sawa, has shocked the world with their superior technical play finishing 2nd in the group stage, defeating both the German and Swedish giants. Japan’s strength is ball movement, simple & accurate touches, and effective flank play. I would argue that there are glimpses of the immaculate FC Barcelona in their style. Prior to the tournament, their weakness was declared as arial disadvantage. However, having defeated the two tallest teams in the Cup (Germany & Sweden) it hasn’t proven to be a huge liability.
Now, is the real test. The World Cup Final against the United States of America. The two sides have met 3 previous times this year, and 3 times in World Cup history. The USA has made it to the semi-finals in every FIFA Women’s World Cup and is back to the final for the first time since the legendary team of 1999. This is Japan’s first World Cup Final.
Story 2:
Following in someone’s footsteps is near impossible unless you’ve got the same size feet and trace the exact path. You’ve heard it, I’ve heard it and now everyone is saying shut up about it. The 2011 USWNT is NOT the 1999 nor have they taken the same path. It’s a different cast for a different time. The 1999 squads set the bar. They were the best our Nation has ever seen in Soccer- women or men- Olympic and World Cup Champions. The ’99 squad were trail blazers. They set the tone for generations to come… This generation. Naturally, the game has evolved on a Universal level.
Visualizing the Dream
Michelle Akers left heart, Mia Hamm her skill, and Brandy Chastain her personality and commitment; a legacy of powerful women, unified for TEAM and COUNTRY. The 2011 team has given new definition to “finding a way to win”. These women were born competitors into a system that supported female equality in education and athletics. They competed everyday of their lives for a spot on their club teams, state teams, college teams, youth Olympic teams, and now The National Team. The elite standard in which these women compete and train has been elevated. Not only are they expected to be technically the best but also superior in fitness. The fitness standard has pushed each and everyone of them to their ultimate physical limit. They surpass that physical limit and dive into a deeper, much more grueling, mental limit.
The capacity of which these ladies are physically and mentally capable enables them to endure through unified patience. Let an opportunity present itself and through skill they will capitalize. Need I remind you of the quarterfinal against Brazil? 55 minutes of 10 versus 11, an Abby Wambach extra time goal in the 2nd to last minute of play, and a brilliant save in penalties by their last line of defense, Hope Solo, to carry the team into the semi-finals.
Rapinoe & Morgan at Training
No less should we remember Super Sub Megan Rapinoe and her ability to change the game. She’s recorded 1 goal and 2 assists. She was the game changer in both the Brazil and France matches. When it seemed the French seemed to have ahold of the semifinal match, Rapinoe and Alex Morgan came in and changed the flow of the match….
No longer in the shadows of 1999, 12 years later, we might just have our Champions. It’s a new Era. A new game. And a new story.
Today’s Dream: Win the Women’s World Cup
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Who’s it going to be? Japan’s Heroes or USA’s New Legends?
Biting Nails,
xo Your USA Futblita
