Will Japanese upstage US Women in FIFA World Cup Soccer?
The US Women face the Japanese in the FIFA World Cup finals soccer game on Sunday in an epic battle between the upstart teams in Frankfurt, Germany.
The last time the US Women won the World Cup was in 1999 at the Rose Bowl on Southern California.
The historic game brought us the likes of Brandi Chastain whose winning kick against China roared through TV sets across the nation. Her jersey stripping celebration was replayed over and over again and the whole team became celebrities.
This year's US Women's team is much different than the other team over a decade ago. A new generation of soccer stars including Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, and Alex Morgan now highlight the team.
There is excitement around the team, but it remains to be seen if the interest around the 1999 team will duplicate itself if the US win the game.
The US will play a Japanese team who is also surprised the world in making the World Cup finals after beating Sweden 3-1. The Japanese women have been underdogs throughout the entire tournament.
The Japanese soccer league is a non-professional league and many of the players have other day jobs.
The success of the team has reinvigorated the sport in the country. People in Japan are taking a lot of pride in their nation's team, especially after the devastating earthquake earlier this year.
The Japanese women have wide support throughout the nation as they come as underdogs again against the US team.
If the Japanese beat the US, it may be a moment for the Japanese people like the 1999 moment for the US women's team.
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