There are just two teams left standing at the 2019 Women’s World Cup, and they are set to square off on Sunday from Paris. The United States Women’s National Team was expected to make it to the final, but they are facing a surprising team. The Netherlands has put together a terrific run so far through this tournament and will take its shot at knocking off the favorite in this match.
The Netherlands has yet to lose a game so far in the Women’s World Cup, but things haven’t always been easy for them. The Dutch team has won several one-goal games, including a 1-0 victory over Sweden in the semifinal round. The USWNT has been much more dominant during its run, but things have tightened up a bit of late. The United States survived an upset scare from England in the semifinal round. The USWNT is -275 to win the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
United States Has Plenty of Depth
Depth has been a strength for the United States team throughout its run at the World Cup, and that was evident in the semifinal win. Megan Rapinoe was forced to miss that game with an injury, but her replacement, Christen Press, scored one of the two goals. Rapinoe has tallied five goals so far in this tournament and does expect to play in the World Cup Final on Sunday.
Alex Morgan had been held in check throughout the knockout round, but she got back in the scoring column in the 2-1 win over England. Morgan leads all players in the World Cup with six goals so far and is a key piece of the USWNT. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher hasn’t been tested much in this tournament but made a key stop on a penalty kick to preserve the 2-1 lead for the United States.
The Netherlands Must Find Some Scoring
If the Netherlands are going to pull off this massive upset, it is going to have to find a way to score some goals. The Dutch have scored just less than two goals per game during this run, and that won’t get the job done in the final. Vivianne Miedema will be a key in this game, as she leads the Dutch team with three goals so far in this tournament.
The Dutch are one of the top defensive teams in the world, and that has been on full display of late. The Netherlands has not yielded a goal in each of its last two wins, but that will be hard to keep up against the explosive USWNT. Goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal is one of the top players in this tournament and has allowed just three goals.
United States Prevails Over the Dutch
The Netherlands might be an underdog in this match, but it deserves to be in this game. The Dutch just don’t score well enough to win this tournament, and their lack of depth is going to cost them in this game. The United States has plenty of experience at this level, and they are going to get enough scoring to earn the victory. Bet the United States -275 over the Netherlands in the 2019 Women’s World Cup final.
