The time has arrived to crown the new world champions in Canada, as the mighty United States take on holders Japan in the World Cup final on Sunday night.
The Japanese shocked the watching millions in 2011—as they broke American hearts with a penalty shootout victory to win the competition in Germany.
USWNT recently beat the world No. 1 Germans in the semi-final in great style, and they will be hoping to replicate their game to topple their skilful opponents.
Here are the vital details on how to watch this important match, with kick-off times and streaming information:
Date: Sunday, July 5
Time: 7 p.m. (ET), 12 a.m. Monday (BST)
Live Stream: Fox Sports 2Go (U.S. only), BBC iPlayer (UK only)
TV Info: Fox Sports (U.S. only); BBC Two and HD, Eurosport and HD (UK only)
The United States have been blessed with their fair share of female superstar footballers—whether it be the mercurial talents of Abby Wambach, or the dashing play of predatory forward Alex Morgan.
But one piece of history sits like a stain on the badge of USWNT like no other—the loss to Japan in the 2011 World Cup final.
Both Wambach and Morgan featured four years ago, with American dreams crushed at the hands of a brilliantly technical Japan team.
Japan shocked the watching German public in 2011, defeating the traditional superpowers of both the hosts and Sweden, and then beating the invincible United States on penalties.
Against the odds, the Japanese are once again back in the final, despite playing second fiddle to an England side that ran them ragged in the semi-final.
Japan stole the win in injury time with a freak own goal—and they will have to perform to a higher level to beat the USA this time round.
The Americans will be on the hunt for revenge, with a number of their squad featuring in their last finals for their country before they make way for a new breed.
Morgan was the youngest member of the USWNT squad in 2011, and her influence has been curbed due to injury preceding the competition. But the dynamic scorer has shown her worth in the latter rounds, with the ageing Wambach consigned to the bench.
Morgan is set to feature on Sunday, with the player hoping for a belated birthday gift in the final, per FOX Soccer:
However, a new United States superstar has been born at this World Cup, with Julie Johnston shining in defence.
The 23-year-old made her national debut in 2013, and after significant success at youth level—captaining the team to tournament honours—the Chicago Red Stars player has shone in Canada.
Sam Vecenie of CBS believes Johnston is the breakout star of 2015 and has enjoyed every second of her rise to prominence:
Japan were huge underdogs four years ago, and nothing is different this time around. The vastly talented Aya Miyama—the 30-year-old captain of the reigning champions—will provide USWNT with their toughest tactical test, as she bosses the midfield in here usual busy style. Miyama is a double Asian Confederation Player of the Year, and she holds the key that could unlock the American door.
However, Bleacher Report's Michael Cummings feels the Americans are prepared for the Japanese this time around, and has tipped them to lift the trophy on Sunday:
The Americans are an ageing unit, and they do not have the dynamism of previous incarnations. But their defence is arguably stronger than ever, and Japan look goal shy when in the final third.
A win is not guaranteed for USWNT, but with a huge partisan crowd travelling across the border to Vancouver to give their support, it is written in the stars for the trophy to return to North America.
