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US Women Ready For Spotlight

ussoccer.com

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) Abby Wambach remembers the date by heart: July 17, 2011. That was the day the United States lost to Japan in the Women's World Cup title match in Germany.

The Americans get a rematch on Sunday when the teams meet again in the final, this time in Canada. The U.S. women are favored, and there figures to be a mostly pro-American crowd making the short trip across the border to Vancouver's BC Place.

Wambach and the rest of her teammates say they aren't taking anything for granted. The United States, ranked No. 2 in the world, is seeking its third World Cup title, but first since 1999.

"We still have to win. We haven't won anything yet, and we know what that feels like from four years ago,'' Wambach said. "It's not a good feeling.''

The United States is coming off an impressive 2-0 semifinal victory over Germany, the team that had unseated the Americans for the top spot in the world rankings. Criticized at times for a lack of offense, the U.S. has posted five straight shutouts.

"I think we have really good momentum. I think we have confidence as a group. But we need to raise our game as well,'' said midfielder Carli Lloyd, who leads the Americans with three goals. "This is the final, everything's on the line, there's no holding back. There's no reserving energy. It's full throttle.''

Japan, ranked No. 4 in the world, has won each of its six matches during the monthlong tournament, relying on its steady tactical skill. It is trying for its second straight World Cup title.

"It's the final game, the last one, so there's no more than that and we should really cherish this moment that we are going to the final,'' Japan coach Norio Sasaki said. "But I would also like to have a game that would contribute to the development of football in the world.''

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