Like so many other summer blockbusters, the gold medal match in the women's soccer tournament at the London 2012 Olympics is a sequel.
Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe and rest the U.S. women are looking to avenge their defeat to Japan in the final of the 2011 World Cup. That hard fought match went to penalty kicks and was clinched by the Nadeshiko, 3-1.
The U.S. women appeared set to take another match to penalties in its semifinal against Canada when Alex Morgan scored a stunning goal with her head in the 122nd minute. In the other semifinal, Japan held on for a relatively straightforward 2-1 win over France.
"I think the fact that we lost the World Cup and the way that we did gives us even more passion and desire to go out and perform tomorrow," Wambach told reporters on Wednesday. "The truth is, this is going to be a great day, a great day for soccer, a great day for women's sports, and something that hopefully we'll be able to remember for the rest of our lives – and hopefully it's in a good way."
Will Japan be able to win a second consecutive international title? Can the U.S. avenge its defeat at penalties? Who will the heroine be tonight?
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