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Ready for a USA finish
World Cup preview pic
Carli Lloyd of USA celebrates her penalty goal with teammates during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 semi final soccer match between USA and Germany at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada on Tuesday. - photo by Photo by Carmen Jaspersen/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images

I have been tasked with predicting the outcome of Sunday's Women's World Cup Final, pitting the USA against Japan in a rematch of the 2011 final.

My short answer is: the USA.

I didn't come to that conclusion based on national loyalty (alone).

The US team is top to bottom a much bigger and faster squad than the Japanese.

Anything can happen in this game, much like any other sport, but I truly see Japan 'parking the bus.'

Now what exactly does that mean? Well, it's quite simple actually, they are going to play their entire team behind on defense and hope for penalty kicks or one counter that could change the outcome of the game.

Japan's only chance of winning is if they happen to run across a US team that overlooks them once again.

Let's look at the World Cup play so far.

Japan beat three of the top 12 teams in the ranking system and the US is ranked #2, behind only Germany in the World Cup rankings.

Japan's nine goals have been scored by eight different players and the USA has matched them as well with nine, but they have been scored by six players, Carli Lloyd leading the way with three.

The only game that the USA defense allowed a goal was in the opener against Australia, and since then the team has played over 510 minutes of shutout soccer.

How could a much smaller and less physical team like Japan beat America's pride? Just think David v. Goliath.

The US will absolutely need their sensational defensive back line to play their very best if they hope to win this critical final.

Hope Solo, Becky Sauerbrunn, Ali Krieger, Julie Johnston and Meghan Klingenberg will have to work as walls and hold off the quick and agile Japan team who are as scrappy as any.

Forwards Lloyd and Alex Morgan will need to continue and play as aggressive as they have with the midfielders in Lauren Holiday, Morgan Brian, Megan Rapinoe and Tobin Heath continuing their impressive streak.

I can't wait to see if the USA can keep their confidence and become the next World Cup champions. The game starts at 4 p.m. Sunday and will be shown on FOX Sports.