U.S. looking to 'put it right' against Japan four years later

VANCOUVER, B.C. — The record books show only that Japan was the champion of the Women's World Cup in 2011, a fact that doesn't even begin to tell the full story but is the only parcel of information that matters.

Soccer success is measured in glittering trophies and gold medals, not near misses and public plaudits, a reality the United States is acutely aware of to the point of obsession leading into Sunday's date of destiny, information that matters.

"It hurts to think about it and talk about it," said U.S. captain Carli Lloyd. "But it is what makes you stronger. It is tough, but it builds character. Now there is nothing I want more than the chance to put it right."

The same two teams will again square off at Vancouver's BC Place, 1,449 days after Japan completed an extraordinary victory topped by a last-gasp equalizer and a nerveless penalty-kick shootout.

It was about as gut-wrenching as it gets for the Americans in the World Cup final four years ago. The game didn't have a single tragically farcical conclusion like the evil fate that befell England's Laura Bassett on Wednesday, but instead a series of knifing blows that snatched away the tantalizing hope of a title just when it appeared to be in the USA's grasp.

With the Americans leading 2-1 with nine minutes left in regulation, Aya Miyama equalized for Japan against the run of play, moments after the U.S. had seemed poised to double its advantage. After Abby Wambach put the team ahead again during extra time, Homare Sawa produced an audaciously spectacular flick with the outside of her cleat to send the game to a penalty shootout.

Lloyd, Shannon Boxx and Tobin Heath, typically clutch performers from the dreaded spot, all missed, and the dream was done.

"As a competitor you know in your heart that all the good stuff, none of it counted," said veteran forward Wambach. "How well we had played, how we had fought back from the brink of defeat in the quarterfinal, all the excitement. We lost. We didn't finish the job. We weren't champions."

Wambach is one of the loudest talkers on the U.S. squad, whether she is on the field leading the attacking line or on the sideline bellowing encouragement and direction. Away from the stadium she is an equally vocal presence, a veteran who embraces leadership to an infinite degree and regards painful history lessons as a necessary part of the process.

"I don't want us thinking about Germany," she said. "We will talk. I want us to remember what happened last time and use it as motivation. I want the players who weren't there to know that it's no fun coming out of a final having lost. And I want us to think about what we could have done, those tiny little extra bits of effort that might have made a difference."

The U.S. is not a particularly young squad. Only Julie Johnston, Sydney Leroux and Morgan Brian were born in the 1990s, and 14 members of the 2011 group have returned this time around.

Seven of the USA'S likely starters on Sunday saw playing time at Frankfurt's Commerzbank Arena as things fell apart -- Lloyd, Hope Solo, Ali Krieger, Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday all started the last final, with Alex Morgan and Tobin Heath coming off the bench. Wambach is again in line for a substitute role this weekend, as in the quarterfinal and semifinal victories.

Heather O'Reilly, an ever-present figure in 2011 who has been featured only once in this tournament, has perhaps dwelt on four years ago as much as anyone.

"Sawa broke our hearts," she said recently. "We were so close to winning World Cup gold. It is something that if I am running sprints in practice, I think about."

As much as the Americans will discuss among themselves what happened last time, there will also be reminders as soon as they step onto the field. Miyama is still around for Japan, the diminutive midfielder remaining as destructive as ever and a pivotal figure in each of the team's six consecutive single-goal wins.

Even Sawa remains, at 36 and in her sixth World Cup, usually coming on as a late substitute to provide a calm head and a shot of stability.

The Americans do not underestimate their opponent; how could they when Japan was the architect of such disappointment the last time this trophy they seek was hoisted?

The pain remains and that is fine for now. There is only one way to fix it, that much is clear.

"Put it right," said Lloyd. "Get the job done."

Follow columnist Nancy Armour on Twitter @nrarmour.