Women’s World Cup - Playoff Predictions

Courtesy of the New York Times

As I often like to do with all sorts of sporting competitions, I’ve made a Playoff Bracket for this year’s Women’s World Cup.

Though I would no doubt enjoy the bragging rights should my predictions come true, it’s more of a fun exercise in analysis, and in building my knowledge of the game. Perfect brackets are rare because there are ultimately too many variable to assess in these competitions, and luck plays a big factor.

With that in mind, here are a few insights into my thought process:

Japan
Taking nothing away from Japan (who went undefeated in the Group Stage), I put them in the final more due to desire than true belief. I love their counter-attacking style of play, and the 4-0 shellacking of Spain was one of the most impressive wins I saw during the whole tournament. That being said, I worry a bit about a redemption game for Spain if they indeed make it to a rematch in the semifinals. Not worried enough to change the result, though - Japan to the final!

United States
In a bracket where Sweden beats the United States in round 1, I feel bad focusing my analysis on the loser… but as two-time defending World Cup champions, I think I can be forgiven. Sweden has looked great, but not always dominant. The problem is that the U.S. has looked worse against worse competition. I’m not convinced this U.S. team has all the right pieces in all the right places to put a proper run together. There’s no doubt the experience is there, but part of me believes (wants to believe?) that this is finally a World Cup that shows how quickly the rest of the international soccer community is catching up in talent.

England
Lauren James. That’s it. That’s what a champion looks like. Listen, I didn’t promise a deep and detailed analysis. But what I can say is that Lauren James has looked phenomenal. Of course she was a talented squad around her, and England is no surprise dark horse. The importance of finishing in soccer is crucial, but I can’t help but feel it might be a little extra valuable in the women’s game, where spontaneous chances are created out of nowhere more frequently and the box can get quite sloppy. James is an elite finisher, and can create brilliant chances for her teammates. I’m a Chelsea fan, so I’m biased (James is Chelsea’s striker in the WSL), but book it - it’s coming home!