Filed by KOSU News in US News.
July 17, 2011

The U.S. women’s national team tries to take its first World Cup title since 1999 Sunday, facing a Japanese team that has become a sentimental favorite in Germany, the host nation.

We’ll be updating this post with highlights from the game. You can watch also follow the live action at ESPN3.com.

Update: 3 p.m. ET: The U.S. women are keeping possession of the ball, one of coach Pia Sundhage’s keys to playing well in this match. The Japanese women are controlling the ball on their own side of the field, but as they cross midfield, the U.S. players are disrupting passes.

Update: 2:57 p.m. ET: Carli Lloyd narrowly put her rebound shot over the net. That’s three nice early chances for the Americans. OR – make that FOUR chances. Megan Rapinoe missed a one-timer from the right-hand side of the box.

Update: 2:54 p.m. ET: Midfielder Megan Rapinoe feeds a nice pass to Lauren Cheney, but her shot is just wide. Rapinoe started today for the first time in the Cup; she had been moved to the bench before the first game.

Update: 2:46 p.m. ET: U.S. forward Lauren Cheney started the action by making a run down the left side, but her centering pass was deflected out of bounds. [Copyright 2011 National Public Radio]