If anything resembling a rivalry exists in women's soccer it's because of the heavyweights meeting in a second consecutive Women's World Cup final on Sunday.
Four years ago, the United States came within penalty kicks of the FIFA World Cup title only to see Japan pull off one of the biggest upsets in the sport's history. Japan, after all, has won just two of 31 between the sides.
The Americans got a semblance of revenge a year later in the 2012 London Olympics, but the itch of not bringing a World Cup to the States - a feat unaccomplished since Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain captivated the nation in 1999 - has worn on captain Abby Wambach.
"It has been the thing that has been within us, that fuels our fire, motivates us to do that extra sprint, to make that extra flight, to extend and search for that ball whether you are in the box or saving the ball from going in our own net," Wambach said last week. "It's always there and that is what happens with heartbreak."
Wambach, 35, is the American team's unquestioned leader, and has been fore the better part of a decade. Just two caps shy of her 250th international appearance and two goals short of 185 for her career, Wambach is justified in treating this as her final World Cup appearance. Soon, the captaincy will got to 26-year-old Alex Morgan; arguably the most recognizable woman soccer player in the world.
To put her popularity in perspective, Morgan has more endorsement deals than the NFL's Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, but trails the NBA's LeBron James. She's certainly proven her worth on the pitch, scoring 52 goals in 90 appearances; including a knockout stage game-winner against Colombia two weeks ago.
For all the press Wambach and Morgan receive, the unsung hero has been Carli Lloyd. Lloyd has three goals - two on penalties - and one assists in the 2015 World Cup, solidifying her status as team USA's backbone by scoring in the last three games.
Yet, the American still have a gigantic hurdle ahead in facing Japan, who won Group C before defeating the Netherlands, Australia, and England. The Japanese didn't lose a single match in this year's tournament, allowing no more than one goal in each outing.
Like the Americans, Nadeshiko Japan is looking for payback.
"One thing that's different from 2011 is that Japan now has the experience and the sorrow of losing in the Olympic final against USA," defensive midfielder Rumi Utsugi said. "I'm so excited to face them in the final."
One way or the other, Sunday's Women's World Cup Final will be a game of redemption.
When: July 5, 2015
Where: BC Palace Stadium, Vancouver, CA
Kick-off: 7 p.m. EST
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go, NBC Sports LiveExtra (Spanish)
TV: FOX, Telemundo
Prediction: American goalkeeper Hope Solo has clean sheets in all team USA's Group D opening match against Australia. Look for the trend to continue in the Final. USA 2-0
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