The United States are determined to avenge their women's World Cup final defeat to Japan as they prepare to defend their Olympic football crown against the Asian giants tomorrow.
For just over a year, the USA women have nursed a sense of grievance over their defeat to the Japanese in last year's World Cup in Germany where they were beaten on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
The Americans arrived in London thirsting for the opportunity to make amends for that bitter defeat, a ferocious desire that has been evident in a rollercoaster ride into tomorrow's final.
In their opening match against France, they were 2-0 down inside the first 20 minutes before regrouping to run out 4-2 winners.
Then on Monday they trailed against Canada three times before finally clinching a sensational 4-3 victory in the final minute of extra-time courtesy of an Alex Morgan header.
"For some reason we like to make things dramatic," the USA's veteran striker Abby Wambach reflected after the victory over Canada.
"This team doesn't give up. This is what we're about. This is what we've been working for since the day we lost to Japan in the World Cup final."
