2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Predictions

Here are my predictions for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Bold = Knockout Stage Teams

Group A
1. Canada- Home-field advantage, a mild group and top scorer Christine Sinclair promise to carry the No. 8 Canadians deep into the tournament. However, the availability of Washington Spirit playmaker Diana Matheson (ACL recovery) remains a question.

2. China- A world power in the early days of women’s soccer, the Chinese faded from the scene the last 10 years. They did not qualify in 2011 and received a qualifying boost this cycle when Asian power North Korea was banned for drug violations.

3. Netherlands- In the shadow of their elite male counterparts, the Dutch have begun gaining traction with their first Cup berth. Vivianne Miedema, 18, is a scoring sensation for club and country. She had three goals in a two-game playoff with Italy.

4. New Zealand- The Football Ferns enter their third straight World Cup in search of a first victory (0-8-1). They were competitive in 2011 (2-1 defeats and a 2-2 draw) and advanced to the 2012 Olympic quarterfinals. Amber Hearn is the career scoring leader.

Group B
1. Germany- The two-time champion and current top-ranked team is seeking to make amends for a 2011 quarterfinal exit at home. Group play will be a breeze, but injuries to 2014 FIFA player of the year Nadine Kessler and others have clouded the outlook.

2. Norway- The Norwegians finished first in 1995, second in 1991 and fourth in 1999 and 2007 but didn’t get out of the group in 2011. The architect of their early success, Even Pellerud, returns for a second coaching stint. He led Canada from 1999 till 2008.

3. Thailand- Another team to benefit from the expanded field, the Thais lost two Asian qualifiers by a combined 11-0 but got through to the fifth-place game and then won at Vietnam, 2-1, on goals by Kanjana Sungngoen, the team’s second-leading scorer.

4. Ivory Coast- Third place in the 2014 African championship earned the first World Cup berth in program history. Ten players are age 21 or younger and only nine have appeared in at least 20 international matches. Victory vs. Thailand is vital to advancing.

Group C
1. Japan- Many need to be reminded that Japan, not the United States or Germany, won the 2011 title. It’s still hard to fathom after no previous semifinal berths. Another trophy is within reach for the 4th-ranked team. Homare Sawa enters her sixth World Cup.

2. Switzerland- The Swiss had never competed in the European Championship, let alone the World Cup, but in a weak qualifying group, they went 9-0-1 with a 53-1 scoring margin. A German coach and German-based talent have grown the program.

3. Cameroon- The team’s Olympic debut in 2012 spurred a second-place finish behind Nigeria in the African championship and a first World Cup berth. Annette Ngo Ndom received top goalkeeping honors. Third-place advancement is within reach.

4. Ecuador- The program’s first World Cup berth was realized after defeating Trinidad and Tobago in a two-game playoff. At 26, Vanessa Arauz is the youngest coach in tournament history. Top scorer Ambar Torres is 20 and Kerly Real is 16.

Group D
1. United States- Expectations are always high, and after a 16-year championship drought, the Americans are getting impatient. In a strong group, they cannot expect any carefree matches and will need to finish first to avoid a rough road to the final.

2. Sweden- No one outside of U.S. camp knows the Americans better than Swede Coach Pia Sundhage, who guided them to two Olympic gold medals and second place at the previous World Cup. The fifth-ranked Swedes were runners-up in 2003 and third in 2011.

3. Australia- Ranked No. 10, the Aussies will look to steal a point from the Americans or Swedes and, at the very least, advance as one of the four best third-place sides. Top scorer Lisa De Vanna enjoyed stints with the Washington Freedom and Spirit.

4. Nigeria- In any other group, the Super Falcons would advance, a feat they haven’t realized since 1999. Francisca Ordega (Washington Spirit) and a core built from three consecutive semifinal berths in the Under-20 World Cup provide an imminent threat.

Group E
1. Brazil- A major title is long overdue after many shortfalls in the World Cup and Olympics. Marta, 29, has won the FIFA player of the year award five times and finished second four times, including last year. Veterans Formiga and Cristiane also return.

2. Spain- La Roja is making its first appearance in a World Cup or Olympics, a place secured with a 9-0-1 qualifying record. Captain Veronica Boquete, nicknamed Vero, is one of the world’s elite attackers. With Philadelphia in 2011, she was MVP in the Women’s Professional Soccer league.

3. South Korea- If a recent 0-0 draw with the U.S. is any indication, the Koreans will offer stiff resistance against group favorites in their first entry in 12 years. Ji So Yun, 24, was named the English league’s player of the year in her first season at Chelsea.

4. Costa Rica- In their World Cup debut, Las Ticas aim to replicate the men’s improbable success last summer. Playmaker Shirley Cruz has starred in France for years and Dinnia Diaz shined at the qualifying tournament by stopping three penalty kicks in a shootout.

Group F
1. France- Les Bleues are the fashionable pick to win it all, and for good reason. They’re ranked No. 3, finished fourth in the last World Cup and Olympics, and feature players from the formidable domestic league, including Marie Laure-Delie.

2. England- After a poor Euro 2013 showing, the three-time World Cup quarterfinalists changed coaches and rolled through qualifying with 10 straight victories and a 52-1 scoring disparity. A veteran defense provides stability for the sixth-ranked squad.

3. Mexico- The program has made steady strides in CONCACAF and, with an opening victory over Colombia, will position itself to advance for the first time in three tries. Much of the squad has U.S. connections through birth, college or National Women’s Soccer League experience.

4. Columbia- Las Cafeteras are making their second appearance after finishing second to Brazil in the qualifying tournament. In 2011, they didn’t score but were competitive. Ex-Terp Nataly Arias, the 2003 Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year at O’Connell High, made the squad.

Knockout Round

Round of 16
(1B) Germany over (3ACD) Netherlands
(1F) France over (2E) Spain
(2A) China over (2C) Switzerland
(1D) USA over (3BEF) South Korea
(2D) Sweden over (1E) Brazil
(1C) Japan over (3ABF) Mexico
(2F) England over (2B) Norway
(1A) Canada over (3CDE) Australia

Quarterfinals
(1B) Germany over (1F) France
(1D) USA over (2A) China
(1C) Japan over (2D) Sweden
(1A) Canada over (2F) England

Semifinals
(1D) USA over (1B) Germany
(1A) Canada over (1C) Japan

Final
(1D) USA over (1A) Canada