3 reasons why the United States will win the Women's World Cup

The United States will be looking for sweet, sweet redemption Sunday evening in the 2015 Women's World Cup final.

Defeated four years ago at this stage by Japan, the Americans will be out to avenge that heartbreaking shootout loss, getting another shot at the Nadeshiko - and, in the process, an opportunity to become the first team to win the competition three times.

It wasn't always convincing getting to this point, but now that they're here, all signs point to a red, white, and blue party after the final whistle is blown inside BC Place in Vancouver.

Here are three reasons why the United States will win the Women's World Cup ...

The defense is perfectly suited to stop Japan's attack

Lisa De Vanna is the only player to score on the United States in the tournament thus far. That was 513 minutes ago (in game time).

The frightening part? The Americans have become better defensively as the competition has progressed, as noted by Michael Caley in an informative piece on the United States' staggering defensive strength:

(Courtesy: Washington Post)

What does that diagram depict? Dominance, basically. Caley explains:

The total number of shots pictured is similar: thirty-seven non-penalty shots by the United States, 30 by its opponents. But just 10 of the Americans' attempts came from outside the box, compared to 24 combined for Germany, China and Colombia. The U.S. women created 21 shooting opportunities in the danger zone, the region in the center of the penalty area from which most goals are scored. On the defensive side, the Americans conceded just three danger zone shots. By stationing a ball-winning midfielder in front of Johnston and Sauerbrunn, Ellis has forced opposition attacks to settle for low-expectation shots from distance, which even if they were taken well remained unlikely to trouble Hope Solo in goal.

For a Japanese side that relies on ball movement through the middle of the pitch and crafting high-quality chances - something the U.S. simply doesn't allow - it's difficult to envision a scenario in which they break down a wall that's proven impenetrable since June 8.

Pinoe

That is all.

Not satisfied? Ugh, fine.

The 29-year-old midfielder powered the Americans to victory in their tournament opener with a pair of goals against Australia. She's proven more than capable of single-handedly taking over a match on multiple occasions over the years, with her combination of individual trickery, clever runs into the channels, pinpoint ball distribution, and finishing ability.

Megan Rapinoe is, simply, a complete midfielder who is rivaled by very few others in the world - if any.

Having the best players doesn't always ensure victory, but it sure as hell helps, and the woman affectionately known as Pinoe is certainly one of the very best on the planet.

The team is (finally) balanced and peaking at the right time

It was born out of necessity - with suspensions to Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday forcing manager Jill Ellis to alter her formation heading into the quarterfinals against China - but a tactical switch has made the United States look like a cohesive unit over the last two matches, which have just so happened to be its best of the tournament.

Ellis' usage of Morgan Brian in a holding midfield role has allowed veteran - and vice-captain - Carli Lloyd to push forward into her more natural role playing just behind the striker, and the U.S. has reaped the rewards. Lloyd was deployed in an unfamiliar defensive midfield position early in the tournament that allowed opposing teams to target the center of the pitch. Now, she's free to roam and do what she does best, while Brian and Holiday cover the spaces behind her.

That system shut down Germany in the Americans' semifinal win, and it'll likely be the system utilized in the hopes of doing the same to a Japanese team that relies on quick ball movement in central midfield and just outside the penalty area to craft dangerous chances.