Through 18 minutes, the USA has seven shots in the 2011 Women's World Cup Final, and has Japan on its heels in the early-going. From the start, the US Women's National Team has been dangerous, creating its first chance just a minute in and following that up with multiple more. The American side has used its size, sending balls into Abby Wambach, who holds a significant advantage in the middle. But it's not all Wambach.
The USA also seems to hold a speed advantage on the wings, and has been using it to near-perfection early in the Women's World Cup Final. Heather O'Reilly and Megan Rapinoe have been everywhere, burning down the sidelines and into the box before sending a cross or shot on. There's only been one thing missing from the countless chances as the USA has failed to find the back of the net.
But they've come close, almost painfully so. The USA has hit just about everything but the back of the net, missing high or to the side by inches more than once. Even still, the American side has dominated the run of play, keeping Japan from playing its possession game while playing one of their own.
In the 22nd minute, the USA and Japan remain tied at zero in the Women's World Cup Finals. The game can be found on ESPN and ESPN3.
For more on the tournament, be sure to visit SB Nation Soccer's 2011 Women's World Cup StoryStream. Stay with this StoryStream for more on Hope Solo and the United States Womens National Team.