Something to celebrate: Japan's inspirational win over Sweden has given the disaster-stricken country something to rally around ahead of Sunday's World Cup final against the U.S. (AP Photo).

Those who saw the 3-1 victory over Sweden in the Women's World Cup semifinals already know the disciplined Japanese approach is all about playing to its strengths and recognizing its limitations.

Remember back when Greg called that keen four for four during the 2008 Olympics? Well, the NSC intern just doubled the feat in the Under-20 World Cup round of 16. That's just how we roll, yo... The word of the round: swagger. Whether it was coming, going, or never showing up, swagger more than any other intrinsic quality turned the tides of this Under-20 World Cup's Round of 16.

We've started a new feature on our Blogs and, for now, we're calling it Rewind. This is where we pull an old video from our archives that we think was really good, historic, just plain fun or all of the above.
We'll start with this little gem from 2008 in which we feature current U.S. WNT regulars Amy Rodriguez, Lauren Cheney and Tobin Heath when they were all just breaking into the team.

U.S. Women's National Team2011 Algarve CupThe Algarve, PortugalFeb. 21, 2011
U.S. WNT ARRIVES EARLY IN PORTUGAL FOR 11 DAYS OF TRAINING BEFORE ALGARVE CUP: The U.S. Women's National Team has arrived on the southern coast of Portugal to prepare for its second international tournament of 2011.

Few media outlets take the time to consider the particular way that FIFA makes things worse for women.
A few months ago, I reported on the slowly unfolding consequences of the decision of one xenophobic referee working in a youth tournament in Quebec (FIFA Makes its Islamophobia Official).

The Philly Soccer Page " Preview: Union vs. Sporting Kansas City
Philadelphia Union will host one of Major League Soccer's hottest teams tonight when Sporting Kansas City comes into town.

Support the Fort! | Union Dues

In solidarity with our brothers and sister of the New England Revolutions supporters groups.

This will be the sixth Women's World Cup that FIFA has staged since the inaugural tournament back in 1991.

ESPN will be broadcasting games almost daily it looks like, beginning Sunday:
NIGERIA-FRANCE (live) 7:45 am on ESPN2
GERMANY-CANADA (live) 10:30 am on ESPN

MONDAY, June 27
JAPAN-NEW ZEALAND (live) 7:45 am on ESPN
MEXICO-ENGLAND (live) 10:45 am on ESPN

As the Wall Street Journal notes, it's likely the German's to lose.

Billy Witz has a nice piece up about how the USA Women winning the World Cup tomorrow could be bad for the team and the women's program in the long run. However, I don't agree with all of it. Yes, I do think the USA is now relying more on athleticism instead of skill to squeeze out wins against teams who have advanced their programs at a faster rate, but I guess I have more faith than Billy in Pia Sundhage.

Those of you who listen to the World Football Phone-In on BBC Five Live every week (either live or podcast) can hear the wonderful host Dotun Adebayo singing this classic Leiber and Stoller tune regularly, expecially on the weeks when co-host Sean "The Big Wheel" Wheelock is on.

In a nutshell no one...

It's been over the back pages for the last few days the duel between Premier League sides Spurs and West Ham for who gets the keys to the Olympic stadium in Stratford following the 2012 games.

After listening to every Tom, Dick and Peles' view I've decided to wade into the debate and only one solution makes sense, no one should get it.

I believe they refer to a team like Western New York as one which has "ambition." Are you watching Sounders fans?

Generally regarded as the best women's soccer player on the planet, she is a five-time FIFA World Player of the Year. She turns 25 next month. She has won MVP honors in the WPS twice.

On the surface, the argument makes perfect sense football players, especially young football players should not be asked to play competitive football 11 months out of 12. By asking UEFA to mandate the national European FAs to only select players for one international tournament per season, the European Club Association (ECA) feels that they well prevent burnout / injuries in young prodigies, and thereby not only having them available at the start of each season but also prolonging their careers.

All images via Getty/Daylife

We were delighted when Benny Feilhaber, one of our American favorites, made the move back stateside from Denmark to play in the MLS for the New England Revolution. We were even more delighted when Benny agreed to answer our hard-hitting questions on such topics as his sleepwear and man hugs.

Four members of the Boston Breakers were among 21 players selected on Monday for this summer's Women's World Cup in Germany.

Defenders Rachel Buehler, Stephanie Cox, Amy LePeilbet, as well as forward Lauren Cheney, were named to U.S. Women's National Team head coach Pia Sundhage's World Cup roster for the tournament.

With a name like Hope Solo it is little wonder her brilliant performance against Brazil in the 2008 Olympics finals was perceived as instrumental in the US winning gold. One lost count of the many saves she made.

A stunning comeback from the previous year after she fell out of favour of Greg Ryan who benched her for the semi-finals in the 2007 World Cup in favour of veteran Briana Scurry.

I fell in love with the Super Falcons during the 2008 Olympics, watching them slug out the ultimate group-of-death: Germany, Brazil, Nigeria and North Korea. None of the games in that tournament were as exciting as those Nigeria played in this group.
Nevertheless, Nigeria didn't make it past that stage.

Funny things happen when you travel. Sometimes you board the plane and sit on the tarmac for hours. Sometimes you see the plane you are supposed to be on taxiing away from the gate just as you land. Sometimes through sheer serendipity, you encounter Carli Lloyd in the Philadelphia International Airport.

Better candidates than Beckam for Olympic captaincy - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Understandably, European nations often decline to participate in Olympic football competition. The alignment of their respective four year rotations means that UEFA's European Championships coincide with the Olympic Games.