Vegas Play of the Day: U.S.-Japan in Women’s World Cup finals

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Sunday, July 5, 2015 | 8:51 a.m.

We’ve reset the Play of the Day with fresh bankrolls and turned it into a yearly competition. Our three sports writers have re-started with $10,000 bankrolls to continue using odds from the South Point.

Women’s World Cup final: United States minus-140 vs. Japan: $560 to win $400:: One of my favorite sayings in sports will be proven true yet again today: Defense wins championships.

The United States have surrendered just one goal in six World Cup games, including a streak of 500 minutes without being scored on entering today’s final against Japan. Goalie Hope Solo has been brilliant, and the defense in front of her has been equally impressive. They were scored on June 8 in a 3-1 win against Australia and have been pitching shutouts ever since.

Despite being placed in the tournament’s toughest group, the Americans have tightened their defense in showing they are the best team in the world. Along the way, they’ve knocked out respected teams such as Colombia, China and tournament favorite Germany. They handled Germany 2-0 — a game I considered the championship.

Japan was lucky to survive against England in the semifinals and won’t have answers for Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan and Christie Rampone. It’s a group of American players eager to make amends for the 2011 finals, when Japan beat the United States in penalty kicks. That day, the U.S. were an even bigger betting favorite.

Current Standings (as of July 1): Brewer (1-0, $10,600) Keefer (0-2, $9,690), Bern (0-0, $10,000)

Lifetime Records: 2014-15 champion Bern (85-74-1), Keefer (82-89-2), Brewer (73-89-2)