LYON, France — The reigning world champion will face the European champion for the 2019 World Cup title.
The United States women’s national team is ranked first in the world, has won three World Cup titles, including the last one in 2015, and will play in its third consecutive final. Netherlands, ranked eighth, is playing in its second World Cup and first final.
The differences seem vast entering Sunday’s 11 a.m. ET matchup between the Americans and the Dutch at Stade de Lyon. But U.S. coach Jill Ellis and her players were quick to shoot down the idea that Netherlands is not on the same competitive level.