Soccer Weekend: Winner Take All in Lyon, Rio, and Chicago

Four years ago on Friday, the US women’s national team earned star No. 3 above the crest on the left breast. On Sunday, our fútboling goddesses go for No. 4.

Standing in the way? The Netherlands, a nation making its second consecutive trip to the 24-team tourney.

In essence, Sunday will see Lighthouses vs. Windmills, Crocs vs. Clogs, and Bud Light against Amstel Light, winner take all, for the biggest trophy in women’s soccer — the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

And while you know we’re all about the Women’s World Cup, that’s not all taking place this weekend in the world’s game.

For the weekend preview, subscribe and read on.

Sunday sees not one, not two, but three — THREE — championship games for our viewing pleasure. Yes, it’s controversial, given that the women’s game is of greater importance than the two men’s games, and yes, CONMEBOL and CONCACAF could have scheduled better — and hopefully they will in when 2023 rolls around.

And since the women’s game is of greater importance, we will highlight it first.

Women's World Cup Final: United States vs. Netherlands (11 a.m. Sunday, FOX)

While we know all about the American attacking options — and how can we not? — the question as to who will be healthy is still up in the air. As we mentioned Thursday, the hope is that Megan Rapinoe will be good to go out on the left after she missed Tuesday’s semifinal with a reported hamstring injury. In defensive central midfield, we’re expecting the pair of Lindsay Horan and Hanson’s Sam Mewis to fill the Nos. 6 and 8 roles.

We’re also expecting Alex Morgan to see some time in the No. 9 role, but if she can’t go given the beating she has taken, there’s always Carli Lloyd or Mallory Pugh, or even Christen Press.

For the Netherlands, expect Le Oranje to be fast on the counterattack. The Ducth have Viv Miedema as the point in their attack, using a strong right foot to score; but not only her, expect Danielle van de Donk to be the first passing option in the final third. If Lieke Martens, who played 45 minutes against Sweden Wednesday, is healthy enough, she will patrol the left and can make things happen.

Jackie Groenen, who scored the lone goal for the Dutch Wednesday, will be on the right wing and be can cheeky with passes. The Netherlands will build out of the back and through the wings, so expect the new Manchester United Women signing to have her foot on the ball at multiple points.

Also dangerous? Sherida Spitse, who isn’t afraid of testing the keeper from distance, and Shanice van de Sanden, who may not necessarily be technical on the football, will bring power and pace to the European champions’ attack.

Also be advised: while defending corners, the Netherlands will have a pair of players — Groenen, for one — on the posts alongside goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal, A smart defensive plan to cut down on the posts.

Copa América Final: Brazil vs. Peru (4 p.m. Sunday, ESPN+)

The Seleção, of course, are the eight-time champions of this event, while La Blancquirroja are making their first trip to the final since 1975.

Telemundo’s Diego Montalvan tells BSJ that Peru can win.

“They have to do the same that they did with Chile,” Montalvan said Friday night. “In this case, they need to handle Arthur and the front three. Must know when to attack. They need to have close to a perfect game. The thing is, as the tournament has progressed, Peru have kept getting better.

“I think Peru is ready to pull off the surprise.”

For Brazil, the five-time world champions will to expose space on the wings.

“Brazil needs to attack on the wings since Peru’s fullbacks are used as attackers,” he said. “They need to control the front 4 but especially Paolo Guerrero.”

Guerrero, who plays his club futebol for Internacional in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and has two goals in the tournament, has never scored against Brazil.

Brazil beat Peru, 5-0, in the group stages.

CONCACAF Gold Cup Final: United States vs. Mexico (9 p.m. Sunday, FS1)

Capping Sunday will be the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final between the US men and Mexico, who — while bitter rivals — haven’t played the Gold Cup Final since 2011.

For the Yanks, they have only given up one goal in the tournament, will need to be organized against El Tri. Against Jamaica on Wednesday night, the American defending let FC Cincinnati’s Darren Mattocks in early on a set-piece, so they will not want to let the Mexicans get a sniff of the penalty area.

The Yanks, offensively, are jam-packed with talent, as DC United’s Paul Arriola will find himself around Seattle’s Jordan Morris, Toronto’s Jozy Altidore — whose tight end-like body can cause defenses problems — and Chelsea FC’s Christian Pulisic, a maestro on the ball, can take advantage of a weak defensive unit.

And after giving up three goals in the group stages — two to Martinique — and one in the knock-outs, some may consider Mexico that. The Americans pass almost at-will in the attacking third, including some combination play that spun the Jamaican defense around Wednesday.

If there’s one thing that can adversely affect the Americans in the box? Slow decision-making, especially if options are marked.

But if Pulisic makes a run at the far post, watch out. He can poach, and poach hard.

The Mexicans, though, can pass extremely well and will build their offense through the wings: El Tri entered Tuesday’s semifinal with Haiti at 89 percent passing accuracy for the tournament. But if the Americans can be as organized at the back like Haiti was Tuesday, they can give Mexico fits.

Major League/Local Soccer

Revs fans will want to keep their eyes on Philadelphia hosting Orlando City at 7 p.m. Saturday. As we mentioned Friday, Orlando is two points in arrears to the high-flying Revolution, and a win can move the Revs from eighth in the East to ninth. A Union win will keep things as they are.

FC Cincinnati hosts Houston, who is coming off a 4-0 win over the Red Bulls at midweek. Columbus also hosts Seattle, Montreal hosts Minnesota United, Sporting Kansas City hosts Chicago, LAFC hosts Vancouver, and San Jose hosts Real Salt Lake.

On Sunday, Atlanta United hosts the Red Bulls (2 p.m., FOX), and NYCFC hosts Portland (6:30 p.m., FS1).

Locally, into the last weekend, we go in the NPSL Northeast Conference. Saturday sees Boston City FC host New York Athletic Club at Harry Della Russo Stadium in Revere (7 p.m.), while the Greater Lowell Rough Diamonds are at Brooklyn Italians.

In addition, Hartford City FC hosts the Rhode Island Reds.

Don’t believe either of our Massachusetts NPSL sides are playoff-bound, but we’ll check.

One quick women’s soccer note: the Worcester Smiles FC of the United Women’s Soccer League are in action Monday night at historic Foley Stadium (Chandler Street, Route 122A in Worcester) against the Connecticut Fusion. UWS is second division in women’s soccer.

Kickoff is 7 p.m. Tickets are $15.

And of course ... England vs. Sweden for Third Place in the Women's World Cup, Saturday at 11 a.m.