My World Cup Best XI

The final is all set now, with the two-time champions USA taking on first time finalists Netherlands, which promises to be a great matchup. Dutch "total football" will go up against the American way of taking the game to their opponents. I could go on and on about the different tactical battles that we'll see, but instead I thought of the best XI of this tournament (that I've seen, at least).

Goalkeeper: Christiane Endler, Chile

This XI is not limited to players who have progressed far in the tournament; in fact, there are many players from those teams that I left out of this. Honestly I haven't seen a ton of goalkeeping out of the ordinary in this tournament, but Endler's heroics against Sweden and the USA kept Chile in contention for a knockout stage appearance until the very end (Chile missed the knockout stage on goal difference by just one goal-without Endler, that doesn't happen).

Defenders:

Crystal Dunn, USA:

Dunn was the last player cut from the 2015 squad, and her play at club level both in the NWSL and in Europe more than justified her being picked this time around. And so far, she hasn't disappointed. To me, her breakout performance was in the quarterfinals, where she (and the rest of the back line) shut France down, and she did very well against England in the next round. In the three years between the World Cups, you can watch her play for the NC Courage.

Sara Gama, Italy:

Italy were one of the biggest surprises of the tournament, topping Group C over Australia and Brazil, and Sara Gama was a big part of that with her presence in the back line. I hadn't really heard much about the Italian players before this tournament (and didn't even pick them to advance), but Gama and the rest of the backline were one of the keys to their success.

Wendie Rénard, France:

While the French finishing left a lot to be desired overall against the US, Wendie Rénard did her part in keeping them in that game with her header, and she came up big early on in the tournament. Despite her own goal against Norway, she provided a steady defensive presence and was not phased by the penalty controversy against Nigeria, solidly burying the retake.

Lucy Bronze, England:

She was one of the players to watch before the tournament, and she did not disappoint, leading England to the semifinals against the US. Her goal against Norway in the quarterfinals should be in the top 5 goals of the tournament, and she did well to help create chances. Many considered her to be the best right back in the world going into the tournament, and she lived up to that billing and then some.

Midfielders:

Sara Däbritz, Germany:

Däbritz was a steady presence for Germany early on in the tournament when they struggled to break down China and Spain, but she began to find her stride as the tournament went on, like many on the German team. While they were upset by Sweden in the quarterfinals, Däbritz led her team in goals, and put in two player of the match performances, so she's more than worthy of a place in the best 11.

Sherida Spitse, Netherlands:

If the Netherlands do the unthinkable this Sunday, it will be in no small part due to Spitse's assists, in which she currently leads the tournament. Van de Sanden/Miedema/Martens may be doing the goalscoring, but with Spitse in command in the center of the park, the Dutch "total football" really works.

Rose LaVelle, USA:

While she hasn't scored since the 13-0 against Thailand, LaVelle has created numerous chances for the US and done lots that won't show up in the stats. I knew before the tournament that this would be her breakout moment, and her performances against France and England (before she came off) lived up to that. And we can watch her play even after the tournament, with the Washington Spirit!

Forwards:

Sam Kerr, Australia:

Say what you want about how Australia were eliminated, but on the individual level, Sam Kerr lived up to expectations and then some. She's the joint-second-top-scorer along with Megan Rapinoe (also on this list), highlighted by four goals against Jamaica and her "involvement" in Mônica's decisive own-goal against Brazil, helping the Matildas come back from a two-goal deficit. Despite being eliminated by Norway, Kerr is back stateside with the Chicago Red Stars, where she had a hat trick in their last game.

Vivianne Miedema, Netherlands:

I could have picked either her or her teammate Lieke Martens for this, but Miedema has not disappointed with the high expectations she had coming into the tournament. She broke through against Italy on a very humid day in the quarterfinals, and while the Netherlands' bench has also contributed a great deal, Miedema has been the focal point of the attack and will give the US some problems this Sunday.

Megan Rapinoe, USA:

Her performance in this tournament since the Round of 16 needs no introduction, silencing critics both at home and all around the world. She and Alex Morgan can potentially go 1-2 in the Golden Boot race (if Ellen White of England doesn't score in the 3rd place game), and if she recovers in time for the final, the US will go back to back.

2nd team:

GK-Vanina Correa, Argentina

D-Ellie Carpenter, Australia
D-Kristina Minde, Norway
D-Maren Mjelde, Norway
D-Kelley O'Hara, USA

M-Chloe Logarzo, Australia
M-Manuela Giugliano, Italy
M-Amel Majri, France

F-Alex Morgan, USA
F-Lieke Martens, Netherlands
F-Ellen White, England