US-Japan is golden rematch in Olympic soccer

July 31, 2012: United States' Abby Wambach (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring against North Korea during their group G women's soccer match at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England.

July 31, 2012: Japan's Kozue Ando, left, makes an attempt to score during the women's group F soccer match between Japan and South Africa, at the Millennium stadium in Cardiff, Wales, at the 2012 London Summer Olympics. (AP)

It's not just about the gold medal. It's about redemption.

The Olympic women's soccer tournament couldn't ask for a better finale: United States vs. Japan in the title match on Thursday.

The Americans are still stung by the penalty kick loss to the Japanese in last year's World Cup final in Frankfurt, and they've spent a motivated year intent on getting back to the top.

U.S. forward Abby Wambach says "I've been hoping for this final from the moment I stepped off the podium in Germany."

The game is expected to fill Wembley Stadium, drawing perhaps the largest crowd ever to watch a women's game.