U.S. women’s soccer team getting 95 percent of bets at William Hill

Anyone who would ever question the patriotism of Americans hasn’t been behind a sports book counter this past week.

Bettors are lining up to put their money on the United States to beat Japan in the Women’s World Cup final today in Vancouver, British Columbia.

At William Hill sports books, 95 percent of the money wagered on the two-way betting line has been placed on the United States (-.5, minus-140). The ticket count on the U.S. was at 87 percent as of Friday evening.

“Bettors have been betting patriotically throughout the tournament,” William Hill director of marketing Michael Grodsky said. “I expect that we’ll continue to see that through Sunday with both straight bets and parlay bettors tacking the (U.S.) on to their baseball picks.”

Of course, even on Independence Day weekend, not all of that money is coming from fans who bleed red, white and blue.

It doesn’t hurt that the Americans, who entered the tournament ranked No. 2 in the world, also have been impressive.

The U.S. defense, anchored by goalkeeper Hope Solo, has allowed just one goal in the tournament and has gone more than 500 minutes without conceding a goal.

That dominance has helped propel the U.S. to today’s title game in which the defending champions await, four years after Japan won a penalty shootout over the Americans to win its first World Cup.

Of course, entering the match as the favorite means nothing once the teams take the field. The U.S. was a minus-200 favorite entering the matchup four years ago only to watch Japan celebrate after a thrilling victory.

Yahoo sports radio host and Las Vegas handicapper Ken Thomson (SportsXRadio.com) expects Solo and the back line to help the Americans turn the tables and hoist the trophy for the first time since 1999.

“I feel the U.S. will use its strong defense and set pieces to avenge the 2011 loss. Julie Johnston will have a big game, and Hope Solo is the best goalie in the world,” Thomson said. “Look for Jill Ellis to bring Abby Wambach off the bench in the middle of the second half to keep her rested.”

Thomson cited one U.S. starter in particular as a difficult matchup for Japan.

“Megan Rapinoe is as quick as any Japanese player and should get at least one assist,” he said.

Though he thinks the Americans will win, Thomson will not be lining up at the window behind the rest of the U.S. bettors.

He said the line, which has the U.S. as high as a minus-275 favorite simply to win the trophy, is too high to make it worthwhile to bet against a capable Japan side. That number is up from an opener of minus-175 at William Hill after early money was almost exclusively on the U.S.

Thomson didn’t commit to a play on the total, either, though his projected score of 2-1 would be over the posted line of 2.

Action has leaned to the over, though it hasn’t been as unbalanced as bets on the side. Sixty-five percent of the tickets and 78 percent of the money have been on the over.

The parade of money on the U.S. started before the tournament began. Grodsky said a victory for the nation would be a loss for the house on more than just the individual match.

“We are losers on the futures if USA wins,” he said.

The U.S. opened at 5-2 to win the event when odds were posted in December and drew significant action. Japan opened at 13-2 and was at 10-1 on June 23 before the knockout stage started.

Those who haven’t had their fill of betting on this team already can take their shot on the U.S. team to best a similar field at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The Americans are a 5-2 choice at William Hill to win the gold medal.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.