FRANKFURT, Germany (AFP) - USA coach Pia Sundhage has said she will keep faith in misfiring striker Amy Rodriguez ahead of Sunday's women's World Cup final against Japan, even though the forward has yet to score here.
The 24-year-old Philadelphia Independence forward has started all five games of Germany 2011 for the Stars and Stripes, but failed to hit the back of the net to add to the 17 goals she has scored for the US in 70 appearances.
With the USA bidding for a third World Cup crown to add to their triumphs at the 1991 and 1999 tournaments, Sundhage says she has no plans to drop Rodriguez from her attack, even with youngster Alex Morgan in form.
Alongside veteran Abby Wambach, who scored against Brazil in the quarter-finals and France in the semis, Rodriguez has forged a key partnership for the US and Sundhage says she will keep the pair together.
Sundhage has brought Morgan off the bench in all bar one of the five games at the competition so far and the 22-year-old striker scored the final goal in the 3-1 win over the French.
"Amy Rodriguez played well before the World Cup and played well together with Abby Wambach," said Sundhage.
"I think they have been OK and she (Rodriguez) will score a goal sooner or later.
"I try to avoid looking (negatively) at any one player, there is a reason she hasn't had a breakthrough, it's not only her, it is the team."
The Stars and Stripes have never lost to Japan in 25 meetings since 1986 with 22 wins and three draws.
The Americans have already beaten Japan three times this year, once at the Algarve Cup in March and twice in pre-World Cup friendlies.
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