Armour: In winning World Cup title, U.S. women have legacy all their own.
And the goals in the 14th and 16th minutes? Those were to put an emphatic stamp on the legacy that is most definitely, most deservedly, their own.
Carli Lloyd. Abby Wambach. Julie Johnston. Megan Rapinoe. Yes, even Hope Solo. These are the icons of a new generation.
The U.S. women didn't just step out of the shadow of the '99ers by beating Japan 5-2 to win the World Cup title on Sunday, the Americans' third and first since that iconic final in the Rose Bowl. They turned off a spotlight that had burned for 16 years.
FOR THE WIN
There is no comparison between the 2015 and 1999 U.S. World Cup triumphs
decade from now, teenage girls – and boys – will recall where they were when Lloyd scored not one, not two, but three goals in the first 16 minutes of Sunday's final, a dazzling display that defies logic even in this era of the FIFA video game. They'll be inspired to play because of Rapinoe's creativity and a defense that was a brick wall for 540 minutes.
And they'll be reminded what happens when 23 of the most talented players in the world put aside their egos to play as one.
"Pure elation," U.S. coach Jill Ellis said of her emotions after the victory. "I'm so, so proud of this team and these players, so happy for every little girl that dreams about this."
As the final seconds ticked down, the players on the U.S. bench stood with arms wrapped around each other's shoulders, hopping up and down. When the final whistle sounded, a roar erupted that could be heard all the way to the Florida Keys.
Wambach, whose glittering resumê is now complete, beamed and hugged every teammate within arm's reach before running and picking up Ellis. She then ran to the stands to hug her wife before grabbing an American flag and wrapping it around her shoulders.
It wasn't a perfect performance by any means. The shutout streak ended in the 27th minute with a goal by Yuki Ogimi, and Johnston's botched clearance in the 52nd led to an own goal.
But it didn't need to be. And it was fitting that it wasn't.
FOR THE WIN
Watch all 7 goals from the bananas U.S. World Cup win
These Americans prided themselves on picking each other up, believing their faith in each other could carry them through anything.
"Unbelievable group," Lloyd said after lifting the trophy with her teammates. "Collectively unbelievable. So happy and so proud."
Two weeks ago, the U.S. didn't even look as if it would make the final, playing a stodgy, defensive-oriented style that didn't excite – or intimidate – anyone. The undercurrent of the criticism being, of course, that this group didn't measure up to that '99 team.
But for every way this team differed from its predecessor 16 years ago, it shared the only thing that mattered: An unflappable self-confidence and belief in each other.
When Ellis took the shackles off Lloyd against China, allowing her to be the threat she so naturally is, it gave the entire team freedom. For the rest of the tournament, the Americans played with a swagger that said they were the best team in the world.
First, though, there was one more ghost to exorcise.
The Americans were convinced this day was coming four years ago, only to wind up watching Japan lift the trophy. They blew not one, but two leads, before losing on penalties.
The pain of that disappointment has driven them for four years, and they were hell-bent on making sure they didn't feel it again. They each wanted to win the title for themselves, but they wanted to win it more for each other.
For Wambach, whose glittering resumé was missing only one thing. When she entered the game, Lloyd ran over and gave her the captain's armband, making sure everyone knew who's the leader of this team.
For Christie Rampone, the only active player left from 1999. For Shannon Boxx, who, like Wambach, had won Olympic GOLD medals and hundreds of games but never the one that mattered most. For all the players that have come and gone since 1999 and for all the players who will now come after.
And the goals in the 14th and 16th minutes? Those were to put an emphatic stamp on the legacy that is most definitely, most deservedly, their own.
Carli Lloyd. Abby Wambach. Julie Johnston. Megan Rapinoe. Yes, even Hope Solo. These are the icons of a new generation.
The U.S. women didn't just step out of the shadow of the '99ers by beating Japan 5-2 to win the World Cup title on Sunday, the Americans' third and first since that iconic final in the Rose Bowl. They turned off a spotlight that had burned for 16 years.
FOR THE WIN
There is no comparison between the 2015 and 1999 U.S. World Cup triumphs
decade from now, teenage girls – and boys – will recall where they were when Lloyd scored not one, not two, but three goals in the first 16 minutes of Sunday's final, a dazzling display that defies logic even in this era of the FIFA video game. They'll be inspired to play because of Rapinoe's creativity and a defense that was a brick wall for 540 minutes.
And they'll be reminded what happens when 23 of the most talented players in the world put aside their egos to play as one.
"Pure elation," U.S. coach Jill Ellis said of her emotions after the victory. "I'm so, so proud of this team and these players, so happy for every little girl that dreams about this."
As the final seconds ticked down, the players on the U.S. bench stood with arms wrapped around each other's shoulders, hopping up and down. When the final whistle sounded, a roar erupted that could be heard all the way to the Florida Keys.
Wambach, whose glittering resumê is now complete, beamed and hugged every teammate within arm's reach before running and picking up Ellis. She then ran to the stands to hug her wife before grabbing an American flag and wrapping it around her shoulders.
It wasn't a perfect performance by any means. The shutout streak ended in the 27th minute with a goal by Yuki Ogimi, and Johnston's botched clearance in the 52nd led to an own goal.
But it didn't need to be. And it was fitting that it wasn't.
FOR THE WIN
Watch all 7 goals from the bananas U.S. World Cup win
These Americans prided themselves on picking each other up, believing their faith in each other could carry them through anything.
"Unbelievable group," Lloyd said after lifting the trophy with her teammates. "Collectively unbelievable. So happy and so proud."
Two weeks ago, the U.S. didn't even look as if it would make the final, playing a stodgy, defensive-oriented style that didn't excite – or intimidate – anyone. The undercurrent of the criticism being, of course, that this group didn't measure up to that '99 team.
But for every way this team differed from its predecessor 16 years ago, it shared the only thing that mattered: An unflappable self-confidence and belief in each other.
When Ellis took the shackles off Lloyd against China, allowing her to be the threat she so naturally is, it gave the entire team freedom. For the rest of the tournament, the Americans played with a swagger that said they were the best team in the world.
First, though, there was one more ghost to exorcise.
The Americans were convinced this day was coming four years ago, only to wind up watching Japan lift the trophy. They blew not one, but two leads, before losing on penalties.
The pain of that disappointment has driven them for four years, and they were hell-bent on making sure they didn't feel it again. They each wanted to win the title for themselves, but they wanted to win it more for each other.
For Wambach, whose glittering resumé was missing only one thing. When she entered the game, Lloyd ran over and gave her the captain's armband, making sure everyone knew who's the leader of this team.
For Christie Rampone, the only active player left from 1999. For Shannon Boxx, who, like Wambach, had won Olympic GOLD medals and hundreds of games but never the one that mattered most. For all the players that have come and gone since 1999 and for all the players who will now come after.
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