Ceci Ferrara
July 6, 2015
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
For the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, the wait is over. Behind an incredible performance by midfield and team captain Carli Lloyd, the U.S. women routed Japan 5-2 to win the Women’s World Cup on Sunday night, their first victory in 16 years. The U.S. is now the only country to have won the tournament three times: 1991, 1999 and 2015.
“It doesn’t feel real. We just made history,” said Lloyd, whose first-half hat trick led her team to victory.
Lloyd scored three goals within the first 20 minutes, including an improbable one from 55 yards down-field. Her aggressive offense set the tone for the U.S. team, which did not back down. “I called her my beast,” U.S. coach Jill Ellis said of Lloyd afterward. “She’s unbelievable. She’s a rock star.”
Lauren Holiday added a goal to give the U.S. an early 4-0 lead, which caused many fans — both in the stands and watching on TV — to start celebrating early. But Japan quickly reminded them there was a lot of soccer left to play. Yuki Ogimi netted a goal before half-time, breaking the U.S.’ streak of 567 minutes of shutout play.
They scored again in the second half, when the U.S. knocked the ball into its own net in the 52nd minute. With the lead suddenly cut to two, the game no longer looked like a runaway, but instead of a shift in momentum, the U.S. women responded with a fifth goal — this time by Tobin Heath.
Though Japan tried mightily to bounce back, including bringing in Homare Sawa, the hero of their 2011 World Cup victory, it was not enough to overcome the early deficit, or the U.S.’ explosive offense and rock-solid defense. They managed just four shots on goal, compared to the U.S.’ seven.
Along with Lloyd, goalie Hope Solo was the U.S.’ tournament standout. She allowed just two goals overall (both on Sunday), and for her performance was awarded the Golden Gloves which is bestowed upon the best goalie of the competition. Lloyd, meanwhile, was awarded the Golden Ball, which recognized her as the best player at the World Cup.
The U.S. women’s first World Cup victory since 1999 could not have come at a better time–or against a better opponent. Just one day after the 239th birthday of our country, the U.S. women avenged their 2011 World Cup shootout defeat to Japan. That victory comes three years after the U.S. beat the Japanese in the gold medal match at the 2012 Olympics.
In that 2-1 victory, it was Lloyd who scored both goals. That game was fresh in Japan’s coach Norio Sasaki’s mind when he said after the loss, “She always does this to us.”
The Americans now hold both major titles in women’s soccer for the first time since 1999.
