USA Wins the Women's World Cup 2015
YAY EVERYONE. Or, most of you. Lots of yay to go around.
There IS that one dark cloud or asterisk that's attached to this one, though. And it's true that I do have Lots Of Serious Concerns and Questions about Hope Solo's eligibility to play in goal. It felt like making the greedy decision above what was probably the right decision. Hardly the first time that has ever happened, but naturally I had hoped our side would be better than that. (Obviously, that's just my two cents on the issue; I am not pro-Solo on this one, especially given her sizable history with behavioral drama, the likes of which predictably gets ignored because she is talented.)
So, I was thrilled that the U.S.'s victory here came on the back of an offensive barrage (even with some admittedly clutch saves from Solo in the second half). Cheering for any professional sports team requires swallowing your bile about the behavior of SOMEONE on it -- call it The Fan's Lament; it's a bit like trying to separate the art from the artist, and it's an eternal debate. But as far as I know the other women on that squad are awesome, and I cheer for them without compunction, so I am DELIGHTED and PROUD of them.
USA Wins the Women's World Cup 2015
I understand wanting to give them something for a photo op, but this looks like one of those cheap paper frames that house people's T-ball team photos.
USA Wins the Women's World Cup 2015
Before we get into this any further: Congrats to Japan. That team could have rolled over after it went down 4-0, but the women rallied to score and then created some of the chaos that led to the Johnson own-goal that cut the lead to two (before Tobin Heath finally iced it). There were some truly scary tries and scary-good long balls in the second half. I was impressed. They played with grit and class. Seriously, is it just me, or does women's soccer as a whole involve WAY LESS whiny flopping than the men's game?
Carli Lloyd
She was ABSURDLY clutch in this entire tournament -- she is the only reason the US made it this far, really, with five goals and two assists beyond that. She's only the third U.S. woman to score a hat trick in World Cup play, and I don't think it's EVER happened in the finals, apart from 1966 when England's men won it. I watched the game with my niece, nephew, and sons, and I am thrilled they all got to see Carli Lloyd remind the world that gender doesn't matter when it comes to being world class. I hope they understand that it's not women's soccer, per se, but rather soccer that happens to be played by women. Same game. Same rules. Same field. RESPECT, y'all.
Megan Rapinoe
Megan's two goals in the first game got us past Australia. You kiss that trophy, Megan. YOU KISS IT HARD.
Alex Morgan
This feels like such a bittersweet cry. I always wonder if it's hard for the team's ostensible leaders in these situations, knowing this same group won't be at it again; knowing there are goodbyes to say.
Abby Wambach
I wonder if this will be on the Sports Illustrated cover. It probably should not be, as this wasn't Abby Wambach's tournament, and yet in a lot of ways it was anyway: She's the team's emotional leader, she's retiring, it was the last box she had left to check, and she's been one of the most remarkable players in the history of soccer.
USA Wins the Women's World Cup 2015
She so rarely goofs off in front of the cameras. I love the celebration. What a career.
Abby Wambach
She's 35. Her teammate Christie Rampone turned 40 in late June. Theoretically, Abby could try to go again in 2019, but she says she's retiring, and boy, does this look like farewell.
Abby Wambach
SNIFFLE. Thanks for the memories, Abby. And the hardware.