Soccer, formally known as
association football, is known for the sheer difficulty of scoring points in
the game in comparison to most other team sports. That means every goal scored
is celebrated, hence the football nickname of “The Beautiful Game” among other
reasons. That also means that, in terms of FIFA tournament championships, it is
not common to have back-to-back champions. In the FIFA Women’s World Cup, for a
time Germany has been the only repeat champion. That feat, done in the FIFA WWC’s
of 2003 and 2007, has now been equaled this Sunday by reigning FIFA Women’s
champion, USA.
TIME reports that Team USA had indeed triumphed in defending its
2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup championship title, by beating the Netherlands this
July 7 at the 2019 Cup, held in France. The final game between American and
Dutch teams would be played at the Stade de Lyon, filled with up to 57,900
spectators eager to see which outcome will happen: a successful US defense of
the title (and bump their count to 4), or Holland succeeding in winning their
first Women’s World Cup championship. The American team was the first FIFA WWC
team to win three titles total following their 2015 victory over Japan.
But against the Dutch eager to be
the champions for once, the USA would find a worthy foe. Goalie Sari van
Veenedaal was like a stone wall against attempts by the Americans to score,
being a major factor in the scoreless first half of play. On the second half
however, US power would not be denied. It started on minute 62 of the game when
Megan Rapinoe, the controversial American co-captain put the ball through the
Dutch goal. When Rose Lavelle followed through later on, the Netherlands’ frustration
was completed via a 2-0 championship victory.
While Team USA was playing for
their country’s honor and glory in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, back home
they were ruffling feathers, particularly Rapinoe, 3-time WWC veteran and 2012
Olympian, who was a notorious critic of President Donald Trump. Her support for
vilified NFL player Colin Kaepernick’s dissent at the US National Anthem has
brought down the ire of Trump and his supporters on her. The team also sued the
US Soccer Federation this March for gender discrimination in terms of equal
pay, with Rapinoe and her co-captain Alex Morgan at their head.
adidas Golden Ball:— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 7, 2019
🥇 Megan RAPINOE - #USA
🥈 Lucy BRONZE - #ENG
🥉 Rose LAVELLE - #USA#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/ayJjnfGR1d
The US Women’s National Football
Team can expect a ticker-tape parade to welcome them back according to New York
City Mayor Bill de Blasio. In terms of other achievements Megan Rapinoe is in a
three-way Golden Boot tie for top scorer (with Morgan and England’s Ellen
White). She is also the top Golden Ball (MVP) winner, with teammate Rose
Lavelle getting the Bronze Ball (3rd).
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