U.S. Women On Top of the World’s Soccer Stage Once Again
July 6, 2015
After a long 16 years, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team boldly brought the World Cup title back to the United States on Sunday, July 5th. Scoring four goals in the first 16 minutes, including a hat trick (three goals by one player), helped the U.S. women rise up against Japan in a rematch of the 2011 women’s World Cup final. With this year’s win, the United States became the first country to win three FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) women’s World Cup titles.
The United States Women’s National Team celebrates with their trophy after they beat Japan 5-2 in the FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer championship in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Credit: © Elaine Thompson, AP Photo
In 1991, the United States won the first FIFA-sponsored women’s World Cup championship. Just like the men’s World Cup and the Olympics, this event is held every four years. The United States won the title again in 1999, the first of two consecutive tournaments hosted in the United States. The U.S. did not make the finals in 2003 or 2007. In 2011, they lost to Japan in penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw in the 90-minute regulation playing time.
Canada hosted the 2015 women’s World Cup. Throughout the games leading up to the final, the United States prevented almost all of their opponents from scoring. Only Australia, in the very first game of the month-long tournament, was able to get past U.S. goalie Hope Solo. The United States Women’s National Team won five games and had one 0-0 draw, or tie.
Japan coasted through all the stages leading to the semi-final. After 90 minutes of play, Japan and England were tied 1-1 in the semi-final. But in stoppage time (the time added on for injuries), England hit an “own goal” into their net and put Japan up 2-1. That was enough for Japan to win and move on to play the U.S. in the final.
On Sunday evening, both the U.S. and Japan teams looked strong. But with the fastest hat trick in women’s World Cup final history by Carli Lloyd, and another goal by Lauren Holiday, the U.S. were off to an unbelievable start, up 4-0 just 16 minutes in. After a goal for Japan in the 28th minute, Japan built momentum in the second half and scored again. But another goal scored by the U.S. slowed Japan’s momentum, and the U.S. went on to win 5-2. With the team’s five goals against Japan, the U.S. now hold the record for most goals scored in women’s World Cup play, with 112.
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