By: Dylan Edelman Once again, the U.S. Women's National Soccer team (USWNT) showed the world their powerhouse strength on and off the field. This summer, for a record fourth time, the U.S. team won the biggest prize in international soccer after beating the Netherlands 2-0 in the final. Touted as one of the most competitive women’s World Cup since its inception, the American women rallied as a unified squad and hardly missed a beat. Considered to be the pre-tournament favorites, the U.S. team validated the badge of honor by winning all of its matches in France. Scoring a record breaking 26 goals in total (half of those goals came in the team's first game against Thailand 13-0), they won seven straight games, including four knockout playoff games in a row against a series of fierce European rivals. Even USWNT head coach Jill Ellis made history after she became the first coach to win the Women’s World Cup twice. Their strategy was intense, electric offensive starts followed by feats of endurance in defense. The quick starts were deliberate as opposing teams faced a relentless barrage of attacks. Defending their reigning 2015 title, the Americans thrashed Thailand in game 1 (13-0). Alex Morgan scored an astonishing five goals, while Rose Lavelle and Samantha Mewis scored two apiece. With 6 goals being scored in the last twenty minutes of play, the USWNT where criticized for poor sportsmanship due to their exuberant celebrations. Cruising to another shutout, the U.S. clinched their spot with a 3-0 win against Chile. Carli Lloyd added to her World Cup legend by scoring twice in the first half. Through 2 matches, the U.S. had accrued a 16-0 goal record and a 65-3 advantage in shots according to washingtonpost.com. Game three proved to be the real fundamental test for the Americans. Facing Sweden, a mighty opponent, the U.S. clinched the top spot of their group with another shutout (2-0). Lindsey Horan scored early on and the lead doubled with a Swedish own goal early in the second half. This was the first time that the Americans had ever won all three group matches via shutouts. Perseverance and two penalty kicks goals by Megan Rapinoe squeezed out a win against Spain in game four. Spain had made it clear from the start they weren’t going to be another pushover team against the U.S. Allowing their first goal of the tournament, the USWNT barely secured their spot in the quarterfinals 2-1. Facing the host team, France, the U.S. managed to survive with a 2-1 win in the quarterfinals. Again, Megan Rapinoe scored both times: one on a free kick in the first half and the other during play in the second half. Late in the game, France scored with a header and continued to threaten the defense until the ending whistle blew. The semifinal game tested the U.S. women. Not only were they facing mighty England, but co-captain Megan Rapinoe was not playing, being sidelined from a hamstring injury. An early goal by Christen Press (Rapinoe’s replacement) was quickly equalized when England scored minutes later. Alex Morgan came to the rescue when she booted a winning goal in the 31st minute (2-1). Ellen White’s goal was disallowed, being ruled offside, and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher saved a crucial penalty kick in the last pressing minutes of play. The USWNT was headed to their third straight World Cup final. Undaunted by the U.S., the Netherlands approached their first time in the finals with drive and determination. Evenly matched, the game yielded no score by the half. Tensions rose, but by combining tremendous skill and savvy, the U.S. fought to meet the increasingly tough challenges the Netherland team presented. Rapinoe scored after converting a penalty and breakout star Rose Lavelle added to the lead a few minutes later when she drove home a shot from just inside the box. The American women were making history with a 2-0 win in the finals. There have been eight Women's World Cups, and the USWNT has won half of them. Winning the World Cup again was not the only achievement of the American women. They transcended soccer by raising awareness about pay inequality for female athletes, women’s rights, gay rights and feminism. As role models, they hope to inspire a new generation on and off the soccer field.
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Dylan EdelmanWilson Senior Archives
February 2020
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