U.S. Women’s National Team Captures Title and Inspires Nation
FILE – In this July 5, 2015 file photo, confetti floats down as the United States Women’s National Team women celebrate with their trophy after beating Japan 5-2 in the FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer championship in Vancouver, Canada. On Friday July 10, 2015, in New York, the team will make their way through swirling ticker tape up Broadway’s Canyon of Heroes to a ceremony at City Hall, where they will be the first national team since 1984 and the first all-female team ever to be honored with the iconic parade. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
September 3, 2015
When the final whistle blew at the 2015 Women’s Fifa World Cup, it marked the end of a 90 minute battle between the U.S. and defending World Champions Japan. It marked the end of the month long tournament and the end of a 16 year world cup title drought for the U.S. Women’s Nation Team (USWNT).
Some players wrapped themselves in American flags and others knelt to their knees with tears streaming down their face as the roar of U.S. fans engulfed the Vancouver stadium. All looked around, taking in every moment as their dreams finally came true.
The artificial turf beneath them was no longer the focus of the tournament but the team that did so much more than capture their third World Cup title; the team that inspired a nation and brought to light women’s soccer.
“So many times you see woman’s soccer get ignored,” senior Amanda Kerlin said. “I hope this win shows people that we are to be taken seriously and that having a team that plays well together is better that having a team of players that play well.”
Nearly 25.4 million people watched the World Cup final game, according to Fox, making it “the highest metered market rating ever for a soccer game in the U.S. on a single network.” The NBA finals draw an average of 13.9 million viewers and the Stanley Cup finals draw an average of 7.6 million viewers.
As the ladies in red, white and blue put on a scoring demonstration for their record setting audience, winning 5-2 in blowout fashion, many took note of not only their talent but their passion, mentality, teamwork and drive.
“The U.S. went in with the mentality for a second chance but when it got to game time against Germany, I know many people, myself included, really doubted if the U.S. would come out on top,” senior Mareea Gaines said. “Even through those challenging matches, the USWNT stayed focused and determined to reach their goal.”
The team’s success also inspired kickers everywhere to strive for their goals.
“Seeing the women’s team do good makes me want to work hard to strive towards that,” freshman Emma Hensley said.
Before the start of the World Cup the USWNT posted a letter on social media introducing their #shebelieves campaign meant to inspire followers to believe in themselves.
Young girls all over the country have begun to model their play and mentality after those they look up to on the USWNT.
“Shannon Boxx doesn’t score a lot but she still works really had and makes a difference on the field,” Hensley said. “She shows that scoring doesn’t define who you are as a player and that you can play your best at any spot.”
What the USWNT demonstrates the most is the importance of teamwork and being a part of a team.
“They show that being a part of a team is more than just winning,” Kerlin said.
The 2015 World Cup win made three for the USWNT represented by the three stars above the crest on their jersey. The organization won in 1991 and 1999 making it the most successful team in the Women’s World Cup history.
Christie Rampone was the only 2015 member to have already won a World Cup. The remaining 22 members sat at home watching the infamous ’99 team that never backed down, dreaming about the day they too would lift the trophy over their heads just as young girls did today.
The final whistle of the world cup brought an end to much more than a championship drought but brought a beginning to a new generation of champions inspired by the team that never stopped believing.
