It took all of three minutes for the United States to get on the board against Japan in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final. US midfielder Carli Lloyd scored the opening goal for the Americans in a strong 5-2 victory over the reigning world champions. Lloyd added a second goal in the 5th minute and a third in the 16th minute. US midfielders Lauren Holiday and Tobin Heath also added to the tally with goals in the 14th and 54th minutes respectively.
Even across the border in Canada, the United States Women’s National Team could feel the overwhelming support from the sea of red, white, and blue pulsing around BC Place Stadium in Vancouver. All eyes were on the Americans as the team looked for World Cup glory and to avenge their defeat to Japan in the 2011 World Cup Final.
While the USWNT were confronted with harsh criticism and often struggled throughout the tournament, they proved that while a win may not be decisive, or pretty, the best teams always find a way to win.
The US will now be adding a well-deserved third star to their jerseys representing wins in the ’91,’99, and ’15 FIFA Women’s World Cup. What does their win mean for US Soccer?
With the huge World Cup victory on Sunday night the US Women have turned heads. The support from celebrities and professional sports teams throughout the tournament has been unbelievable. The fame and recognition that the players gained has sparked a new wave of women’s soccer fans.
US Soccer can expect to see a higher demand for USWNT tickets for their post world cup victory tour and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the states can also expect to see higher attendance after fans come off their World Cup high. All in all the support and attention the team has received from the World Cup will bolster leagues back home financially and in turn help inspire a new generation of women soccer players.
As one World Cup cycle comes to a close another one begins. For seasoned veterans like Shannon Boxx, Christie Rampone, and Abby Wambach the feeling is bittersweet. What better way to leave their sport than after winning a World Cup? The US Women’s National Team is one of the oldest teams in the sport and must now look to rebuild their dynasty with a new mix of players and coaches.
Depth is one area that this USWNT roster does not struggle with. Or so it would seem. It’s no secret that US defender Julie Johnston narrowly made the World Cup team and when she was given the chance, rose to stardom as she helped the defense shutout opponents for close to 540 minutes in World Cup competition.
Along with Johnston, the United States midfield is jam packed with talent both young and old, and the arsenal of attacking options up top is enough to make former US goalkeeper coach, Paul Rogers, go bald.
But how deep really is the US squad? For instance, remove Hope Solo from the mix and you had two other very talented keepers on the roster to take her place: Ashlyn Harris and Alyssa Naeher. The problem is that these keepers lacked the experience at the international level that Solo has accumulated over the years. If Solo had been suspended or injured from competition in the early stages of the World Cup would Harris or Naeher have been prepared to step in?
It has been said before that there is serious concern for the female player development programs in the US. This is a major problem because as the US seems to have hit a peak and they aren’t exactly getting better, although it is quite hard to improve on this performance. Some countries that have struggled at the full international stage are quickly improving.
In Group D play, fans witnessed the speed and technical prowess of the Nigerians as they surprised the world with world class football against the likes of No. 10-ranked Australia, No. 5-ranked Sweden, and the No. 2-ranked USA. The gap between the US and the rest of the women’s football world is slowly disappearing and emphasis should be on development for these next two or three years.
Winning and development are not always on the same wavelength and the coaching staff must now look to younger talent to bring into the mix. Save the winning for the Olympics and the World Cup. Develop now, win later.
This brings up another vital question for the USSF. Jill Ellis took control of the team months before the World Cup and has had her fair share of critics. She understood the demands of her position and that her only job was to bring home the World Cup.
After sixteen years and a close call in 2011, the American’s have recaptured the World Cup and only over recent games have supporters of Ellis emerged to voice their praise on social media.
Where were these fans after the 0-0 draw with South Korea in the final game of the send-off series or after strings of weak performances in group play where the infamous long ball tactic never seemed to tire?
At the end of the day Jill Ellis and the USWNT won the World Cup. So in those respects she did her job. The USSF must now evaluate the coaching staff and see if Ellis can meet the team’s needs on the developmental front.
These are all questions that must be addressed moving forward. But for now it’s important for the U.S players to celebrate with their teammates, families, and friends and return in top form to their club teams for the remainder of their regular seasons.