Seton Hall
Superstars wearing the red,white, and blue
Date: July 22, 2019By: Ronny Castaneda
In a soccer frenzied summer, the world got to see its most famous sport compete at the highest of levels all throughout the world. Amongst all the star power from the Copa America in Brazil and Gold Cup in the U.S., it was a group of 23 young American women who undoubtedly stole the show in France.
It seemed routine as the team packed up everything and left for France after a dominating victory against Mexico to end their farewell tour. The U.S had been coming off their third Women’s World Cup championship, in a polarizing defeat of Japan, a vengeance after their penalty kick loss to them in the 2011 Finals.
The U.S. had shown their might and were now prepared to unleash it on the biggest stage. Every field player on the team saw time in the tournament, which only goes to show the depth that the team had. Although Alyssa Naeher manned the goal throughout the tournament, the goalie depth matched up just as well.
Accompanying Naeher on the goalie depth chart was two-time NWSL goalie of the year Adrianna Franch and Ashlyn Harris, who had spent some time behind Hope Solo back in the 2015 World Cup. The group wasted no time racking up win after win, and embarrassing teams as they reached the ultimate goal of winning the World Cup.
Victories were not the only thing the women racked up. The team managed to break some tremendous records within the tournament’s history. Their first 13-0 blowout win of the tournament against Thailand saw both the largest margin of victory and most goals scored within a world cup match.
In the match, co-captain Alex Morgan tied the record for most goals in a single match with five, a much needed push after coming into the tournament having not scored the USA’s last five matches. The team would match those 13 goals throughout the tournament to also break the record for most goals in a single World Cup with 26. The achievements also progressed off the field as manager Jill Ellis became the first coach to win two cups.
But controversy wasn’t too far behind the team. The first batch of controversy stemmed from the celebration after each and every single one of the team’s 13 goals against Thailand. Seemingly unfazed, the team would go on to defeat the host nation in the quarterfinal, then eliminate the Lioness’ of England in the semifinal, where Morgan would spur up some more controversy after her tea sipping celebration. Although it may not have sat well with some, back home the celebration only brought more excitement to the team as they headed into the final.
But the outspoken star of the whole tournament for the U.S would have to be the phenomenal Megan Rapinoe. Now 34, Rapinoe was with a part of the older age group on the team, but she still had plenty left in the tank. Following comments regarding a White House visit. The president quickly responded to the comments, stating that Rapinoe should focus on winning before speaking about a visit to the nation’s capital.
Well, she did that, and then some. Rapinoe would take home the Golden Boot for most individual goals and Golden Ball for best player in the tournament, absolutely silencing any and every doubt that came her, in style.
As the tournament drew closer to the end and what seemed to be the U.S.’ inevitable victory, the party was only getting started. The USWNT had been center stage for all young soccer stars as they gathered the attention and love from the entire nation. Television time, endorsements were only the beginning for the team as they carried their locker room celebration back into the states.
New York was also showered in confetti as the team made its way to City Hall to receive keys to New York City. After spending months together, each player returned to their respective homes, only to be showered in endless love and admiration, as they proved to be the idols that every ball player needed.
As fans impatiently await the next WWC, the location is still to be determined, Americans can only wait and watch the young generation of the team continue to carry the torch, with Mallory Pugh and Rose Lavelle already showing signs of stardom in only their first World Cup. Yet with the excitement of the new generation coming along strongly, means that the solidified stars may have seen the World Cup stage for the last time.
Rapinoe would be 38 during the next World Cup and the hero of the 2015 World Cup Final Carli Lloyd would be 40, and the likes of Tobin Heath, Morgan and Becky Sauerbrunn still undetermined as they enter well into their 30s.
Regardless, the endless tenacity and pure grit from the USWNT will be enough to push and embrace the new generation for years to come, as they begin the quest for a fifth star on their jerseys, and another tune to go along with it.
Ronny Castaneda can be reached at ronald.castaneda@student.shu.edu.
