USA World Cup Win Perfect Opportunity To Help Growth Of Women's Game In Country
USA's women achieved an incredible third World Cup title, and at the same time set the ball rolling for their game to be taken more seriously.
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By Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven)
When the USA plays its next match, it will do so with something no other team in the women’s international game can boast: a third star above the badge. Indeed, the US is once again women soccer’s dominant force, and their first World Cup triumph was delivered with a five-star performance in Sunday’s final.
Jill Ellis’ side had effectively beaten Japan within 16 minutes of the match in Vancouver. They were irresistible, with Carli Lloyd - a shimmering star of the tournament throughout - netting a hat-trick which included a sensational strike from just past the half-way line. “Literally, I don’t even know how that happens, especially in a World Cup final,” Abby Wambach said afterwards.
There was a momentary fightback to 4-2 from Japan, but the US were too strong - eventually clinching a 5-2 victory. This is a clash that has come to define women’s soccer over the past four years - with the US losing to Japan in 2011, before beating them at the 2012 Olympics - but the Americans put down a marker that might take some time to shift.
Four years ago, there was a sense that Japan had somewhat ridden their fortune to glory. Their success was seen by many as a failure of the US team rather than a triumph of their Asian counterparts. This time around, however, their luck was decidedly out - although their defensive organisation was even further out. Quite simply, Japan were second best.
Sunday’s match - particularly the opening 16 minutes - was a display of dynamic and frankly unstoppable attacking play from the USA. The nature of victory means that the 5-2 result will be remembered best when it comes time to reflect on the 2015 Women’s World Cup. But to remember the US team as the side they were against Japan would be somewhat disingenuous.
In fact, Ellis came under much scrutiny for her defensive tactics early on in the tournament. The USA conceded just a single goal in the group stage, playing a rigid 4-4-2 formation, but that defensive solidity came at the expense of goalscoring opportunity - of which there were few. That criticism was carried over into the first two knock-out round too, with the US edging out Colombia and China with narrow 1-0 victories.
But from the semi-finals onwards, Ellis let loose the reigns on her team - and no player benefitted from that shift in approach as much as Lloyd. The Houston Dash number 10 finished the Women’s World Cup as top scorer - with six goals - also claiming the Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player. Lloyd could even win the FIFA World Player of the Year award, but she wasn’t the only one to shine in the stars and stripes (or white, black and neon).
Julie Johnston enjoyed a magnificent breakthrough tournament, despite a shaky final performance, with the induction of Morgan Brian into the central midfield unit a key development in the USA’s progression under Ellis. Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath, Ali Krieger and Becky Sauerbrunn also impressed as America added their third star in Canada.
But it was Lloyd that took the “rock star” billing, as per Ellis’ own description after the emphatic win over Japan. President Barack Obama tweeted that the US team should visit the White House soon, and there is a sense that their triumph at this summer’s World Cup will only serve to grow and develop the women’s game in the country.
American glory at the 1999 World Cup proved to be something of a cultural phenomenon. By winning the competition 16 years ago, the US forced the real investment to be ploughed into the women’s game - not just in at home but around the soccer world too. The question now is what impact will the USA’s third World Cup triumph have on the sport?