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SPORTS Monday 8 July 2019

U.S. beats Dutch 2-0, wins 2nd World Cup title, in a row

By ANNE M. PETERSON Video review, adopted by
AP Sports Writer FIFA for the men’s World
LYON, France (AP) — Me- Cup last year, showed its
gan Rapinoe stood on the impact when Stephanie
field, arms outstretched, Frappart, the first woman
striking her now trademark to referee a men’s Ligue 1
victory pose symbolizing match, initially did not call
the confidence of a U.S. the foul on Morgan, then
team that celebrated and went to the screen at the
savored each triumph at side of the field, watched
the Women’s World Cup. replays and signaled to-
Rapinoe won the Golden ward the spot.
Ball as top player and the Rapinoe, who missed Tues-
Golden Boot as top scor- day’s semifinal win over
er, and the United States England with a hamstring
backed up its sometimes injury, became the first
brash dominance by win- woman to score on a pen-
ning while simultaneously alty kick during a Women’s
making a strong statement World Cup final, her 50th
for gender equity. goal in 158 international
“We’ve done exactly what appearances. She ended
we set out to do, done the Netherlands’ 317-min-
exactly what we wanted ute scoreless streak and
to do, said what we feel,” matched Morgan and Eng-
Rapinoe said. “All of us, United States’ team celebrates with trophy after winning the Women’s World Cup final soccer land’s Ellen White for most
really. I know sometimes match between US and The Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France, goals in the tournament,
my voice is louder, but ev- Sunday, July 7, 2019. winning the Golden Ball
erybody is in this together. Associated Press based on fewer minutes.
We’re such a proud and Lavelle, at 24 the team’s her & the team.” He said FIFA president Gianni In- Rapinoe was given a stand-
strong and defiant group up-and-coming star, add- he would invite the team fantino handed over the ing ovation when she was
of women.” ed her third goal of the win or lose. trophy, a stark contrast to substituted in the 79th min-
The U.S. won its record tournament on an 18-yard But shortly the title game four years ago in Canada, ute. The crowd of 57,900 at
fourth Women’s World Cup left-footed shot in the 69th Trump posted: “Congratu- when then-president Sepp Stade de Lyon for Le Grand
title and second in a row, after a solo run from the lations to the U.S. Women’s Blatter was a no-show as Finale included France
beating the Netherlands center circle. Soccer Team on winning U.S. prosecutors investigat- President Emmanuel Ma-
2-0 Sunday night when “It’s been a long journey. the World Cup! Great and ed corruption in soccer’s cron.
Rapinoe converted a tie- It doesn’t seem real yet. I exciting play. America is governing body. While the Rebounding from a loss to
breaking penalty kick in hasn’t hit me, it’s so surreal, proud of you all!” U.S. had four titles, Germa- Sweden on penalty kicks
the second half and Rose to be part of this group and Rapinoe also called out ny is the only other nation in the quarterfinals of the
Lavelle added a goal. to play with these players,” FIFA on the eve of the with even two. 2016 Olympics, the Ameri-
Rapinoe scored in the 61st Lavelle said. championship, suggesting With confidence that some cans opened the World
minute after a video review The month-long journey isn’t soccer’s governing body called even arrogance — Cup with a record 13-0 rout
determined Stefanie van over quite yet for players was not doing enough to triggering a backlash that of lowly Thailand, trigger-
der Gragt had fouled Alex who captured the hearts grow the women’s game, the angry response was ing debate over whether
Morgan with a kick to the of a nation. New York City pointing to unequal prize sexist — this American team the celebrations after each
shoulder while competing Mayor Bill de Blasio needed money and the scheduling established a standard that goal were excessive. Carli
for deflected pass in the just a few seconds after the of the final on the same day exceeded the U.S. champi- Lloyd responded the next
penalty area. match to invite the team as the championships of ons of 1991, 1999 and 2015, match by following a goal
Two days past her 34th to a ticker-tape parade the CONCACAF Gold Cup becoming a goal for all oth- with a polite golf clap. Then
birthday, Rapinoe slot- up the Canyon on Heroes in Chicago and the Copa ers to match. Mia Hamm Morgan stirred it up again
ted the ball past Sari van in Manhattan on Wednes- America final in Brazil. and Brandi Chastain were when she scored against
Veenendaal for her sixth day. Whether unequal treat- among the former Ameri- England and celebrated
goal of the tournament. Fans, many dressed in red, ment from soccer officials can players joined the as if sipping tea, pinkie out-
She became the oldest white and blue, chanted will change is uncertain. The current generation for the stretched.
player to score in a Wom- “Equal Pay!” at the final Americans’ dominance in postgame celebration. To- Now, after all the memora-
en’s World Cup final. whistle , a reminder players France is unquestioned. bin Heath made angels in ble drama, they will have a
“Getting to play at the sued the U.S. Soccer Fed- They never trailed at the the fallen confetti. fourth star above the crest
highest level of the World eration in March claiming tournament and set re- Alyssa Naeher, the 31-year- on the team’s jerseys and
Cup with the team we gender discrimination. The cords with 26 goals and a old who succeeded Hope a higher platform to ad-
have is just ridiculous. But sides have agreed to medi- 12-game World Cup win- Solo in goal, faced repeat- vance their cause.
to be able to couple that ate the lawsuit. ning streak dating to 2015. ed questions entering the “It’s something that we’ve
with everything on the field Rapinoe drew the ire of U.S. Jill Ellis became the first tournament but allowed worked so hard for. All of
and to back up all of those President Donald Trump coach to lead a team to just three goals and finished us, individually, have just
words with performances during the tournament by two Women’s World Cup with her fourth shutout. faced so much adversity
and to back up all of those saying she would refuse to titles, and the U.S. joined The U.S. had scored within through this whole jour-
performances with words, visit the White House. Trump Germany in 2003 and 2007 the first 12 minutes of its ney,” Morgan said. “We’ve
it’s just incredible,” Rapinoe called out Rapinoe on Twit- as the only repeat champi- previous six matches but been tested individually
said. “I feel like this team ter, saying she should never ons. the European champions and collectively so much.
is in the midst of changing “disrespect our Country, “It’s just chemistry. They sat back to keep their de- So to see, four years ago, us
the world around us as we the White House, or our put their hearts and soul fensive shape and kept the go from two to three, and
live, and it’s just an incred- Flag, especially since so into this journey,” Ellis said. score 0-0 through the first now three to four, it’s really
ible feeling.” much has been done for “They made history.” half. a dream come true.”q