The 4th of July weekend was capped for Americans as their women's world cup soccer team took the title for a 3rd time, beating Japan 5-2 in front of more than 53 thousand fans at B.C Place stadium in Vancouver Sunday.
The U.S got 4 goals in the first 16 minutes of play, more than enough to beat Japan, with Carli Lloyd scoring a hat trick. It was pretty much over after that, and you'd think the game would have been boring from that moment on, with the U.S sitting back protecting their own zone and simply running out the clock.
You would not be more wrong.
I watched the game, and even though it really was over and done with after that first 16 minutes, neither side quit. It would have been easy for the Japanese to "roll over and play dead", but they didn't. Once they regained some composure, they started pressing the attack, and created quite a few good scoring chances.
It would have been easy for the Americans to sit back and protect their own zone. They didn't, but also pressed the attack, ending up scoring their 5th goal and also creating a lot more chances.
Heck, if it hadn't been for the opening flurry of goals, the game would have been a nail-biter. Even so, I thought that (in terms of play) it was one of the best games, if not the best game, of the tournament.
It also marked the end of some stellar careers. Amy Wambach has retired, as did Christie Rampone, who was the last hold-over team member from the 1999 championship squad.
The game was also revenge for the U.S. Japan beat them for the title on penalty kicks 4 years ago in 2011.
Congratulations to Team U.S.A.
TTFN
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