CHICAGO – At the end of the first half, Team Netherlands was still in good shape against Team USA. The score was tied 0 – 0 as both squads headed to the locker room to regroup and plan out their strategies for the second half. US Coach, Jill Ellis, probably encouraged her team to keep playing the good, strong, and patient game. Her words of wisdom paid-off, because Team USA went back to the pitch and were on fire from the start of minute 46. Attack. Attack. And attack was the strategy for the US Team and they continuously applied pressure to the Dutch.
Megan Rapinoe was the first player to find the net after Team USA was awarded an undisputed PK. A study in poise and perfection, Rapinoe read the Dutch Keeper’s body language and as she, the Keeper dove to the right, Rapinoe calmly placed the ball on the Keeper’s left. An example of beauty in motion. 1-0. Team USA.
The young player, Rose Lavelle, a Ohio native and usual player for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL, soon followed up Rapinoe’s goal with one of her own. Despite finding herself in a bit of traffic and surrounded by two Dutch players, Lavelle, quickly passed from her right foot to her left, hesitated a moment to let a defender pass her, and then – with the ball at her left foot, fired an unstoppable rocket to the to the right corner of the goal. 2 – 0. Team USA.
After winning their 2nd World Cup title in a row, the American Team is reportedly not going to Disneyland. However, the team did get together and celebrate a bit. Allie Long posted this on her Twitter feed:
I love my girls. @USWNT pic.twitter.com/IPLS1nXTS7— Allie Long (@ALLIE_LONG) July 7, 2019
Later today, the US Men’s will meet the Mexican National Team at Soldier Field in Chicago for the Championship game in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. All fingers are crossed for a US Sweep in two of the most important summer soccer tournaments.
Photos courtesy of ISI Photos.
