US World Cup Champions in New York Show Our Girls the Sky’s the Limit (+ Photos)

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion U.S. Women’s National Team serve as inspiration to girls everywhere!
US World Cup Champions in New York Show Our Girls the Sky’s the Limit (+ Photos)
Barbara Danza
Updated:

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you might have noticed that the U.S. is pretty pumped up right now for soccer—women’s soccer—and its FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion U.S. Women’s National Team.

From a Google doodle to every morning news show; from the cover of Sports Illustrated to the Canyon of Heroes in New York City, the U.S. is celebrating this group of 23 athletes for a remarkable win and a powerful spirit that many find inspirational.

While this is the U.S. team’s third World Cup win, this 2015 success has its own unique character, as social media has allowed fans to get to know their favorite players and follow them intimately along their journey to victory.

This avalanche of positivity has proven a deep breathe of fresh air.

In addition to that, while great scrutiny has been placed upon women’s issues in recent years and much attention given to the messages society sends our girls, this avalanche of positivity has proven a deep breathe of fresh air.

The win was a big one—with a final score of a whopping 5-2. In the moment of glory, many players took to twitter, including:

All team members: Ali Krieger, Kelley O‘Hara, Amy Rodriguez, Sydney Leroux, Morgan Brian, Alex Morgan, Julie Johnston, Tobin Heath, Lori Chalupny, Ashlyn Harris, Christen Press, Abby Wambach, Alyssa Naeher, Christie Rampone, Heather O’Reilly, Hope Solo, Meghan Klingenberg, Becky Sauerbrunn, Carli Lloyd, Lauren Holiday, Megan Rapinoe, Shannon Boxx, and Whitney Engen, received kudos from the president.

In a phone call to the team earlier this week, Barack Obama said, “You guys worked really hard and made us all really proud.”

A girl cheers as the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team make their way up the Canyon of Heroes along Broadway during a ticker tape parade in New York City on July 10, 2015. (Petr Svab/Epoch Times)
A girl cheers as the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team make their way up the Canyon of Heroes along Broadway during a ticker tape parade in New York City on July 10, 2015. Petr Svab/Epoch Times

And pride is certainly what comes through if you take a gander at fan support on social media. Hashtag #SheBelieves has been established as “a message to girls and women that they can accomplish their goals and dreams,” according to the team’s website

Many young soccer-playing girls soaked up the dream-invigorating atmosphere.

Pride is also evident if you speak to any soccer-loving girl, like Gianna, age 12, from Hazlet, N.J., who said: “It means that women can do anything, too, and it’s awesome to see that you can achieve anything you put your mind to. It allows you to think, ‘Wow, I can be there someday,’ and makes you work even harder to achieve your goal of playing for the best team in the world.”

The champions were celebrated in New York City on Friday, July 10 at 11 a.m. down the Canyon of Heroes, marking the first time such an honor has ever been bestowed upon an all-female team.

In response to Mayor Bill DeBlasio’s announcement confirming the parade, player Kelley O'Hara tweeted:

Can’t wait for more confetti and to celebrate with the #BestFansintheWorld https://t.co/ErKtMuqqnR

— Kelley O'Hara (@kohara19) July 7, 2015

And the best fans they were. The parade route along Broadway, from Battery Park to City Hall, was lined with thousands, and the concentration of female soccer fans and players was evident.

Among the patriotic shouts of “U.S.A.!” many young soccer-playing girls soaked up the dream-invigorating atmosphere.

Emma Philip, 13, came from Brooklyn to watch the parade with her mother. Phillip has been playing soccer since she was 5, and likes “pretty much everything about the game.”

“You learn a lot about growing up through sports,” she said. “You have to work as a team.”

Not only she followed closely the World Cup games, her team was even picked to go to Canada to participate in the many women’s soccer matches organized alongside the championship. Thanks to that, Philip had a chance to go to Montreal and Ottawa to see some of the World Cup matches too. That, in turn, pumped her up for her own games.

“It was very inspirational,” she said. “It kind of boosted everyone’s energy.”

In the future Philip wants to get to a college through soccer, but that’s as far as she would plan right now.

Emma Philip (L) with her mother, at the ticker tape parade in New York, July 10, 2015, for the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team. (Petr Svab/Epoch Times)
Emma Philip (L) with her mother, at the ticker tape parade in New York, July 10, 2015, for the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team. Petr Svab/Epoch Times

Alani Hernandez, 11, from New Jersey has been playing since she was four. “It’s just very fun,” she said. But it also taught her to value sportsmanship. “It’s just very exciting to be part of a team,” she said.

This year was the first when she watched all the World Cup games. “In each game I learned something new,” she said, adding she will try to put the new lessons to use on the field.

Alani Hernandez at the ticker tape parade for the World Cup Champion U.S. National Women's Team in New York City on July 10, 2015. (Petr Svab/Epoch Times)
Alani Hernandez at the ticker tape parade for the World Cup Champion U.S. National Women's Team in New York City on July 10, 2015. Petr Svab/Epoch Times

“Your team’s your family,” said 14-year-old Jenna Karabin of New Jersey, with red and white stripes and the letters “USA” painted on her face. Of course, in her case that is literally the truth, since both her and her twin sister Lauren play for the Wall SC Wizards, a girl’s soccer team from New Jersey.

It's about the girls this day.
Jenna Karabin, soccer player from New Jersey

They’ve been playing soccer since “forever,” said Jenna. That is, at least since they were three. They have two more sisters, one 18, the other 21, and yes, both of them also play soccer, or at least used to. In fact, the younger one was with them at the parade, together with their mother and a couple more fellow players.

(R-L) Val, Jenna, Lauren, and Amanda Karabin, with fellow soccer players at the ticker tape parade for the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team, in New York on July 10, 2015. (Petr Svab/Epoch Times)
(R-L) Val, Jenna, Lauren, and Amanda Karabin, with fellow soccer players at the ticker tape parade for the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team, in New York on July 10, 2015. Petr Svab/Epoch Times

The championship win means a lot to all of them. “They’re like role models to us,” Lauren said, of the girls on the national team.

“Normally we see all the boys,” Jenna exclaimed in a coarse voice. “It’s about the girls this day.”

And what has the success of the American team sparked in them? “Dreams. Don’t give up. Confidence. You have to play as a team,” the girls cried one over the other. The fact that some of the players on the national team are actually from New Jersey makes them all the more relatable to the aspiring youth.

And so, the celebrations continue, and the message to our girls and anyone aiming high continues to be: hard work pays off. Congrats Team USA! Take note, girls of the world!

Members of the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team make their way up the Canyon of Heroes along Broadway during a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. (Petr Svab/Epoch Times)
Members of the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team make their way up the Canyon of Heroes along Broadway during a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. Petr Svab/Epoch Times

 

Fans cheer on the FIFA Women's World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team at a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
Fans cheer on the FIFA Women's World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team at a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times

 

Fans cheer the FIFA Women's World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team at a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
Fans cheer the FIFA Women's World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team at a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times

 

The FIFA Women's World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team greet fans at a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
The FIFA Women's World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team greet fans at a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times

 

Fans cheer the FIFA Women's World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team at a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
Fans cheer the FIFA Women's World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team at a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times

 

The NYPD Marching Band during a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015, celebrating the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team. (Petr Svab/Epoch Times)
The NYPD Marching Band during a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015, celebrating the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team. Petr Svab/Epoch Times

 

U.S. Women's National Team midfielder Megan Rapinoe (C) holds up the World Cup 2015 trophy and waves to fans during a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. (Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images)
U.S. Women's National Team midfielder Megan Rapinoe (C) holds up the World Cup 2015 trophy and waves to fans during a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

 

Thousands of fans cheer as the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team make their way up the the Canyon of Heroes along Broadway during a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Thousands of fans cheer as the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team make their way up the the Canyon of Heroes along Broadway during a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

 

U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer as the players make their way up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes during a ticker tape parade to celebrate their World Cup victory in New York, on July 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer as the players make their way up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes during a ticker tape parade to celebrate their World Cup victory in New York, on July 10, 2015. AP Photo/Mary Altaffer

 

Members of the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team make their way up the Canyon of Heroes along Broadway during a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
Members of the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team make their way up the Canyon of Heroes along Broadway during a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times

 

U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer as the players make their way up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes during a ticker tape parade to celebrate their World Cup victory in New York, on July 10, 2015. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer as the players make their way up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes during a ticker tape parade to celebrate their World Cup victory in New York, on July 10, 2015. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times

 

A U.S. women's soccer team member signs a flag for a service woman at a parade in New York on July 10, 2015. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
A U.S. women's soccer team member signs a flag for a service woman at a parade in New York on July 10, 2015. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times

 

U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer as the players make their way up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes in New York during a ticker tape parade to celebrate their World Cup victory in New York, on July 10, 2015. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer as the players make their way up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes in New York during a ticker tape parade to celebrate their World Cup victory in New York, on July 10, 2015. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times

 

U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer as the players make their way up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes in New York during the ticker tape parade to celebrate their World Cup victory, on July 10, 2015. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer as the players make their way up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes in New York during the ticker tape parade to celebrate their World Cup victory, on July 10, 2015. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times

 

Members of the World Cup Champion U.S. National Women's Team make their way up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes during a ticker tape parade in New York City, on July 10, 2015. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
Members of the World Cup Champion U.S. National Women's Team make their way up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes during a ticker tape parade in New York City, on July 10, 2015. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times

 

U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer as the players make their way up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes during a ticker tape parade in New York to celebrate their World Cup victory, on July 10, 2015. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer as the players make their way up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes during a ticker tape parade in New York to celebrate their World Cup victory, on July 10, 2015. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times

 

U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer as the players make their way up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes during a ticker tape parade in New York to celebrate their World Cup victory, July 10, 2015. (Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times)
U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer as the players make their way up Broadway's Canyon of Heroes during a ticker tape parade in New York to celebrate their World Cup victory, July 10, 2015. Samira Bouaou/Epoch Times

 

U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer before the ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015, to celebrate the team World Cup victory. ( Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images)
U.S. women's soccer team fans cheer before the ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015, to celebrate the team World Cup victory. Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

 

USA women's soccer team fans cheer during the ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015 celebrating the team World Cup victory. (Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images)
USA women's soccer team fans cheer during the ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015 celebrating the team World Cup victory. Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

 

Fans cheer the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team at a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. (Petr Svab/Epoch Times)
Fans cheer the World Cup Champion U.S. Women's National Team at a ticker tape parade in New York on July 10, 2015. Petr Svab/Epoch Times

Barbara Danza
Barbara Danza
writer
Barbara Danza is a contributing editor covering family and lifestyle topics. Her articles focus on homeschooling, family travel, entrepreneurship, and personal development. She contributes children’s book reviews to the weekly booklist and is the editor of “Just For Kids,” the newspaper’s print-only page for children. Her website is BarbaraDanza.com
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