It’s over and it wasn’t even close.
For the first time since 1999, the U.S. doesn’t have to hear about comparisons, pressure to win or how it came this close four years ago. Finally, this group of 2015ers can bathe in gold confetti and hoist its own World Cup trophy after beating Japan 5-2 in Sunday’s historic final at BC Place.
The U.S. came out furiously fast, scoring four goals in 16 minutes, three from captain Carli Lloyd. Before this match, the Americans had only scored two first-half goals all tournament.
But something was different Sunday. Yes, the U.S. had momentum from an emotional semifinal victory over Germany last week, but it was like a special switch had been ignited for the final. Perhaps it was thoughts of losing to Japan four years ago in penalty kicks, not having won a World Cup in 16 years, or players’ upcoming retirements.
Or maybe none of the above.
“There was something different in the air these last few days,” Lloyd confirmed. “There was no hesitation, no doubt. We were just super excited, super anxious to play this game. We knew if we take it to Japan, they’re going to get nervous. We locked them in, pressured them, and scored early which was fantastic.
“It’ll be wild going back to New Jersey. I might just have to sit inside my house for a few days.”
Here are three takeaways from the USA’s World Cup clinching victory over Japan:
1. CARLI LLOYD UNLEASHED
Four years ago, Lloyd was one of three players to miss her penalty kick against Japan in the shootout that cost them a World Cup. Her shot went high over the crossbar and she immediately put her hands over her mouth in shock.
Though this game wasn’t about revenge for Lloyd, she played angry and determined, showing a swagger like never before. Sitting slightly higher in the central midfield in front of Morgan Brian and Lauren Holiday as she did against Germany, Lloyd was again given freedom to roam and attack.
And she took full advantage, scoring three goals in the first 16 minutes of the match, becoming the first player ever in a women’s World Cup final to get a hat trick.
Lloyd’s first came in the third minute when she smashed a low Megan Rapinoe corner kick into the right pocket of the net. Two minutes later, she pounded in another off a Holiday free kick that was flicked off by Julie Johnston.
“She always does this to us,” Japan coach Norio Sasaki said, dropping his head and smiling. “In (the 2012 London Olympics) she scored two goals and today she scored three goals. We are a a bit embarrassed, but she’s an excellent player. I really respect her and admire her. She deserves the Golden Ball award.”
Then, with the U.S. leading 3-0 after Holiday scored in the 14th minute, Lloyd saw goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori sitting high in her box and booted it from midfield. The ball went over the keeper’s head and into the back of the net. She immediately sprinted to Hope Solo for a celebration hug.
“I’ve dreamed of scoring a shot like that,” Lloyd said. “I did it once when I was younger in a training environment. Very rarely do you just wind up and hit it. When you’re feeling good mentally and physically, those plays are just instincts and it happens.
“I feel like I blacked out in the first 30 minutes or so in that game.”
2. MORGAN BRIAN IS THE UNSUNG HERO
Brian was accountable for nearly every U.S. goal.
Lloyd and Holiday wouldn’t have been able to have the sensational performances they had without the 22-year-old midfielder playing with them as part of a three-person central midfield. Brian’s composure and vision allows her to sit back, direct, and distribute, letting Holiday and Lloyd, who combined for four goals against Japan, to get more involved in the front line.
“We’ve known Mo has been a tremendous asset to this team for a long, long time,” coach Jill Ellis said. “And that’s what we’ve preached on this team from Day 1 is the depth of this team. So when players have opportunities to step in and do great things, yeah Morgan was fantastic.”
Brian emerged as a key piece for the USA in the quarterfinal when Holiday was suspended after receiving two yellow cards. Against China, Brian proved she can hold down the midfield and free up Lloyd at the same time, giving Ellis the chance to shake up her lineup for the remaining matches. And since Brian was integrated into the lineup, the U.S. has played its best soccer.
Though her role mostly includes sitting in front of the center backs while Lloyd and Holiday get forward, Brian is a natural playmaker and picks and chooses times to press. It was Brian who made an early run deep to the right corner of the field in the opening minutes, bouncing a ball off a Japanese player which resulted in the Rapinoe corner and eventual Lloyd goal. And it was Brian who made another run in the second half, sending a low cross near the mouth of the goal for Tobin Heath to finish which put the U.S. up 5-2.
Once Ellis discovered how crucial her presence was on the field, Brian never stepped off it.
3. PEAKING AT THE RIGHT TIME
Since Ellis was hired last May and the U.S. began its World Cup journey, the entire team always said — emphatically — they did not want to peak until they were standing on top of the podium, first-place medals around their necks and trophy in hand.
And as Christie Rampone and Abby Wambach stood in front of their teammates, gold confetti falling on them, they lifted that trophy knowing they played their best soccer at the right time.
The World Cup started slow for the United States. Performances were underwhelming in the Group of Death stage as Lloyd wasn’t involved in the attack, Alex Morgan was injured, the midfield was uncreative and the game plan often appeared to lob balls into the box in search of Wambach’s head.
But as the games progressed, so did the U.S. And goals came, too.
“Yeah we did it,” Rampone said. “We had criticism in the beginning stages but we grew as a team, we got better and performed better against the tougher competition when it mattered. The knockout phase, we just picked it up a level. Carli Lloyd is tremendous and coming out tonight, you could see it. I mean two goals in five minutes? Pretty amazing. This team was on a mission.”
After the game, Ellis was asked if she envisioned this kind of finish in her first year as head coach.
“Five goals? That’s ambitious,” she said, smiling. “I knew they could deliver. These players were born for big moments. This is what they relish. When games get harder and pressure gets bigger, this team gets better. Did I envision the win? Yes. I let myself go there. Five is kind of a dream come true.”
It’s called peaking.
