The United States Women’s National Soccer Team won their fourth World Cup trophy on July 7, celebrating a 2-0 defeat over the Netherlands in Lyon, France. This is second consecutive World Cup win for the women’s team. In the 61st minute, co-captain Megan Rapinoe (#15) had the opportunity to score a penalty kick giving the U.S. a 1-0 lead. Just minutes later at the 69th minute, Rose Lavelle (#16) scored a goal at to the bottom right corner of the goal providing the U.S. with their second and final goal. The stadium was filled with red, white, and blue, with very little orange representing the Netherlands.

The team added a gold star among the three that they earned from their previous World Cup wins in 1991, 1999, and 2015. In this year’s World Cup, the team was the only one to win 12 consecutive matches defeating countries including England, France, Chile, and Spain. The first game of the tournament ended with a 13-0 win over Thailand, leaving the women to have a record of 26 goals by the end of the World Cup.

Head coach Jill Ellis is the only coach in U.S. history to win World Cup titles back to back in 2015 and 2019. The only other occurrence was by Italian head coach Vittoria Pozzo on the men’s team in 1934 and 1938.

Lavelle was the winner of the Bronze Ball, co-captain Alex Morgan (#13) received the Silver Boot while also scoring the most goals in a single match, and Rapinoe won the Golden Boot, Golden Ball, and was the top scorer. Rapinoe is 34 years old and is the second player in the Women’s World Cup to start in three finals. Co-captain Carli Lloyd (#10) entered the game at the 87th minute.

While celebrating the win at the end of the final game, the stadium shouted “Equal pay! Equal pay!” The USWNT have been advocates for equality and earning a fair wage compared to the men’s team. The U.S. Soccer Federation has invested more in women’s soccer more than any country in the world and stated at the Ticker Tape Parade in lower Manhattan that they aim to change the wage gap.

On Wednesday in downtown Manhattan, just feet from the University, you could hear fans and players chant “I got four stars on my shirt,” celebrating their victory with thousands of fans in what Rapinoe said is “the greatest city in the world.”

Along with winning the World Cup trophy, Morgan won best female athlete, and the USWNT won best team at the 2019 ESPYS.

Rapinoe ended her NYC celebratory parade by saying, “We have to be better, love more, hate less. Listen more and talk less. Know this is everyone’s responsibility…It is our responsibility to make this world a better place.” She emphasized that the fans are more than fans. Not only does the team represent the U.S. in women’s soccer, but also a group of strong women who are fighting for equality and push for things that they believe in.