The U.S. win over Japan in yesterday's FIFA Women's World Cup final at BC Place "played out in front of a packed house, 53,000-strong, of mostly rabid U.S. fans," according to Matthew Futterman of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. U.S. fans "spilled over the border, roughly an hour’s drive away, beginning early in the morning clad in red, white and blue, their faces painted and their lungs ready to explode" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/6). In L.A., Kevin Baxter reports there "were a lot of American flags in the stands, where the crowd was partying like it was 1999" (L.A. TIMES, 7/6). In Vancouver, Marc Weber reports after the U.S. won, "all that was left for fans to do -- after the final whistle and before the trophy presentation -- was boo the FIFA dignitaries as they walked to the stage." Outgoing FIFA President Sepp Blatter "didn't show, so they took it out on whoever" was there. Weber writes of FIFA's issues: "Thankfully, amid the scandal, it was the players in the spotlight for a month" (Vancouver PROVINCE, 7/6). ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap said the U.S. and Japan national teams "must be heartbroken that Sepp Blatter has decided to watch the Final from Switzerland; the FBI is disappointed, too” (“Sports Reporters,” ESPN2, 7/5). ABC’s Jesse Palmer said, “It was absolutely remarkable. You wouldn’t
have even known you were in Canada. ... I would estimate a packed house
in this stadium [that was] probably at least 98% pro-U.S.A. It was a
virtual home game." He added, "Easily one of the best sporting events
I’ve ever been to in my life” (“Good Morning America,” ABC, 7/6). FS1's Rob Stone, who hosted the net's studio coverage, said it "certainly feels like they're playing south of the border" ("FIFA Women's World Cup Soccer Pre-Game," Fox, 7/5).
LEAVING A LEGACY: USA TODAY's Nancy Armour writes the U.S. "put an emphatic stamp on a legacy that is most definitely, most deservedly, this team's own." Armour writes of some of the better U.S. players, "Lloyd. Wambach. Rapinoe. Julie Johnston. Yes, even Hope Solo. These are the icons for a new generation." No longer "will a woman ripping off her shirt symbolize the crowning achievement in women's sports." Instead, it "will be Lloyd's roar of triumph after scoring not one, not two, but three goals in the first 16 minutes of Sunday's final, a dazzling display that defies logic even in this era of the FIFA video game." A decade from now, "teenage girls -- and boys -- will recall where they were when this group of strong, powerful women brought an entire country to a standstill" (USA TODAY, 7/6). In N.Y., Jere Longman in a front-page piece writes the USWNT "reflected social changes in the United States in the new century." Coach Jill Ellis, F Abby Wambach and MF Megan Rapinoe "are openly gay, and they spoke in a celebratory way when the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage late last month." Ellis following the Supreme Court ruling said, "Our players, they’re great role models. And to have it now be something that all of us can embrace, no matter where we live in the country, it’s a tremendous step" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/6). In L.A., Bill Plaschke writes the USWNT "is celebrated not only as a powerful sports franchise, but as an affirmation of America's commitment to gender equity on the playing fields." Plaschke: "On the day baseball's All-Star starting lineups were announced, more folks were watching soccer. In a week when the NBA free agency dominated the headlines, the most revered athletes were women" (L.A. TIMES, 7/6).
ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER: In Indianapolis, Ellen Garrison reports a couple hundred fans watched the final at a party co-hosted by the city of Indianapolis, Bright House Networks and NASL club Indy Eleven (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 7/6). In Boston, Jack Encarnacao reports a crowd of more than 3,500 people "all rose to their feet in City Hall Plaza" to watch the game (BOSTON HERALD, 7/6). Also in Boston, Emack-Bazelais & Evers report among those in the crowd were members of the NWSL Boston Breakers (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/6). In Pittsburgh, Dan Majors reports more than 1,500 people attended the "red-white-and-blue gathering" in Schenley Plaza (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 7/6).
