For four years, the jersey worn by the U.S. women’s national soccer team has featured three blue stars above the logo, signifying the World Cup championships won across almost three decades.
The Americans celebrate a fourth Women’s World Cup title. (Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
On Sunday, as the players danced and hugged amid confetti and celebration following a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands, they were handed new shirts made especially for the occasion.
The U.S. team has been the beacon for the women’s game, both on and off the field. But until this day, it had never won consecutive world crowns. Four years after lifting the trophy in Canada, the Americans retained the title by scoring twice in an eight-minute span of the second half.
USA’s Megan Rapinoe (left) and Rose Lavelle celebrate with the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy after the final whistle USA v. Netherlands in Lyon, France, on July 7, 2019. John Walton—EMPICS/PA Images/Getty Image
Returning from injury, Megan Rapinoe recorded her sixth goal ― tied with her teammate Morgan and England’s Ellen White for the tournament lead ― on a penalty kick in the 61st minute. Rose Lavelle, a breakout star from the Washington Spirit, scored a terrific goal in the 69th as the United States completed the tournament with seven victories in seven matches.
Rapinoe, an outspoken figure on issues ranging from politics to gender equality, won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s top player. “I am made for this. I love it,” she said. “To be able to couple it with everything off the field and to back up those words with performances, it’s just incredible. I feel like this team is changing the world around us.”
All the Records the 2019 U.S. Women’s Soccer Team Broke in This Year’s World Cup
1. Jill Ellis is the first coach to win two World Cup titles
Jill Ellis, Head Coach of USA, celebrates following her sides victory in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France Final match between The United States of America and The Netherlands at Stade de Lyon on July 7, 2019 in Lyon, France. Maja Hitij—Getty Images
Jill Ellis, the coach for the USWNT, became the first women’s coach ever to win two World Cup titles in soccer history. This feat has only been achieved by Italy’s men’s coach, Vittorio Pozzo, in 1934 and 1938, CNN reports. In 2015, Ellis was named the FIFA World Coach of the Year.
2. Most FIFA Women’s World Cup wins
This championship adds to a portfolio of glory featuring world crowns in 1991, 1999 and 2015 and Olympic gold medals in 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012. Germany is the only other country to win multiple Women’s World Cups.
US players including Megan Rapinoe (centre) celebrate their World Cup title win. Photo: AFP
The USWNT’s victory breaks its own record for the most wins in the tournament’s history. The U.S. had already won three World Cup finals in 1991, 1999 and 2015. Now, with a fourth, Germany remains behind with two. Norway and Japan’s women’s teams also won the tournaments in 1995 and 2011, respectively.
3. Most consecutive World Cup tournament wins
With two consecutive wins (2015 and 2019), the U.S. is now tied with Germany, who won in 2003 and 2007. Aside from the U.S. and Germany, no other team has won more than one Women’s World Cup title since the tournament began in 1991.
4. Most goals in a FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament
With 26 goals, the USWNT now has the record for making the most goals in a Women’s World Cup tournament, according to ESPN.
5. Most goals in a single Women’s World Cup match
The U.S. team started the World Cup off with a bang on June 11, defeating Thailand’s team 13-0. The group stage match in Reims, France, had the most goals in a single game in the World Cup, for both men and women. Some people criticized the team for taking such a big lead, but in a tournament in which goal differential matters, the U.S. didn’t lose its stride.
The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France group F match between USA and Thailand at Stade Auguste Delaune on June 11, 2019 in Reims, France. Marcio Machado—Getty Images
6. Highest margin of victory in one soccer match
That 13-0 defeat against Thailand was also the highest margin of victory in a single match — in both women’s and men’s World Cup soccer history.
(L-R) Alex Morgan, Samantha Mewis, Alyssa Naeher, Lindsey Horan, Morgan Brian, Tobin Heath, Abby Dahlkemper, Kelley Ohara, Megan Rapinoe, Julie Ertz and Crystal Dunn poses for team photo during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France group F match between USA and Thailand at Stade Auguste Delaune on June 11, 2019 in Reims, France. Marcio Machado—Getty Images
The record was previously held by Germany for beating Argentina 11-0 in a similar shutout in 2007.
The men’s side is pretty far behind with a record victory margin of only 9-0 — Yugoslavia and Hungary beat Zaire (the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and South Korea, respectively, by the same margin.
7. Alex Morgan scores the most goals in a single women’s game
“To see us four years ago go from two to three [stars] and now three to four,” forward Alex Morgan said, “it’s really a dream come true.”
Alex Morgan of the USA celebrates her goal during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France group F match between USA and Thailand at Stade Auguste Delaune on June 11, 2019 in Reims, France. Daniela Porcelli—Getty Images
Co-captain Alex Morgan tied for the most individual goals in a single women’s World Cup game in the group stage match-up with Thailand. The forward scored five goals in the match, tying her with a record previously set by Michelle Akers, also a U.S. forward, in 1991.
A victory parade will take place Wednesday on the streets of Manhattan.
