US beats Japan 5-2 to win third Women's World Cup title - SFGate
She had her biggest Sunday — and gave the United States its third Women’s World Cup title. Lloyd scored three times as the U. S. jumped to a four-goal lead in the first 16 minutes, and the Americans overwhelmed defending champion Japan 5-2 for the team’s first World Cup championship since 1999, and record third overall. A sellout crowd of 53,341 that included U. S. Vice President Joe Biden roared in approval for Lloyd’s hat trick, the first ever in a Women’s World Cup final. I’ve had a lot of people believe in me, in my corner, from Day 1,” the 32-year-old midfielder said. Lloyd, awarded the Golden Ball as player of the tournament, scored twice in a span of about 135 seconds as the U. S. led 2-0 by the fifth minute. Lauren Holiday boosted the lead in the 14th, and two minutes later, Lloyd made it 4-0 with a 54-yard shot from midfield that sailed over goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori. Japan closed on Yuki Ogimi’s goal in the 27th and an own goal by Julie Johnston on an errant header in the 52nd. Tobin Heath answered two minutes later, the third goal off a restart for the Americans. had struggled in the World Cup since winning the inaugural tournament in 1991 and then again at the Rose Bowl eight years later. Christie Rampone , the only holdover from the 1999 team, lifted the trophy with Wambach, the 35-year-old former FIFA Player of the Year who has said this will be her last World Cup. Source: www.sfgate.com
