Fireworks left over from the Fourth of July exploded late into the night and lasted throughout the weekend, as the celebration from the United States’ 239th birthday was fortified by the United States Women’s National Team’s 5-2 victory over Japan in the World Cup final. Spearheaded by the aggressive play of Carli Lloyd, and a boisterous crowd laden with border-crossing patriots, the USWNT scored four goals in the first 16 minutes, and never looked backed on their way to capturing their first World Cup title since 1999.
For ninety minutes Sunday the collective focus of the United States was on the USWNT, and athletes flooded Twitter with analyses, reactions, and in the end, congratulations. Colorado athletes were no different.
Nuggets guard Erick Green was one of many Colorado-based athletes who took to twitter to share support for the USWNT during the pre-game activities.
Let's go USA🇺🇸
— Erick Green (@ErickGreen) July 5, 2015
It didn’t take long for the United States to draw first blood. The pace of United States’ play led to a smattering of early goals and early social media glee.
8min in and we're up 2-0. Let's go ladies! Win it!!
— David BRUTON JR. PT, DPT (@D_Brut30) July 5, 2015
I'm too nervous to watch the USWNT in the WC, but we're up 2-0 early. Get'em ladies… Beat the Brakes off Japan.
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) July 5, 2015
Multiple Colorado Rapids players, themselves quite familiar with the beautiful game, were very impressed by their female counterparts.
Stopppppp Carli Lloyd…..😳😱
— Marlon Hairston (@MARLYG94) July 5, 2015
Solo got a good hand to that…
— Clint Irwin (@ClintIrwin) July 6, 2015
Congratulations @ussoccer_wnt on a great tournament!! That final was unbelievable! #WorldChamps #USAUSA 🇺🇸⚽️🏆
— Dillon Serna (@SernaDillon) July 6, 2015
In the midst of their own game, Rockies’ players were unable to watch the final live, though Root Sports play-by-play broadcaster Drew Goodman tweeted out his congratulations following the win.
Congrats @uswomensoccer !!! Go USA!!
— Drew Goodman (@DrewGoodman42) July 6, 2015
Goodman was not the only Colorado sportscaster dolling out admiration on Twitter. Kyle Keefe, a television reporter and host for Altitude TV, expressed great admiration for the USWNT and what they accomplished.
Keefe, who focuses primarily on the Colorado Avalanche, Tweeted a humorous scene from Caddyshack to represent how the game was going for the Japanease.
Live Look!!!
Inside Japan's locker room for halftime speech…https://t.co/UQDT0l9lI6#USMNT
— Kyle Keefe (@kylekeefetv) July 5, 2015
John Elway and Ed McCaffrey won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos. They understand the mindset of a champion. The USWNT showed up the biggest when it counted the most, and in doing so, our ladies left a great impression on two of the most decorated and celebrated champions in Colorado sports history.
Amazing performance- congratulations #USAWomensSoccer !! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— Ed McCaffrey (@87ed) July 6, 2015
Proud of @ussoccer_wnt! A great TEAM of tremendous athletes and Americans! Congrats on your World Cup title!! #SheBelieves #USA
— John Elway (@johnelway) July 6, 2015
When you impress these two with your skills on the field, you can guarantee you’ve done something worth taking notice of. In this case, the USWNT had the world taking notice.
Bryce Rudnick, a Mile High Sports intern and student at CU-Boulder, contributed to this report