The United States is once again on top of the women’s soccer world – and three former University of Virginia soccer players -- Becky Sauerbrunn, Morgan Brian and Emily Sonnett -- helped them do it.
On Sunday in France, the U.S. defeated the Netherlands, 2-0, to win its second straight World Cup and its fourth in the last 28 years.
Sauerbrunn was playing in her third World Cup, Brian her second and Sonnett her first.
Serving as an assistant coach on the team was UVA women’s soccer head coach Steve Swanson.
Before the start of the game, Hoos fans got behind their heroes.
Good luck ‘HOOS! Best wishes @UVAWomenSoccer @moeebrian @emilysonnett @beckysauerbrunn @USWNT #HoosMasterPlan #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/CGPf2i4XhW
— Carla G. Williams (@ADWilliamsUVA) July 7, 2019
Good luck to some former Hoos and Coach Swanson today in the #WorldCupfinal #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/PmjbZ9Ju2o
— Bronco Mendenhall (@UVACoachBronco) July 7, 2019
Support for the team came from all corners of the country.
“The success story of women’s sports shows how marginalized groups can be given opportunities through policy interventions.”
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) July 7, 2019
Thank you, #TitleIX, for this #USWNT, and for giving all girls the opportunity to follow in their footsteps. #FIFAWWC https://t.co/PUdiseUku6
Early on, the U.S. had some thrilling scoring chances, but just couldn’t boot one past Dutch goalie Sari van Veenendaal.
WOW! Dutch captain and goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal is putting on a show. Van Veenendaal makes two superb stops from Alex Morgan in quick succession. #USWNT knocking on the door just before half time. #USA 0-0 #NED #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/GSZmoHm6aZ
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) July 7, 2019
Dutch goalie, you’re killing me.
— Caroline Darney (@cwdarney) July 7, 2019
Netherlands's Goal keeper
— Myra Adam (@MyraAdam5) July 7, 2019
deserves own trophy#USAvNED#OneNationOneTeam #USWNT #USANED #FIFAWWC#Ned #USA pic.twitter.com/dYlswBMzX4
About midway through the first half, fans held their breath when Sauerbrunn fell to the turf with an injury, but she was able to shake it off and continue playing.
Former #UVa star Becky Sauerbrunn down with an injury for #USWNT.
— John Shifflett (@John_Shifflett) July 7, 2019
The teams went into the half tied at 0.
Early in the second half, Sauerbrunn was injured again when she bumped heads with a Dutch player as she was going up for a header and was forced to come out of the game.
But just a couple minutes later, she returned – to a nice ovation from the U.S. fans in attendance – with a bandage on her forehead.
BECKY SAUERBRUNN BACK ON THE FIELD LIKE A DAMN WARRIOR I'M READY TO RUN THROUGH A WALL.
— Caroline Darney (@cwdarney) July 7, 2019
In the 60th minute, Alex Morgan was fouled in the box, leading to a penalty kick that Megan Rapinoe put in the back of the net to give the U.S. a 1-0 lead.
— Brian Leung (@TheUVAFool) July 7, 2019
In the 69th minute, Rose Lavelle blasted a perfectly placed shot past van Veenendaal to the back post for a 2-0 lead.
Rose you legend
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) July 7, 2019
Find a more pure goal celebration. You can’t. #USWNT | #FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/ftlugcbhgs
— Jennyyyyy (@1_uswnt) July 7, 2019
From there, it was smooth sailing for the U.S.
One fan made an important point about the positive turn in the match for the U.S.
Just want to point out that both U.S. goals came after Becky Sauerbrunn gave the Dutch this look. pic.twitter.com/sr24tTs7M1
— Brooks Peck (@BrooksDT) July 7, 2019
At the final horn, the celebration was on.
The #USWNT bench clears, as US wins 4th World Cup with 2-0 victory over Netherlands. Warning: Celebration ensues! pic.twitter.com/3S5km9SpuD
— Liz Clarke (@lizclarketweet) July 7, 2019
The #USWNT never trailed. They broke the record for goals. They beat the second-, third- and fourth-place teams, along with the host/favorite. Legendary run.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) July 7, 2019
Not just the great women's team ever. The greatest team of all-time in this sport.#USWNT
— Charlotte Clymer (@cmclymer) July 7, 2019
CHAMPIONS!!
— Virginia Cavaliers (@VirginiaSports) July 7, 2019
Congratulations @USWNT, @UVAWomenSoccer HC Steve Swanson and alums @moeebrian, @beckysauerbrunn and @emilysonnett on the #FIFAWWC Championship!!#GoHoos #OneNationOneTeam pic.twitter.com/QOsYmYk4Mx
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July 7, 2019
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