The United States women's soccer team won its fourth World Cup Sunday in France, shutting out the Netherlands 2-0.
Megan Rapinoe, who had scored in nearly every game, made a penalty kick in the 61st minute. Rose Lavelle scored another in the 69th minute to wrap up a championship the Americans were heavily favored to win.
Not only did the American women beat the Dutch, but they also got in Dutch on and off the pitch.
--In their opening match against Thailand, they scored 13 goals against an obviously overmatched opponent. The USA was ripped for celebrating a bit too much. Although they toned it down in subsequent matches, Alex Morgan did pretend to sip tea after scoring against England.
--Rapinoe, the driving force behind this team, got into it with President Donald Trump over being invited to the White House should the U.S. win the World Cup. She wanted nothing to do with it, just like so many athletes of sex and color before her. Rapinoe also wouldn't salute the flag during the "Star Spangled Banner" in the conventional manner, much like Colin Kaepernick.
Well, they're getting their due anyway. A ticker tape parade in New York and a visit to the halls of Congress awaits, courtesy of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York.
--Earlier, several members of the women's soccer team sued the American governing body for not getting paid as much as the men's team. You will recall that the men's team didn't qualify for the 2018 World Cup, and that they are on shaky ground for 2022.
This might be the most important and lasting victory the U.S. women's soccer team will ever have if the courts (and society) see things their way. Women earn less in all walks of life, including sports. When you win four World Cups in two decades, you deserve something more than the thanks of a grateful nation, right?
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