Each and every player at the Women’s World Cup in France did both their nation and the game of football proud.
The final result was an expected one, with the might of the United States proving too powerful for the Dutch in an exciting and compelling final in Lyon.
The 2-0 score line reflected their dominance despite some controversy around the VAR involvement that put the USA into the lead.
It was a clear statement to the rest of the world that there is considerable work to be done if anyone dares dream of knocking the cocky Yanks off their perch.
True to form, the Americans swaggered and strutted through the tournament, both with their physical celebrations of goals and their tongues, as they talked the talk of champions. To their credit, that brash confidence was backed up on the pitch.
Amid a busy international sporting calendar, it was interesting to compare their resolute and steadfast determination to the frailties of some athletes around the globe when faced with stress and expectation.
(Franck Fife / AFP / Getty Images)
While Australian ‘wham, bam, thank you, maam’ tennis player Bernard Tomic failed to muster the concern and/or courage to be competitive in his first round match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at Wimbledon, the greatest women’s football team on the planet showed nothing but a hard-edged determination and focus.
The chasm between what goes on in the six inches of space between the ears of winners and within the grey matter of the perennial losers always looking to lay blame elsewhere is vast.
Despite controversy and much public debate around Megan Rapinoe’s public statements during the tournament and Alex Morgan’s controversial impersonation of the tea-drinking British, the Americans never wavered.
Culturally they appear to savour the attention that in turn piles more and more pressure onto the team. What makes them special is their preparedness to take on that pressure and their ability to lay bare and exposed before a sports-watching public, much of who would love to see the arrogant tall poppy fall.
Psychological weakness is not part of the US women’s team’s DNA. Four World Cups, four Olympic gold medals and eight CONCACAF gold cups since 1991 are testament to that statement, as are the 499 wins they have amassed from their 639 competitive matches.
(Geert van Erven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
With just 70 losses in that time, the consistent level of excellence they have been able to maintain is arguably the most sustained in the history of international football.
On Monday morning (AEST) the show continued, with a dash of controversy included to give VAR haters something around which to get their teeth.
An electric atmosphere met the players as they took to the pitch and the sense the razzmatazz and pomp was exactly for what the Americans were hoping. Rapinoe smiled as she stood waiting for the toss of the coin. it wasn’t a nervous grin or a token gesture to the French referee or opposing captain; it was a genuine expression of pleasure laced with utter confidence and calm.
It was as if Rapinoe was eloquently smiling the words, “Can we get this game going? I have a World Cup trophy to lift”.
Contrastingly, the faces of the Dutch players appeared nervously tight and etched with the subtle imprint of crosshairs.
On cue Rapinoe created the first meaningful moment, winning a corner after a run to the by-line just after the ten-minute mark.
Sari van Veenendaal’s day in the Dutch goal became increasingly difficult as the half progressed and the Americans began attacking in waves. By the end she was exhausted. America’s 17 shots on target had kept her busy throughout.
Despite the Stars and Stripes dominating the majority of the first half by the length of the straight, the script was strangely wrong. No goals and a late surge from the Netherlands in the final five minutes was to test their sturdy resolve.
The hour mark proved decisive, when a high boot that made solid contact with Morgan in the area was deemed penalty worthy.
Rapinoe was given the task of converting from the spot. She spat on the ground, looked at the referee and slotted the goal expertly. What followed was arrogant and self-congratulatory, as she celebrated with a heroic and graceful performance that produced a distant sound of boos in among the din of US celebrations.
It was fabulous to watch.
Rose Lavelle’s goal in the 69th minute was far better, and after it the Americans had both hands on the trophy. The waves of attack continued and without Van Veenendaal’s efforts four or five goals could have resulted.
The final whistle brought emotional scenes, and when the entire squad finally took possession of the trophy those unhappy with the open confidence of the USWNT had probably already switched over to the Tour de France or Wimbledon.
The single digits raised in the air by the players said all there was to say about the United States women’s football team. They are indeed the best in the business.
They told us they would win it, insulted the old dart and caused a political debate along the way with open activism.
However, when it comes to women’s football, their ability to walk the walk allows them to do pretty much whatever they want.
Theghostofstuart
Guest
Manners are important
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
I've never liked arrogant sportsmen / sportswomen, and I'm not going to start now. Doesn't matter who it is.
IanM
Guest
Don't know about the Aussie Cricket Team but replace the words 'the USA' with 'Israel Folau' in the headline and the comments might get heated....
Qlder
Roar Rookie
Some champions we admire because they are so good, others we cherish because not only are they good, but they have more to them that makes them likeable. There are plenty of examples of both, and the USWNT fall into the first category. No one denies their dominance in their sport, nor their incredible skill. But, as with many other champions in the category, there is no humility. Ever.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
I've developed a bit of a soft spot for them. Can't wait for away days at the new stadium.
Tyke
Roar Rookie
Before I decided I was gonna back them, I was quietly wishing them well, I liked the message and culture they said they are going to build, the ambition. Then they started making good signings, then they came out with cool logos, so it just built up and I decided to go all in. It helped that I wasn’t emotionally invested in any other A league club, and I’m still sorta new to football fandom, so timing is good. I actually started really following around last World Cup, and looked at all the bids, WMG caught my eye and I thought if the money was behind it FFA would be silly to not choose them. They have big dreams and it will be good for Australian football if they succeed.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
What financial resources? In America its pay to play and get high level training as a youth and even that is invested in the boys. They do have the college scholarships but that is way too late to develop quality players for men. The difference is that all that money and effort in Europe goes on the opposite sex. USA has a big population and participation but its nearly all weekend child minding style. Same with Australia its more an industry to take parents money than develop players.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Carrying on with arrogance would be a bit more arrogance if they didn’t have multiple times the population, playing numbers and financial resources of all their major opponents. Over 15 times the population and GDP of the Netherlands, well over 5 times the likes of France, England and Italy. Big deal. I would’ve thought a bit more humility would be in order.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Lavelle youngest USA player on the day at 24 supports your hypothesis.
Nemesis
Guest
France also came close. They had a penalty not given for exactly the same circumstances that Netherlands got a penalty to beat Japan. Even Spain did really well against the USA, who needed 2 penalties to beat Spain. USA are worthy Champions, but they're certainly not invincible and many of their big name players won't be there in 4 years. Tokyo Olympic Games will be a big chance for someone to knock them off.
pacman
Roar Rookie
England went closest to upsetting the US. They had two chances to level the score at 2-2. The first one ruled out by VAR for offside, the second a poor penalty conversion effort. On another day?
Winston
Guest
All blacks show that humility can be intrinsic to a winning culture. Each to their own I guess.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Bit dissapointed as i'm partly Dutch but i can't see USA getting beaten anytime soon. As Tuckerman said, they are rude, loud, arrogant and winners. Just like Liverpool fans :(
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Bit off topic but, why did you become a Western United fan?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Fair point, although I would like to think that such behaviour is now regretted and certainly wasn't a consistent and deliberate approach to the tournament. Certainly lost their cool. Ugly moments to watch but hopeful not reflective of the entire squad.
Tyke
Roar Rookie
Yeah, everyone is just gonna stop watching men’s football now, righto.
chris
Guest
Nice summation Mark. You gloss over the glaring mistakes that VAR has enabled, too many to mention. It's got to go. It's just someone else's opinion and it just takes longer to make. Use it for goal line decisions and non passive offsides. You are either on or off. No ifs or buts. Handballs/ball to hand has become way too subjective and hence, should be removed from the VAR terms of reference.
Mahler
Guest
No, it would have been termed 'ruthless' as well as arrogant.
Mark
Guest
I don't like the VAR - video review doesn't suit football, except for goal line decisions which with the proper technology can be made in a few seconds. But you haven't understood the way VAR has operated at this tournament. The VAR officials in the bunker view replays of incidents and if they think an onfield decision needs to be further reviewed, they alert the referee, who then stops play (or waits until the next stoppage) and goes to look at the video herself (or himself). In the case of the penalty in the final, the ball was out of play after the referee awarded a corner, the referee was alerted by the VAR officials and so she went to look at the video and after viewing replays of the incident she overturned her initial decision. There was clear and significant contact by the foot of the Netherlands' player on the torso of Morgan, and that is a penalty. In the case of the handball Australia claimed against Norway, the referee said play on, the VAR officials looked at it and they decided not to alert the referee (ie they didn't think the decision needed the referee to review it). Thierry Henry's handball against Ireland was in 2009. That incident led to calls for referees to be assisted by video replay, which is what we have ended up with.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
The US womens soccer team has been the yardstick for nigh on 20 years now, probably longer. They are the standard every other soccer team should aspire to meet. I read this recently in the Dutch media, and it's so true: Nee jongen, voetbal is voor meisjes! I am reminded of the end of The Lord of the Rings: the age of men is over.