The US women’s national soccer team rolled up Broadway in a ticker-tape parade this morning in New York City, cheered by thousands thrilled by their victory in the World Cup final over the weekend in France.
Mayor Bill de Blasio joined stars including Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Julie Ertz on one float—featuring a globe bearing the words “World Champions” around its equator—before handing each of the players a symbolic key to the city.
The heavily favored defending champions defeated the Netherlands 2-0 Sunday, living up to their promises and winning the trophy for a fourth time while earning kudos from all corners.
They didn’t just win, though. They dominated. Not once did the squad trail in a game. Their seven opponents managed to score just three goals, while the US team racked up 26. They have a claim to be considered the greatest women’s soccer team of all time.
Now comes the hard part. The players’ highly publicized legal fight to be paid on par with the US men’s squad hasn’t been nearly as successful. Some of the signs held up by fans referenced the struggle, as did chants of “equal pay!”
How the players fare in that battle remains to be seen, but their dominating performance on the field made any justifications for the pay inequality look weaker than ever.
The parade didn’t hurt, either.
