News

At 8 Years Old, Rose Lavelle Pretended To Be Two-Time World Cup Champion Mia Hamm

Back in 2003, Rose Lavelle was just an eight-year-old girl with dreams to one day be like her idol, USWNT legend Mia Hamm. As a two-time World Cup champion and one of the greatest players to ever play the game, Hamm was one of the most idolized athletes. Although the USWNT fell short to Germany in the semifinals of the 2003 World Cup, a little girl from Cincinnati, Ohio remained emotionally attached to her role model — Lavelle cried after the U.S. was eliminated from final contention. 

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News

USWNT Returns, Parties, Makes Stops At Good Morning America, ESPN And Today Show

There’s perhaps no greater testament to the strength, drive, togetherness and badassery of the USWNT than the whirlwind tour they’ve been on since Sunday night.

Mere mortals like you and I would probably like nothing more than to curl up under a blanket and nurse a week-long hangover while regaining some sort of feeling in our legs after a month of heinous physical exertion, but the USWNT knows no chill.

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Nike’s Inspiring Post-Women’s World Cup Ad Hits Back At All The USWNT Haters

The U.S. women’s national team that won the 2019 Women’s World Cup was nothing short of remarkable, as is the new Nike USWNT ad, which was released moments after the tournament ended. 

The USWNT set records for most goals in a tournament, most goals in a match, first coach to win two titles and most all-time Women’s World Cup trophies. 

Crystal Dunn: USA

United States: Crystal Dunn

For all the memories and joy created by the U.S. women’s national team back in 2015, one player was left with a bittersweet feeling: Crystal Dunn, who was infamously the final player cut from the roster prior to the World Cup.

She admits to being “in a low, low place” after being informed of Jill Ellis’s decision, but she immediately bounced back and captured the NWSL’s MVP award later that year while scoring a league-leading 15 goals.

Lieke Martens: Netherlands

Netherlands: Lieke Martens

The reigning European champions are not without star power. Anchored by a core of four Arsenal players including star midfielder Daniëlle van de Donk, forward Vivianne Miedema and goalkeeper and captain Sar van Veenendaal, the Oranje are among the elite group of teams capable of winning it all this summer.

Whether or not they can do it will likely come down to their biggest star of all: Lieke Martens.

Toni Duggan: England

England: Toni Duggan

It’s long been believed that English footballers don’t travel well. They prefer to stay in “Old Blighty,” where it’s comfortable and not so foreign and mum has the kettle on. But then there’s 27-year-old Liverpool native Toni Duggan, who’s just fired Barcelona to its first-ever Women’s Champions League final with five goals in the knockout rounds.

Cristiana Girelli: Italy

Italy: Cristiana Girelli

The Italian women’s national team, despite all the country’s history in the men’s game and having been one of the first nations to embrace women’s soccer, has never been a dominant force on the world’s stage. 

Cristiana Girelli would like to change that. 

Mapi Leon: Spain

Spain: Mapi León

At the age of 22, Mapi Leon entered the history books when Barcelona prized her away from Atletico Madrid for $56,000, making Mapi the first paid transfer in the history of Spanish women’s football. In her first season, Barcelona celebrated a Queen’s Cup triumph and the club subsequently made its first-ever appearance in the Champions League final this campaign.

Mapi immediately catches the eye with her defensive ability, but also because of her love for tattoos, including one across her throat that says ‘looks can be deceiving.’ 

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