US wins fourth World Cup title, social media celebrates with memes
Megan Rapinoe is our president now, according to Twitter.
"I believe that we will win," the chant ran, and so they did. On Sunday in France, the US women's national team won its fourth soccer World Cup, beating the Netherlands 2-0. That's the fourth World Cup for the US, with only one other country, Germany, having won more than once.
Co-captain Megan Rapinoe and Rose Lavelle scored the US goals, and Rapinoe earned the Golden Boot award, given for scoring the most goals (she actually won in a tiebreaker, beating out teammate Alex Morgan and England's Ellen White). She also won also won the Golden Ball, awarded to the tournament's best player.
To no one's surprise, Rapinoe earned plenty of special acclaim on social media.
"I'm glad the president of France is there so that our new president Megan Rapinoe can begin diplomatic relations immediately," Robyn Hammontree wrote on Twitter
I’m glad the president of France is there so that our new president Megan Rapinoe can begin diplomatic relations immediately.
— Robyn Hammontree (@Hammontreers) July 7, 2019
Me, the last 6 months: TOO MANY PEOPLE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT
— Dara Lind (@DLind) July 7, 2019
Me, today: WAIT IF MEGAN RAPINOE TURNED 34 THIS WEEK SHE’LL BE 35 AS OF NOVEMBER 2020
One Nation.
— ESPN (@espn) July 7, 2019
One mood. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/sL5BE1AfDv
That's President Megan Rapinoe to you.#USAvNED #USWNT
— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) July 7, 2019
Our very own Captain America #USAvNED pic.twitter.com/gUNOcB7VHz
— Nothing Gold Can Stay (@NdubitblyBrooky) July 7, 2019
PUT THESE WOMEN ON OUR MONEY. #USAvNED pic.twitter.com/Ra9fEjG0iQ
— Kalhan F. Rosenblatt (@KalhanR) July 7, 2019
Rapinoe's colorful hair also earned plenty of mentions. "Change the US colors to whatever colors Rapinoe's hair is," wrote one Twitter user.
CHANGE THE US COLORS TO WHATEVER COLORS RAPINOE'S HAIR IS
— Yaya Dubin (@JADubin5) July 7, 2019
I think legally we all have to dye our hair purple after that Rapinoe goal
— Hannah Stuart (@HockeywthHannah) July 7, 2019
we all have to cut & dye our hair like Rapinoe now. Sorry that she makes all the rules now. #USWNT 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— eileen 🌲🌲🌲🌲 (@eileenjforrest) July 7, 2019
That pose is so American I'm convinced the "purple" hair is actually three equally-measured red, white and blue dyes.#Rapinoe #USWMNT #USA pic.twitter.com/fcbhfeHjaw
— Bob Chipman (@the_moviebob) July 7, 2019
Some couldn't resist referring back to Alex Morgan's tea-sipping goal celebration against England last week.
This team danced on its competition. It was criticized for sipping tea. It didn't apologize for being flashy. It exercised its freedom of speech.
— Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) July 7, 2019
Everybody had an opinion. None of them could do a thing about it. #USA pic.twitter.com/B1p38YdcXH
Golden boot and golden ball winner Megan Rapinoe, you love to see it #USWNT pic.twitter.com/IGDVKpzMWz
— Stars and Stripes FC (@StarsStripesFC) July 7, 2019
POUR. THAT. TEA 🍵
— espnW (@espnW) July 7, 2019
The United States beats the Netherlands to win the World Cup for a fourth time! pic.twitter.com/jerCoutXSd
Shoemaker Nike immediately ran an inspiring one-minute ad congratulating the team and stating high hopes for what the victory will bring for women's soccer and sports.
Nike had a one-minute ad ready to go to celebrate the #USWNT’s 2019 World Cup win.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) July 7, 2019
Here it is. pic.twitter.com/CgMnHK9jiV
I sobbed. Fantastic job, Nike.
— Laura Connell Pyott (@collprof) July 7, 2019
The ad the world needs
— Buffington (@EdwinBuffington) July 7, 2019
Some social-media users pointed out that the women's team members will earn much less for the win than they would have if they were male.
#USWNT contracts gaurantee them about $200,000 each for this win, compared to if the men's team had won, each player would’ve received $1.1 MILLLION. EACH. #EqualPayNow #WorldCup2019 #USWNT https://t.co/cwsrtwJsCb
— Senator Katie Muth (@SenatorMuth) July 7, 2019
Now. Pay. Them. #USWNT
— Lily Adams (@adamslily) July 7, 2019
🗣 EQUAL PAY #USWNT pic.twitter.com/hQMGz6q54H
— Mina Park (@minapark) July 7, 2019
Celebrities were among the many who congratulated the team online. "You're welcome on my show any time. My World Cup runneth over," wrote talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres.
The US women’s soccer team are the world champions! I’m so happy. These women are the best of what our country represents. You’re welcome on my show any time. My World Cup runneth over. @USWNT #USA #FIFAWWC
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) July 7, 2019
USA!!! World Champions!! @USWNT are so amazing!!
— Mia Hamm (@MiaHamm) July 7, 2019
Congratulations to the #USWNT on their 4th World Cup win! These athletes have brought more attention, support, & pride to women’s sport than perhaps any other team in history. It is long past time to pay them what they rightly deserve. 🇺🇸🏆🏆🏆🏆 #USAvNED #WorldCupfinal #EqualPay
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) July 7, 2019
Go Team Go! @USWNT @USWNTPlayers #WomensWorldCup2019 pic.twitter.com/cWcjqscZ0O
— Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) July 7, 2019
WORLD. CHAMPIONS. Congrats @USWNT on @FIFAWWC #4! #USA | #USANED | #FIFAWWC | #OneNationOneTeam pic.twitter.com/Ymq8lX9FGw
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) July 7, 2019
So proud of you, Team USA—you inspire us all! #OneNationOneTeam https://t.co/YEHzyqOwZa
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) July 7, 2019
And a big congrats to the World Champions! So very proud of the @USWNT ! 🇺🇸
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) July 7, 2019
And some fans were already looking ahead to 2023.
Good game see you again in four years pic.twitter.com/CYnr7R6tdc
— Blind Diode Zezima Obama (@NewVegasWhoDis) July 7, 2019