USA All the Way

With the championship game tied at zeros in the 96th minute, Carli Lloyd receives the ball twenty-five yards from goal. Without thinking, without hesitating she takes one touch to the top of the box and fires a shot at the Brazilian net. The goalkeeper reacts and lunges to her left. Too late, there is nothing she can do; the ball rips into the side netting. And, the US WNT goes up 1-0.

Inspired by Lloyd’s laser, the defense rallies around Hope Solo’s goal and endures a barrage of attacks by the desperate Brazilians. The South Americans throw everything they’ve got at the US in a last gasp effort, but Solo stands tall in goal. And, after 120+ minutes of brilliant soccer, the whistle blows and the US WNT has done it again – against all odds the USA defends their Athens gold and wins their third overall.

Perseverance in the face of adversity is Next Level.