World Champions!

It was really over by the time Carli Lloyd scored the third goal of her hat trick, just 16 minutes into the final.  When it was "only" 2-0, you thought maybe Japan will get organized, maybe get a goal before halftime, then come back in the second half to tie or even go ahead. Didn't happen.

Lauren Holiday made it 3-0 in the 14th minute, then Lloyd completed the hat trick with a wise decision: she saw Japanese keeper Aiyumi Kaihori out too far and lofted a long ball from near midfield past the startled goalie and into the net.  And then you knew for sure it was over.  Not a twinge of worry when Yuki Ogim narrowed the gap to three with a goal in the 27th minute.  It was over.

An own goal charged to Julie Johnston cut the lead to to two before Heath's score put it back at three. But it was over.

Coach Jill Ellis used two of her three subs to get Abby Wambach and Christy Rampone, each playing in her final World Cup, into the game.  In a classy gesture, Lloyd turned the captain's armband over to Wambach when she entered the field.  Afterwards it was Wambach and Rampone who accepted the cup foe the United States.

Jere Longman wrote the game story for the New York Times.

For the third straight match Lloyd was player of the match and she was rightfully awarded the golden boot as the tournament's MVP.

I'm very proud of Carli Lloyd and to have coached her way back when with the Medford Strikers.  Tonight showed what hard work and determination can do.