New York City Celebrates Women's World Cup Winners With Parade of Champions
By Jonathan Lemire ••
Watch highlights from the Parade of Champions in downtown Manhattan Friday.
Fresh off its World Cup championship, the U.S. women's soccer team got a hero's welcome on Friday with a ticker-tape parade in lower Manhattan mobbed by young girls and other flag-waving fans, followed by a City Hall ceremony where each player was given a key to the city.
"All of this for us started when we were little and we had a dream," star forward Abby Wambach told a crowd of 3,500 at City Hall Plaza. "In my opinion, all the women up on this stage believed in that dream, kept believing in that dream. "
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Head coach Jill Ellis called the celebration "mind-blowing." And midfielder Carli Lloyd, named the World Cup's most valuable player after scoring three goals in the final, told the crowd, "Well I'm a Jersey girl ... but New York City, you guys are awesome."
Parade-goers — many wearing red, white and blue — started gathering at 3:30 a.m. along the Canyon of Heroes, a stretch of Broadway where the nation's largest city has honored its legends. When the parade got underway at 11 a.m., the crowd was as much as 10 deep along the route. Chants of "USA! USA!" were distinctly high-pitched.
It was the first-ever ticker-tape parade in New York for a women's sports team — a fact not lost on the crowd. A 4th floor window on a building near the route was decorated with a homemade sign that reads "Girl Power" with four American flags.
Bjonda Ademi
Bjonda had an awesome time at the parade! (Credit: Bjonda Ademi)
@spifunkey/Instagram
Fans dress up for the parade. (Credit: @spifunkey/Instagram)
@sas3033/Instagram
United States Women's National Team players wave to fans as they ride on a float in the ticker-tape parade. (Credit: @sas3033/Instagram)
@sas3033/Instagram
United States Women's National Team players wave to fans as they ride on a float in the ticker-tape parade. (Credit: @sas3033/Instagram)
Lori Napolitano
A fan holds the American flag in honor of the United States Women's National Team winning the FIFA World Cup. (Credit: Lori Napolitano)
Andrew Dallos
United States Women's National Team players wave to fans as they ride on a float in the ticker-tape parade. (Credit: Andrew Dallos)
Andrew Dallos
Abby Wambach hold the trophy after the United States Women's National League won the FIFA World Cup. (Credit: Andrew Dallos)
Andrew Dallos
United States Women's National Team players wave to fans as they ride on a float in the ticker-tape parade. (Credit: Andrew Dallos)
Andrew Dallos
The United States Women's National Team players pass by on a float. (Credit: Andrew Dallos)
Peter Faustino
Tons of ticker-tape on a young girl. (Credit: Peter Faustino)
Jerry Piemonte
Hailey, Bri, Arielle and Antonetta are all geared up and ready to go for the parade. (Credit: Jerry Piemonte)
Andrew Dallos
Fans from Connecticut go all out for the ticker-tape parade! (Credit: Andrew Dallos)
Andrew Dallos
A fan from New Jersey holds a "We Believe" sign at the ticker-tape parade for the United States Women's National Team after they won the World Cup. (Credit: Andrew Dallos)
@ryanv14/Instagram
Best friends wait for the parade to start. (Credit: @ryanv14/Instagram)
@kristennbreihof/Instagram
Fans are excited that the United States Women's Team won the World Cup! (Credit: @kristennbreihof/Instagram)
@katiemess/Instagram
Fans wait for the parade to start. (Credit: @katiemess/Instagram)
Andrew Dallos
As seen along the parade route. (Credit: Andrew Dallos)
Andrew Dallos
This fan is ready to support the United States Women's National Team! (Credit: Andrew Dallos)
Andrew Dallos
Fans from Long Island are excited for the parade! (Credit: Andrew Dallos)
Andrew Dallos
A flag is hung outside the New York Stock Exchange for the United States Women's National Team World Cup win! (Credit: Andrew Dallos)
Andrew Dallos
A fan waits for the start of the parade. (Credit: Andrew Dallos)
Peter Faustino
She representing girl power! (Credit: Peter Faustino)
"I'm glad to see girls getting a parade," said 9-year-old Christinah Delesine, who wore a blue soccer shirt. "There should be more."
Robert Sanfiz, who brought his three children — Julia, 8, Chris, 7 and Tommy, 2 — had a similar take.
"It's great for her to see women finally be represented," Sanfiz said. "It's great for her self-esteem."
Mayor de Blasio presents keys to New York City to each member of the World Cup champion U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.
Ireland Giaquinto, 13, held a sign reading, "Thank you for letting me dream."
Among the estimated 200,000 fans lining the streets for the Parade of Champions were bright-eyed young girls admiring the world-class athletes waving to them. Andrew Siff has more of the sights and sounds from the historic celebration.
All 23 players from the team were riding on four of 12 floats. One of the floats was carrying the World Cup trophy, along Lloyd and Mayor de Blasio. Gov. Cuomo was on a separate float.
The players could be seen taking selfies and shooting photos of the crowd. As the parade started, goalkeeper Hope Solo tweeted: "We couldn't be more excited be here!" with a photo of herself and five teammates.
