Sean Keeler looks back on an up-and-down year for the US men and women,12 months of fame, failure and farewells – and at least one coach under pressureFor a glory that felt a long time coming, and it was over with quickly: thanks to a Carli Lloyd hat-trick over the first 16 minutes of the contest – the fastest hat-trick from a kickoff in World Cup history – the US women’s national team trounced Japan 5-2 in the final on July 5 in Vancouver. It was America’s first title since 1999,capping a journey that saw coach Jill Ellis’s squad raise its collective form, round by round, and which each ascending stage,blanking China (1-0) and Germany (2-0) in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively. Related: One for the road: Abby Wambach's final match closes book on unassailable legacy Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com