The hype for soccer could not be at a higher point than where it is heading into the Gold Cup and in large part it is due to the historic third World Cup title that the USWNT achieved this past Sunday. Carli Lloyd scored the fastest-ever hat-trick in a World Cup final to lead her team to a 5-2 victory over Japan.
Lloyd's efforts helped the United States celebrate something they had not achieved since 1999 and that they fell short off in 2011 when they lost in penalty kicks against the same team they faced in Vancouver, Canada. 25.4 million viewers watched this game on FOX and 1.27 did so in Telemundo with Andres Cantor.
Numbers were significantly higher than past editions
Fox gets 15.2 overnite rating for WWC final, higher than 13.3 for 1999 final
— Richard Sandomir (@RichSandomir) July 6, 2015
Both networks combined for a total 26.7 viewers across the United States. Cantor's call of Lloyd's third goal has gone viral as it lasted 37 seconds! The man himself calls it a candidate for goal of the year as he does not remember anyone seeing a goal like that in a World Cup final.
Cantor is not missing out on any soccer action this summer
Saturday-Santiago, Chile Copa América final. Sunday-Vancouver. Women's final. Landed-DFW for Gold Cup. I'm officially tired.
— ANDRES CANTOR (@AndresCantorGOL) July 7, 2015
Lloyd was the Most Valuable Player of the game and also won the Golden Ball for best player of the whole tournament. At the same time, she tied with Celia Sasic as the leading scorer of the tournament, but FIFA gave that honor to the German striker as she had played
This is the goal that could easily be Puskas candidate
It's halftime, which means it's a perfect time to watch Carli Lloyd's goal from the halfway line: http://t.co/ZtxAXiJPFW
— TopDrawerSoccer (@TopDrawerSoccer) July 5, 2015
Now the USMNT will take centre stage in the Gold Cup, knowing that the popularity of soccer is at an all-time high. While the number of viewers may not be that high, it is already known that they will debut under a sold-out crowd at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. If the U.S. wins the tournament, they will automatically qualify for the Confederations Cup in 2017, if not, they will have to play a play-off game against this year's winner.
Klinsmann knows the USWNT set a high bar for U.S. Soccer
JK: What the #USWNT did is amazing. I have to give them a big compliment for what they achieved and how they achieved it.
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) July 7, 2015
Also, if Klinsmann and his team defend the title they won in 2013, they will tie Mexico as the most successful team in the competition with six titles. They will claim at least for now that they are the best team in CONCACAF. Right now, FIFA has Costa Rica ranked as the best team in the region (14th).
The German manager called most of the players that made history for the Yanks in Brazil. After the World Cup, he had been working with mostly young players that were able to defeat teams like Mexico (2-0), Netherlands (4-3) and Germany (2-1). The games against the last two, were on the road, making their victories even more significant.
"It is very, very important to us obviously to do everything possible to win this competition. Winning it would qualify us for the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia, so putting the pieces together is very crucial", Klinsmann said.
Clint Dempsey is one of those players returning to action with the National Team. His experience as a veteran is something that Klinsmann looked for when making up the 23-man roster for this tournament. Michael Bradley is
Bradley will earn his 100th cap with the United States in the Gold Cup opener
Say hello to the #USMNT captain for the Gold Cup: Michael Bradley. http://t.co/KLp7fZHSNl pic.twitter.com/RPNebO3Tx6
— Stars and Stripes FC (@StarsStripesFC) July 2, 2015
Now the USMNT can think about riding the wave that the USWNT have created. Their performance in the final against Japan was seen by more people in the United States than the 2014 World Cup final. This is a moment in which Klinsmann's reliability as a coach will be tested, but the eyes of a nation are on him and the 23 men he has called up to defend their Gold Cup title and it all starts this Tuesday against Honduras.
Gold Cup fever has hit Twitter in the U.S.
Gameday #USMNT
— The American Outlaws (@AmericanOutlaws) July 7, 2015
Game day! Let's go fellas! #KeepTheCup #GoldCup2015 https://t.co/scpOLv1KtU
— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) July 7, 2015
It's game day. Start strong. pic.twitter.com/1D2IBqkYqR
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) July 7, 2015
Back in the USA. #GoldCupOnFOX starts today. There will be no seaplanes.
— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) July 7, 2015
2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup kick off doubleheader July 7 in Dallas Sold Out http://t.co/8Pe2Z3ahAk #GoldCup2015 pic.twitter.com/HZsLtRWyfn
— Gold Cup 2015 (@GoldCup) July 6, 2015
Time to slightly switch gears from the USWNT to the USMNT because the Gold Cup starts tonight!
— US Soccer Feed (@ussoccerfeed) July 7, 2015