The women’s final was the most-watched soccermatch ever, men’s or women’s, in United Stateshistory. Sunday’s game averaged 25.4 million televisionviewers.
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| United States' Carli Lloyd (3-L) celebrates with teammates, including goalkeeper Hope Solo (1), after Lloyd scored her third goal against Japan during the first half of the Women's World Cup soccer championship in Vancouver, Canada, July 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) |
American Carli Lloyd became the first woman to scorea “hat trick” in a final match. In other words, Lloydscored three goals in the game. She also broke therecord for the fastest three goals scored in Women’s World Cup history.
With seven total goals between the U.S. and Japan, the game was thehighest-scoring final in World Cup history. The U.S. team set a record of itsown, with five goals scored in the final match.
Japanalso set some World Cup records. Japanese midfielder Homare Sawanow shares the record with Brazil’s Formiga for playing in six of the sevenWomen’s World Cups.
Despite record-breaking television audiences and historic plays, the U.S. women’s team will receive only $2 million for winning its third World Cup – theonly women’s team ever to do so.
In comparison, the German team walked away with $35 million when it wonthe Men’s World Cup last year.
It comes down to revenue.
In its 2014 financial report, FIFA stated that the Men’s World Cup in Brazilmade more than $4.8 billion from broadcasters, advertisers and ticket sales. The men received more than $570 million in prize money last year in Brazil.
FIFA’s prize money for the women’s tournament in Canada this year was just$15 million.
American soccer player Megan Rapinoe said to the Associated Press, "I don'tthink $500 million would necessarily be a number that we're looking for interms of the number of sponsors they bring in and world views and theamount of money the men's World Cup generates, but something more than($15 million) would probably be appropriate."
With her record-setting performance in the final, Carli Lloyd received theGolden Ball, given to the tournament’s most valuable player. Experts believethat opportunities remain golden for Lloyd, with the possibility of manysponsorship deals.
And with the U.S. Treasury Department looking for a woman to appear on thenew $10 bill, U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team sent out a Tweetsuggesting some of their players:
“We've got an idea for a new $10 & $1. How about the best Women's Playerand Goalkeeper in the World” The Twitter message was posted along withphotos of Lloyd and goalkeeper Hope Solo.
I’m Ashley Thompson.
Hai Do wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was theeditor.
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Words in This Story
record– n. a performance or achievement that is the best of its kind
revenue– n. money that is made by or paid to a business or an organization
appropriate– adj. right or suited for some purpose or situation
sponsorship– n. an arrangement in which a sponsor agrees to give moneyto someone or something
