The U.S. Women’s National Team will wake up in American beds Tuesday morning, catching up on social media and news headlines about their historic World Cup victory, after a virtual blackout on their flight from France to Newark, N.J. on Monday.
On Wednesday, they’ll ride on floats through Lower Manhattan’s Canyon of Heroes in a ticker tape parade, and receive the key to New York City at City Hall. The last time NYC threw a ticker tape parade it was for the 2015 Women’s World Cup champions, some of whom are 2019 champs as well.
But before the public tribute, here’s a look back at how the USWNT celebrated behind closed doors, from the pitch to the locker room in Lyon, as well as aboard their eight-hour flight across the Atlantic, and everything in between.
Thanks to the team and its players for sharing their experience through Twitter and Instagram! Depending on your internet connection, loading these links may take awhile (but it’s worth it!).
DRIPPIN’ in GOLD#OneNationOneTeam pic.twitter.com/3gjuiP4HC5
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 7, 2019
GAYS rule. It’s science. And you are welcome. https://t.co/Cc2qC1NfIE
— Ashlyn Harris (@Ashlyn_Harris) July 7, 2019
Be sure to play this one with the SOUND UP!
🎶 of the WORLD 🎶
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 8, 2019
ʞɔɐq to back. pic.twitter.com/3B3YEMWujn
🍾🏆 🍾🏆🍾🏆🍾🏆 pic.twitter.com/uJfnwamUTo
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 7, 2019
Girlies. @kelleymohara @MalPugh pic.twitter.com/S8yMHg8fpW
— Allie Long (@ALLIE_LONG) July 7, 2019
You’ll find many, many many more wild pix of the celebration on Ashlyn Harris’s Instagram stories, collected here by our friends at SB Nation. Oh, look, here’s Megan Rapinoe joining the party!
when the presser holds you back…
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 7, 2019
so you’re welcomed in style. pic.twitter.com/8w9rioUxCd
These ladies know how to make a grand entrance.
my brain: don’t say it…⁰me: IT’S A PARTY IN THE USA! 🍾 pic.twitter.com/XxuXWo3vz5
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 7, 2019
Party time!
It’s Megan Rapinoe on a bus, celebratory glass still in hand.
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 7, 2019
It’s been real, France ❤️
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 8, 2019
But we gotta go home. We have a nation to celebrate with! pic.twitter.com/NXs9Wchs2j
Alex Morgan knows how to hold on tight to her dreams.
.@alexmorgan13 is making sure the most recent member of the fam makes it home safe too. pic.twitter.com/8ACI1xbAUH
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 8, 2019
Buckle up, baby!
Safety first, always. But also a nice pillow to make the journey 🏠 easier. pic.twitter.com/drvXNEaSJp
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 8, 2019
Eight hours in the air, no WiFi.
🛬🛬🛬🛬
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 8, 2019
📍 United States of America pic.twitter.com/hL71kX6Tt9
HOME! (Well, actually… Newark, but you get the idea)
🇺🇸 Home Sweet Home 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/AGa79VZaoi
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 8, 2019
What did you bring us?
Brought you back a little something.
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 8, 2019
🏆 World Champs,baby! pic.twitter.com/iUonZWgv1q
LOVE their tops.
COUNT ‘EM
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 8, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/Q4rGsV3NIg
Ya think…. 🤣 https://t.co/9gBXLSLdRg
— Ashlyn Harris (@Ashlyn_Harris) July 8, 2019
And we leave you with this look back at Megan Rapinoe, circa 1999, thanks to @uswnt Can you guess which girl is Megan?
Dream big, kids.@mPinoe, 1999. pic.twitter.com/K0Yw0xCBdK
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 8, 2019