- The United States Women's National Team dominated the Netherlands in the World Cup final to win the tournament for the second straight time.
- Megan Rapinoe was a star for the American side throughout the competition, coming through time and time again when her team needed her most.
- After the win, the USWNT shared a photo of a young Rapinoe cheering on the iconic 1999 team on Twitter.
- Rapinoe and her teammates undoubtedly inspired the next generation of soccer superstars with their impressive run in France.
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Megan Rapinoe became an American hero over the course of the United States Women's National Team's dominant run through the World Cup.
By the end of the tournament, Rapinoe had secured both the golden boot and the golden ball - awarded to the top goal-scorer and MVP of the competition respectively - while also scoring what would prove to be the title-winning goal in the final against the Netherlands.
Rapinoe had invited plenty of attention throughout the tournament, for both her fiery play on the field and her inclination to speak for what she believes in, whether for pay equity in women's soccer or against President Donald Trump, and in the end, she proved all of her doubters wrong.
After the tournament, Rapinoe said stepping up under pressure was nothing new.
"I'm made for this," said after the final, per Sports Illustrated. "I mean, I love it. Obviously, getting to play at the highest level in a World Cup with a team like we have is just ridiculous. But to be able to couple that with everything off the field and to back up all those words with performances and back up all those performances with words, it's just incredible. I feel like this team is just in the midst of changing the world around us as we live, and it's just an incredible feeling."
As it turns out, it should come as no surprise that Rapinoe was so ready for her moment, as it's one she's been preparing for since she was a child.
On Monday, the official account of the USWNT shared a photo of a young Rapinoe cheering on the iconic 1999 team, which won the World Cup on home soil.
20 years later, that same girl would lift the trophy with her teammates.
Rapinoe is not the only member of the 2019 team to see an old photo of theirs go viral since the final. Midfielder Rose Lavelle, one of the breakout stars of the tournament for the United States, was seen in a photo released by her elementary school dress up as Mia Hamm, one of the leaders of the 1999 team, for an old school project.
After their big win in France, Rapinoe and Lavelle have inspired millions in America and around the world.
In 20 years time, we'll likely be seeing photos of the next generation of soccer stars dressed as or cheering on their idols from the 2019 team in a similar fashion.
- Read more from Tyler Lauletta:
Nike released an inspiring commercial celebrating USA's Women's World Cup win
Twitter is falling in love with Megan Rapinoe's iconic goal celebration
Megan Rapinoe scored 2 goals to put the Americans through to the World Cup semifinal and now everyone wants her to be president
Dream big, kids.@mPinoe, 1999. pic.twitter.com/K0Yw0xCBdK
- U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) July 8, 2019