VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Amid the bedlam going on at BC Place, Christie Rampone was the last U.S. player to ascend the podium.
The U.S. women had just routed Japan 5-2 to claim its third Women's World Cup crown. Rampone's position as team captain meant she would be the first to hoist the trophy. As the last remaining link to the United States' Women's World Cup-winning team of 1999, it seemed fitting. Her teammates were even egging her on to be the one.
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