“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.” That’s Megan Rapinoe on the incredible run by America’s Women’s World Cup champions. At one point during the tournament, President Trump admonished Rapinoe (because of course he did): “Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job!” Well, she won. But the job continues. Sports Illustrated on a team for the ages, and for this age. Unflappable. Unapologetic. Unequaled. (Sending Americans abroad who don’t embarrass us… Now that’s winning!)

+ NYT: US Wins World Cup and Becomes a Champion for Its Time.

+ The World Cup crowd started chanting ‘equal pay‘ right after the US women won.

+ “The US has found itself with a huge number of phenomenally talented female soccer players: how did we get them?” The Guardian: USA’s formidable women’s soccer team is no accident. It’s a product of public policy. (Luckily, Women’s Soccer wasn’t in Jared’s portfolio…)