U.S. Olympians on Twitter Thrilled by World Cup Victory

(ATR) Carli Lloyd’s three goals propelling the U.S. women’s national soccer team to a 5-2 World Cup victory over Japan ignited a social media firestorm.

U.S. Olympians, past and present, took to Twitter to congratulate Lloyd and Team USA on its first World Cup title in 19 years.

Lloyd, who scored gold-medal winning goals at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, tallied a hat trick in the opening 16 minutes of Sunday night’s finale providing the U.S. with an insurmountable 4-0 lead.

Former national team member and three-time Olympic gold medalist Heather Mitts posted on Twitter:

Party in the #USA & Vancouver. Love this team. The depth, the talent, the heart. Congratulations!!!!!!! 🇺🇸🎉🎉🇺🇸💃#USA #IBelieveThatWeWillWin

— Heather Mitts (@heathermitts) July 6, 2015

2004 Olympic soccer gold medalist Julie Foudy wrote:

Whatever Lloyd had for lunch today, I would like for the REST OF MY LIFE. #FIFAWWCFinal

— Julie Foudy (@JulieFoudy) July 5, 2015

The most decorated Olympian of all-time Michael Phelps also congratulated the

ladies squad writing:

Way to go @ussoccer_wnt !!! World Cup champs!! #USA

— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) July 6, 2015

Fellow U.S. swimmer Missy Franklin tweeted:

So proud to be an American and have those incredible women represent us on the soccer field💙🇺🇸❤️ #OneNationOneTeam

— Missy Franklin (@missyfranklin) July 6, 2015

Lloyd, who will turn 33 next week, was the first woman to notch a hat trick in a women’s World Cup final earning her the Golden Ball Award. With the dominating victory in front of 53,341 spectators at B.C. Place in Vancouver, the U.S. became the first nation to win three women’s World Cup titles.

USOC chief executive officer Scott Blackmun, who only joined Twitter last month, referenced veteran players Abby Wambach and Christie Rampone.

So cool that Abby and Christie got on the field..genuinely happy with the outcome! Kudos for the culture @ussoccer and Jill Ellis! #champs

— Scott Blackmun (@ScottBlackmun) July 6, 2015

USOC director of communications Patrick Sandusky wrote:

Cloud nine. What a result. What an amazing group of athletes, women, role models and Americans. #webelievedandwewon

— Patrick Sandusky (@PatrickSandusky) July 6, 2015

Of Lloyd’s astonishing performance, which included scoring a shocking two goals in the opening five minutes, Boston 2024 quoted the film "The Sandlot":

"Heroes get remembered, but legends never die." #USA pic.twitter.com/uR0bTp86E3

— Boston 2024 (@Boston2024) July 6, 2015

Lloyd’s popularity soared so much during Sunday’s memorable match in Vancouver that her personal website crashed, the result of too many hits. Her following on Twitter rose by more than 40,000 during the contest. Currently, Lloyd’s account stands at 369,000 and climbing, up from the 289,000 followers when the match

kicked off.

U.S. president Barack Obama offered his congratulations and an invite.

What a win for Team USA! Great game @CarliLloyd! Your country is so proud of all of you. Come visit the White House with the World Cup soon.

— President Obama (@POTUS) July 6, 2015

Lloyd replied to the U.S. president:

Thank you Mr. President! See you very soon at the White House!! https://t.co/B5haZJd1cA

— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) July 6, 2015

Lloyd, who is holding off on wedding plans with her longtime boyfriend until after the Rio 2016 Games, tweeted this morning along with a photo of her teammates:

No words to describe how happy I am right now! We did!! So proud of everyone on this team! https://t.co/Ef26RNDXf7

— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) July 6, 2015Written by Brian Pinelli

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.