NEW YORK, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of New Yorkers gathered at downtown Manhattan Wednesday morning to celebrate with the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team following their victory at the World Cup 2019.
Amid chants of "USA" and a snowstorm of confetti, players rode on floats in a ticker tape parade with New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio along Broadway to City Hall, a route dubbed "the Canyon of Heroes."
The team beat the Netherlands 2-0 on Sunday in France, winning its second consecutive World Cup, also a record-breaking fourth title.
In a ceremony at City Hall, de Blasio presented the team with the symbolic "Keys to the City."
"This team brought us together. This team showed us so much to make us hopeful," said the mayor.
U.S. women's soccer team player Megan Rapinoe said she "couldn't be more proud to be a co-captain."
"We have pink hair and purple hair, we have tattoos and dreadlocks, we got white girls and black girls and everything in between. Straight girls and gay girls," Rapinoe highlighted the diversity of the team.
"I'm just super proud of every single player on this team. It took all 23 players to get to this point. Everybody played a role," said star player Carli Lloyd.
The team was also hailed for championing equal pay. All 28 players filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation in March due to the fact that their male counterparts earn a much higher salary.
To show his support, Governor Cuomo, at a press conference before the parade, signed into law an equal pay bill which was passed by the State Legislature earlier this year.
"We stand with them in solidarity. Equal pay for equal work," he noted.
The ticker tape parade is a tradition of New York to honor winners and heroes which dates back to the 19th century. Past honorees have included astronauts Neil Armstrong and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela. Enditem
