US Women's National Team Celebrates World Cup Title With Fans In LA

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The entire 2015 U.S. Women's National Team celebrated their World Cup title with fans on Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles.

Thousands of fans attended the celebration at 11 a.m., located at L.A. LIVE's Microsoft Square, 777 Chick Hearn Court, and met the members of the team who won the first U.S. Women's World Cup since 1999.

The U.S. had struggled in the World Cup since winning the inaugural tournament in 1991 and then again at the Rose Bowl eight years later.

CBS2's Jasmine Viel reported from the celebration that dozens of fans lined up before 6 a.m. to make sure that they were at the front of the line when the proceedings began.

The U.S. team beat defending champion Japan, 5-2, in the 2015 tournament.

"I can't tell you how excited we are that L.A. was our first stop," remarked Head Coach Jill Ellis. "Most importantly, to every fan that had our backs, thank you so much."

Midfielder Megan Rapinoe, Goalie Hope Solo and other team members each took their turn thanking fans for their support.

World Cup finals hero Carli Lloyd says the exposure the women's team had to the public throughout the tournament was historic.

"I think the coverage that we had this World Cup has been unbelievable," Lloyd said. "So many people have been watching, people that don't normally watch soccer."

The rally concluded shortly before noon.