(AP) – The World Cup-winning U.S. women's national team were welcomed to downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday by a crowd of several thousand cheering fans at a rally.
Abby Wambach joyously lifted the World Cup trophy while leading the roaring crowd in chants of "I Believe That We Just Won!"
Fans began camping out before dawn for the rally, which was scheduled on less than 24 hours' notice. The crowd was packed with boys and girls introduced to soccer by the tournament.
The U.S. women claimed their record third World Cup title Sunday in Vancouver, routing Japan 5-2.
Most of the women were headed home later Tuesday before reconvening in New York later in the week to continue their victory tour.
The U.S. team arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday, before continuing on to the L.A. Live entertainment complex next to Staples Center for a free public celebration that started at 11 a.m.
Fans were invited to meet the women who won America's first Women's World Cup since 1999.
Eager to join in the celebration, New York was also talking to the U.S. women's soccer team about the possibility of a parade.
Mayor Bill de Blasio's press secretary said Monday the administration congratulated the team "on its tremendous achievement and is currently exploring logistics and talking with the team and other partners about a possible ticker-tape parade."
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer had written to de Blasio suggesting the women be honored with a parade in lower Manhattan. In her letter, she said the team "set an amazing example for athletes across our great nation" and pointed out that there has never been a parade honoring a women's team.
"Our newest soccer champions represent an opportunity for New York to recognize that heroes and role models come in all genders," she said.
The route along Broadway is known as the Canyon of Heroes. Among those honored with parades have been the New York Yankees when they've won the World Series and the New York Giants when they've won the Super Bowl, most recently in 2012.
The events have been known as ticker-tape parades, from the ticker tape that was showered down upon those being celebrated from people in the nearby buildings. The ticker tape has been replaced by paper confetti.
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