Soccer

Hail to the victors: US women begin home World Cup championship tour with big LA fan rally

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Members of the U.S. women's soccer team and fans celebrate the team's World Cup championship during a public celebration, Tuesday, July 7, 2015, in Los Angeles. This was the first U.S. stop for the team since beating Japan in the Women's World Cup final Sunday in Canada. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (The Associated Press)

Members of the U.S. women's soccer team and fans celebrate the team's World Cup championship during a public celebration, Tuesday, July 7, 2015, in Los Angeles. This was the first U.S. stop for the team since beating Japan in the Women's World Cup final Sunday in Canada. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (The Associated Press)

The home celebrations are underway for the World Cup-winning U.S. women's national team.

The victorious Americans 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.