Throughout this year's Women's World Cup, UC Davis defender Lindsay Johansen will share her thoughts, views, opinions and experiences about this historic event. As a Vancouver native who has competed at the Division I level for three seasons, Johansen will offer a unique perspective since it is her home country that is hosting women's soccer's most prestigious tournament.


On July 5, 2015, I attended my first World Cup championship match when the U.S. faced Japan. I walked into the stadium and almost the entire crowd was covered in red, white and blue. In this match, I was cheering for the Americans - a team I have become very familiar with since I began living in the States. I was excited to watch Hope Solo's aggressiveness, Alex Morgan's speed and (my favorite player) Julie Johnson's defensive prowess. Since Japan defeated the U.S in the in the final match of the previous World Cup, it was evident that most of the American players wanted to avenge that result.

If you watched the final, your jaw dropped just like every person in the stadium. Golden Ball Award winner Carli Lloyd scored her first of three goals in the first three minutes of the match. The game had barely started and many fans were still getting seated; the entire crowd rose and cheered for the goal that took place during the first opportunity of the game.

Two minutes later, Lloyd scored another goal, followed by yet another U.S. goal from Lauren Holiday that was scored at the 14-minute mark off another cross. Two minutes later, Lloyd scored the most outrageous goal in the World Cup when she caught Japan's goalkeeper off her line, took a chance from the half-way line and chipped one over the 'keeper. This was a brilliant goal; at the same time, everyone felt badly for the goalkeeper who had tripped while backpedalling to save the ball.

At the end of the first half, and early in the second, Japan scored to cut its deficit in half at 4-2. However, Tobin Heath scored the USA's fifth goal to seal the win for the United States. Even though the Americans are a better team on paper, Japan is known for never giving up and coming back late in games.

Even though the score was 5-2, Japan fought really hard and late in the second half definitely had its opponent on their heels. As most teams do when they are ahead late in the game, the Americans tucked in, sat back, and tried to waste as much time as possible holding the ball in the corners of the field safely away from their goal.

Being given another chance in a World Cup final, against the same opponent for the second straight occasion, motivated this American squad. Just like the crowd, who was chanting, "I believe that we will win," this U.S. team shared that belief.

Having this event in my city was incredible; in a city that seemed to lack it, this World Cup brought so much enthusiasm for women's soccer [to Vancouver]. I overheard many people at games talking about how they never thought they would enjoy women's soccer as much as they do now. I know that this event will inspire so many young girls to want to be on that field someday.

I hope the Women's World Cup also encourages the creation of additional programs to help develop Canadian athletes. In my case, watching this soccer had me itching to run out on the field and play for my country.

Johansen and her women's soccer teammates will face San Jose State on Aug. 15, in a road exhibition match, before hosting Santa Clara on Aug. 21, at Aggie Soccer field, in the team's 2015 season opener. UC Davis will compete at home 11 times, click here to view the Aggies' upcoming schedule and mark your calendars accordingly!