Indy fans go wild over Women's World Cup win

A couple of hundred Hoosiers went wild on North Street as Carli Lloyd scored the U.S. team's fourth goal against Japan in the first 15 minutes of the final game of the Women's World Cup on Sunday evening.

The U.S. Women's National Team went on to win the game in Vancouver, British Columbia, 5-2, bringing the assembled fans to their feet with chants of "U-S-A."

The watch party on North between Park and College avenues was co-hosted by the city of Indianapolis, Bright House Networks and the Indy Eleven, who were playing their fall opener against the New York Cosmos at 7 p.m., the same time as the World Cup final.

"It's a unique opportunity to showcase both the world's game and Indianapolis' team," said Indy Eleven spokesman Tom Dunmore.

"What better way to celebrate the women making it to the final" than to have a watch party, he said. The party included food trucks and deals on beer at two breweries on the block.

Fans in red, white and blue were glued to the screens, a larger one playing the women's game, with a smaller one beneath it showing the Indy Eleven game.

"It's the best of both worlds," Drew Schwier, 24, said of being able to watch both games at once. Schwier is an avid soccer fan with season tickets for Indy Eleven's games.

"I don't think I could have imagined it any better," he said right after Tobin Heath scored the fifth goal for the U.S., stretching its lead to 5-2.

The U.S. Women's National Team hadn't won the World Cup since 1999, losing in 2003, 2007 and 2011. This year's final game was a rematch of 2011's game, when Japan tied the score twice before winning on penalty kicks.

The U.S. went on to beat Japan in the Summer Olympics in 2012, but it wasn't the same as winning the World Cup.

"It's an incredible feeling," said Anita Hernandez. "It's really cool to see that so many people are excited for a women's sport."

She and Schwier were holding a sign reading "America!"

The pair also were excited that Indianapolis native Lauren Holiday scored the third goal of the game.

Down the block, another screen played just the World Cup game. Josh Baker, 28, had a front-row seat at that screen and leapt to his feet as the U.S. scored.

"In your dreams, you hope you'll score four goals in the first 15 minutes," he said. " You don't actually think it will happen!"

Baker was decked out in the stars and stripes, with an American flag hanging like a cape and light-up American flag sunglasses. He said he had been tweeting at Indy Eleven all week, encouraging them to host the party.

"It helps foster the spirit that Indy is a soccer city," he said.

Indy Eleven hosted a watch party on Massachusetts Avenue for the Men's World Cup in 2014 that was attended by thousands of Hoosiers. The turnout for the women's game was low in comparison, but Dunmore said he thought people might be tired after Fourth of July celebrations Saturday.

Many of the gathered fans were wearing Indy Eleven gear, but the rapid, early success of the U.S. Women's National Team somewhat overshadowed the Indy Eleven game, which ended in a 1-1 tie.

Thomas Dock was at the watch party to support the Indy Eleven with his dog, Victorio, who is the Indy Eleven mascot. Victorio wore the team's away jersey.

"It's really neat that Indianapolis has a professional soccer team," Dock said. He's new to soccer fandom, but he said he finds the game fascinating.

"People think it's not an American game, but when you sit down and watch it, it really is a fast-moving game," he said. "I'm really starting to get into it."

Call Star reporter Ellen Garrison at (317) 444-6179. Follow her on Twitter: @EllenGarrison.