It was 16 years of frustration poured out in 16 minutes across stunned Japanese players strewn upon the Canadian turf, a storm of empowerment, astatement of self.
With a blaze that cut through the final shadow-filled hours of the Fourth of July weekend, it was American sports at its toughest, America's team at its best, the women's World Cup trophy welcomed back to the first nation that won it.
Scoringfour goals before one could blink, finishing with an effort few will forget, the USA women's national soccer team defeated Japan, 5-2, Sunday in Vancouver to win its first Women's World Cup championship since 1999.