Sights From the USWNT Victory Parade in NYC

New York City's Canyon of Heroes rang with chants of "U­S­A" that were led by 8-year-old girls and American Outlaw members alike. Workers tossed shredded paper out of office windows, which rained down in clumps. The U.S. Women's National Team rolled by Manhattan streets in floats as part of the first ever ticker­tape parade held in New York City to honor a women's sports team. Fans lined up Broadway, some sections dozens ­deep, other places were even more crowded.

The visibility, the joy, and the legitimate diversity along the parade route was an encouraging sign for U.S. Soccer. The parade felt like more than just a celebration of a team. It felt like the ushering in of a new era. It felt meaningful. And Mayor Bill De Blasio, in his opening remarks, spoke about the significance of honoring women with such a parade. He did not hide from the politics.

There are still plenty of discussions to be had about the next steps for long-­term viability of women's soccer in America, the role of MLS, how to improve the pay for women both within the national team and the National Women's Soccer League. But on a sunny Friday morning in lower Manhattan, those discussions were acknowledged, and then put on hold for one more day.

New York City had some celebrating to do.

(All photos by Meg Linehan)

Abby Wambach addresses the crowd. After, competing chants of "Abby, Abby" and "Thank you, Abby" were started in City Hall Plaza.

The confetti rains down, the team has an impromptu sing­a­long, and there is a new record for the amount of sound that small a crowd can generate.

After the confetti was done, Wambach gamely posed for additional photos with the trophy.

Carli Lloyd has a quiet moment during the National Anthem.

Megan Rapinoe poses with her key to the city of New York. Roughly half the team did not get the memo that this should probably be a photo opportunity.

These three girls led U­S­A chants for roughly an hour before the floats with the national team arrived. They also probably made it on every local television channel. They had energy.

U.S.A. runs on Girl Power. That pretty much says it all.

Carli Lloyd's Go­Pro footage is going to be insane. Megan Rapinoe was entrusted with the World Cup trophy. Jill Ellis was also on this float, and mostly just tried to stay out of the danger zone of Rapinoe's more exuberant celebratory moves.

Members of NWSL squad Sky Blue FC, based out of New Jersey, represented the league in the parade.

The crowd is reflected on Kelley O'Hara's sunglasses. The corner of Broadway and Park Row was at least a dozen­ deep, and the noise was thunderous and constant. Even for the bagpipers.