Women’s soccer team begins post-World Cup victory tour with win

PASADENA, CALIF. — Departing head coach Jill Ellis and the U.S. women’s national team opened their post-World Cup domestic Victory Tour with a 3-0 victory over Ireland on Saturday night.

Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan and Carli Lloyd scored first-half goals on a celebratory evening at the Rose Bowl to kick off a five-city tour bringing the champions to their eager stateside fans. They’ll also stop in Philadelphia, St. Paul and Charlotte before finishing in Chicago on Oct. 3 to conclude Ellis’ 5½ years in charge.

Ellis announced her decision Tuesday to walk away as the first two-time women’s World Cup champion coach, and this win improved her record to 103-718. The Americans’ new boss will have a compressed time frame to prepare the team for the Olympic tournament, which will be in the semifinals at this time next year.

“I just felt the timing was right,” Ellis said Friday.

But nearly four weeks after their Cup-clinching victory over the Netherlands, the Americans showed off the ample talent with which their new coach can work.

With an enthusiastic crowd of 37,040 cheering their every move, they had little trouble with Ireland, FIFA’s 33rd-ranked side.

Late in the scoreless second half, the crowd started a loud chant of “Equal pay! Equal pay!” Players on the women’s team sued the U.S. Soccer Federation in March, alleging gender discrimination in areas including financial compensation.

Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan missed the game while healing from minor injuries, and Mallory Pugh was scratched during warmups with a minor muscle issue.