When Lloyd made her debut on the team in 2005, there was still no viable professional league in the United States. Pugh and Horan are both Denver-area natives, and both came up through the hypercompetitive ranks of Colorado youth soccer. They are models for what Lilli and Reese plan to become when they grow up: pro soccer players. — Pugh for the Washington Spirit, Horan for the Portland Thorns — and they have high-profile endorsement deals (Pugh with Nike, Horan with Adidas). Pugh and Horan didn’t know this yet, but they would each make the World Cup squad — another milestone reached.

Source: International New York Times June 10, 2019 09:00 UTC