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It was 16 years in the making, and for many of the veteran players, their last shot, but the U.S. Women's National Team defeated Japan 5-2, winning the World Cup.

Carli Lloyd led those efforts with a historic match of her own. Lloyd scored three of her squad's goals, earning the only hat trick in Women's World Cup final history. Her first goal, which came in the third minute, was also the fastest scored in a Women's World Cup final.

This was Abby Wambach's swan song, and she went out a world champion.

The win marks the end of a remarkable World Cup career for Abby Wambach. It was her fourth and final World Cup appearance after a long tenure with the USWNT that began in 2001. Over that time, she won three Olympic gold medals and multiple Algarve Cup championships.

After the historic win, Abby rushed the stands to kiss her wife Sarah Huffman.

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Congratulations to the team, who have inspired girls (and boys) around the country.

On a personal note, Abby is from Western New York, and has always been a hero in these parts. I watched the local news intently this morning, and to my relief, amazement, and joy, they did not shy away from showing the sweet moment between Abby and Sarah. Even ... FOX!

That's progress.