LOS ANGELES (AP) The U.S. womens national soccer team celebrated its Womens World Cup victory on both coasts Wednesday, honored with a ticker-tape parade in New York City before jetting to the West Coast and collecting trophies at The ESPYS in the evening.
Alex Morgan won female athlete of the year and shared the best team award with her soccer mates.
Sorry, but this is probably the second-best trophy we won this week, Morgan said jokingly, hoisting her individual trophy.
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks won male athlete of the year at the show honoring the past years top athletes and moments in sports.
This is all about hard work. When you believe in your dreams this can happen, Antetokounmpo said. Hopefully, if I keep working hard theres more to come.
Comedian Tracy Morgan presided over the show at Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
Alex Morgan thanked ESPN for its recent deal to carry NWSL games.
When the World Cup is behind us, it is the professional league that we need to continually lift up and grow, she said. Investment in women and girls should not only occur on the playing fields but in more storytelling of badass, amazing women who continue to show that we are more than just athletes.
Sandra Bullock announced the best team award, saying, All those in favor of equal pay say aye.
The U.S. womens team is suing to receive pay equal to their male counterparts.
Keep fighting for equality, Billie Jean King told the team from the stage earlier in the show.
Carli Lloyd informed the crowd the team had its hair and makeup done during the flight from New York.
We look pretty fabulous, I think, she said.
Lloyd added, Its been an incredible journey. Heres to the next World Cup.
Other athletes acknowledged the Womens World Cup victory from the stage, including Drew Brees, winner for best record-breaking performance.
