Former UCLA head coach Jill Ellis (1999-2010) led Team USA to its record third Women's World Cup title and first since 1999. Ellis has been Team USA's head coach since May 2014.
Holiday, starting in her sixth match of the tournament, scored on a volley in the 14th minute to give the U.S. a 3-0 lead. Golden Ball winner Carli Lloyd scored two goals in the first five minutes and earned a hat trick just one minute after Holiday's goal, increasing the U.S. lead to 4-0 after 15 minutes.
Japan eventually cut the lead to 4-2, but the U.S. answered quickly on a goal by Tobin Heath in the 54th minute, and the countdown to coronation was on.
Three-time UCLA All-American Sydney Leroux (2008-11) played in four games and had three starts during the Women's World Cup, recording one assist in the tournament opener against Australia.