When the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, lead by head coach Jill Ellis, won the World Cup championship against Japan at Vancouver on Sunday, July 5, Americans in the super-charged crowd weren’t the only ones cheering.
Ellis is a resident of Palmetto Bay and her daughter, Lilly, attends Coral Reef Elementary School. Those at the school wanted to do something to help celebrate the moment.
“Our school PTA and administration was just looking for a way to see how we can do something to honor her or the village can, as no doubt this is a huge deal to have someone like this living here in our community,” said Catherine Christin, a parent at the school.
The result was a large banner commemorating the victory, along with an American flag, placed along the fence at the school to show support. Ellis, after her return to Palmetto Bay following the win, brought her daughter to the school to see the sign, then a few days later Ellis was off again, heading to New York City for a tickertape parade honoring the team, and a visit to the White House pending after a congratulatory phone call from President Barack Obama.
It was America’s first World Cup title win since 1999, when the U.S. beat China on July 10 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, and the third U.S. championship to date.
Ellis could not be reached for comment at deadline time, and whether she will continue to lead the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team in its bid at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil remains to be seen. But she clearly made her fellow village residents proud.
Originally from England, Ellis is a naturalized U.S. citizen and has been living in this country since her father, John Ellis, relocated the family here.
