Most Important Moments in Sports

#2 United States Recaptures World Cup

The U.S. Women’s National Team stunned Japan in the opening minutes of the match and went on to defeat the defending World Cup champion 5-2, becoming the first three-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner. 

Photo Credit: (C) ISI Photos by Steven Limentani

In the first 16 minutes of play, the U.S. took a 4-0 lead after Carli Lloyd netted the fastest hat trick in Women’s World Cup history, and then Lauren Holiday added a goal to put the United States up by a wide margin.

Photo Credit: (C) ISI Photos by Steven Limentani

Twenty-three million watched the game on TV, setting a record for soccer-game viewing on a single U.S. network.

Photo Credit: (C) ISI Photos by Steven Limentani

The World Cup also featured two players who played in their record sixth World Cup: Formiga, 37, of Brazil and Homare Sawa, 36, of Japan. Plus, a lawsuit over playing on artificial turf rather than grass and was somewhat overshadowed by the corruption scandal that led to the arrest of several prominent FIFA members.

Read more about the US Team's Victory from Rolling Stone.

Most Important Moments in Sports

#3 Another First for Serena

At 34 years old, Serena Williams continues to set records in the Women’s Tennis Association.  At one point during the season, Serena had more than twice the number of points as her next closest competitors, the first time in WTA history. 

By Tourism Victoria from Australia (Australian Open 2015) CCBY2.0

Serena also completed her second “Serena Slam,’ having won the Australian, French and Wimbleton this year to coincide with last year’s U.S. Open. All told, Serena collected more than $10.5 million in prize money in 2015. On Dec. 14, she was named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year, the first solo female to win the honor since Mary Decker in 1983.

Read more about her Sports Illustrated selection: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2015/12/15/serena-williams-explains-idea-behind-sports-illustrated-cover/77391104/

Most Important Moments in Sports 2015

#4 Tying History

The Connecticut Huskies repeat as NCAA basketball champions after whipping the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 63-53 for its third consecutive title and 10th title overall; the Huskies have twice snagged three-consecutive championships. 

©John Todd/ISI Photos

Coach Geno Auriemma is tied with the legendary John Wooden of UCLA with 10 NCAA titles, the most in college basketball history.

Read more about Auriemma and the UConn mystique: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/07/sports/ncaabasketball/at-uconn-lessons-to-respect-the-past.html?_r=0 

Most Important Moments in Sports 2015

#5 You Gotta Believe

Holly Holm defeats reining Ultimate Fighting Champion Ronda Rousey with a second-round knockout on Nov. 15 at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

Rousey has a 12-1 record with nine victories by way of submission, but the loss to Holm (10-0) leaves a blemish Rousey can only redeem by entering the Octagon again.

“Rowdy,” who seemed unbeatable going into the fight, is taking time to recover from brutal kick to the head from Holm.

Watch the end of the bout here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLOadLVT5XU