Kids From Across Tri-State Area Bring Energy, Excitement To World Cup Championship Parade

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Aside from the World Cup champion U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, the people who had the most fun at New York City's ticker-tape parade Friday were most likely the children who lined the route.

Mascone, Gavini, Coyleo -- these aren't names of players on the U.S. women's soccer team, but they could be one day, CBS2's Meg Baker reported.

"The cheers we mostly created on the bus and on the rides to games and on the rides to our games that we were playing, and we definitely gave parents a headache," said Carolyn Mascone.

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"It was an experience that we didn't want to miss for our kids," said coach Mike Mascone.

Midddletown Soccer Club is in high spirits having just won a championship themselves.

They started planning to attend the World Cup in Canada three years ago. Through fundraising events like car washes and bake sales, they made it.

"It was an amazing experience because I've never been to a World Cup before and I love all the cheering and fans," said Arianna Keily.

"We've been trying to teach them how to set goals and plans on what to do to achieve them," said coach Mascone.

And the team completed their journey at the ticker-tape parade.

"We don't wear no short skirts, all we wear are soccer shorts," the group chanted.

The group of 40 players and parents traveled from New Jersey to New York City and they had one thing to say: "Go USA!"

The girls attended soccer camps run by some of the women's national team who hail from New Jersey.

"Carli Lloyd, Christie Rampone, and Tobin Heath, they are great role models for us, especially because they are from New Jersey and that's where we come from. So we were really excited to see them," said Jordyn Gavini.

Meanwhile, a group of girls had a bird's eye view of the parade route Friday.

As WCBS 880's Ginny Kosola reported, more than 100 soccer players watched the parade route from the United Federation of Teachers headquarters as guests of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer.

"To see these young women ecstatic...they are really ecstatic," Brewer said.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew said the U.S. women's soccer team exhibits a great work ethic and competitive spirit that can inspire student athletes -- especially girls.

World Cup MVP and South Jersey native Carli Lloyd along with her teammates waved to fans along the Canyon of Heroes, a stretch of Broadway where the city has honored its legends.

This is the first time New York City has honored a women's team with a parade up the Canyon of Heroes.

It was certainly more than just a victory party as many of the girls said how the team has inspired them.

"It makes me excited because I can one day work up to that," said one fan.

Excited fans lined up along the parade route as early as 3:30 a.m., and by the time the parade got underway at 11 a.m., the crowd was five deep or more along the route. Some chanted, "USA! USA!"

All 23 players from the team, none of whom are from New York City though four hail from nearby New Jersey, rode on four of 12 floats.

The U.S. squad defeated Japan 5-2 on Sunday in Canada to win its first World Cup since 1999.

The girls who attended the party were from youth soccer programs across Manhattan. Brewer, a former lacrosse and field hockey player, said this win will change perceptions of women's soccer forever.

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In:
• U.S. Women's Soccer Team
• Michael Mulgrew
• World Cup