With Game Of A Lifetime, Carli Lloyd Gives U.S. A New Hero

— -- VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- As the minutes of extra time ticked away Sunday, Carli Lloyd flicked the ball past a Japanese defender, collected it on the far side and played it down the sideline to run off still more time. Then she turned to the referee and raised her arms in the universal indication that it was time to bring the game to a close.

On this particular field on this particular night, one might have thought she would wish to linger as long as possible, to never let the game of a lifetime escape her grasp.

Then again, you don't get many opportunities for a celebration like that which awaited when the whistle finally did make a 5-2 win for the United States official.