Thousands watch U.S. win FIFA Women's World Cup at watch party in Lincoln Park

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Thousands strong gathered in Lincoln Park Sunday to cheer the American women's soccer team onto their third World Cup victory.

The viewing parting was organized by U.S. Soccer.

"It was an awesome game," said Tom Zeman. "So much fun. So much fun to watch."

The game had barely started when the U.S. scored its first goal against the Japanese squad. And then they scored again. And again. And again. Four goals in 16 minutes. The crowd went crazy.

The viewing party attracted a mostly young, college-aged crowd, among whom the sport is most popular. In fact, while in the U.S men's soccer has always taken a backseat in terms of popularity to other team sports, women's soccer is one of the most popular sports among girls and Sunday, it showed.

"It's great to see the women represented," said Madison Mikalauski. "It's usually the guys and it's great to see them win."

Viewing parties for the World Cup games have grown as the American women have taken out their rivals to make it to the final. While in the U.S., men's soccer has always taken a backseat in terms of popularity to other team sports, women's soccer is one of the most popular sports among girls.

"You can cheer for a team and a lot of people know about it, rather than be like, 'oh, the women play that sport? Oh, ok. Sure,'" said fan Shovanna Sunder.

"I love the physicality, and when everybody goes at each other, it's the best thing ever," said soccer fan Erin Madigan. "And scoring a goal, nothing better than scoring a goal."

The Women's World Cup is scheduled for 2019 and will take place in France.