USWNT's World Cup championship means big win for retailers

NEW YORK (WABC) -- The U.S. Women's National Team's World Cup win is doing wonders for the sport in a country that seldom counts soccer as one of its favorites.

An average of 25.4 million fans in the U.S watched this game on television, beating the previous record set during the 1999 Women's World Cup Final -- and more than every game of the recent NBA Finals.

And for retailers, that means a sales boom like none other.

At Modell's in Midtown, there is plenty of things to choose from, all Team USA and full of red, white and blue pride.

Jason Fattorusso, from queens, is a huge soccer fan who has been following the USWNT for two decades.

"They're one of the biggest reasons why I started watching soccer," he said. "Back when Mia Hamm was on the team."

On Friday, the champs will travel up the Canyon of Heroes to celebrate their win against Japan, which has re-ignited millions of people's interest in the sport.

At Upper 90 Soccer store, owner Doug Gatanis says the top selling items have all been team merchandise.

"It started really, really selling right after the group stages of the World Cup," he said. "When USA got through to the next round, things really started to pick up.

Then there's Jessica Rodriguez and her family from Mission, Texas, who happened to be in New York on vacation.

"What a time to be in New York City," she said. "We're so excited. We woke up this morning and we're like, they have the ticker tape parade...we're going, we're so excited."