USA TODAY Sports
VANCOUVER – Emotion and patriotism will be in plentiful supply during Sunday's Women's World Cup final, but for Christy Gardner the playing of the Star Spangled Banner will resonate more than most.
When the United States takes on Japan at BC Place, Army veteran Gardner, 33, will be there, accompanied by her set of crutches, her service dog, Moxie, and her younger sister Mariah Carrier.
The trio will be decked out in red, white and blue from head to toe (or paw), as the end stages of Fourth of July weekend coincides with the last stop on a journey that has taken them the across North America in order to cheer on the national team as it seeks World Cup glory.