Horan grew up in Golden and played for the Colorado Rush Soccer Club. Pugh grew up in Highlands Ranch and competed on the rival Real Colorado Soccer Club.

"It's awesome, us being home in our hometown and seeing all these fans and a team that we've supported our whole life," the 25-year-old Horan said. "Getting to celebrate with them was really cool."

Pugh, 21, echoed Horan's statements about the raucous cheers that came from the Broncos' fans when they were introduced as USWNT players and Coloradans.

"We have so many fans here, and just to come back home and be surrounded and feel the support, it makes us proud to be from Colorado," Pugh said.

Horan and Pugh first met when they played at a U-20 World Cup tournament, and they weren't immediately good friends, but their friendship grew over time. Once Pugh became the youngest player to make the USWNT four years ago, she and Horan bonded over their Colorado heritage and appreciation for the state's youth soccer.

So, it was natural that "Mal" ran up to Horan and jumped on her back on the sidelines before the game as a way of saying hello. And, it was more fun to plan what to say into the stadium microphone together than it would have been alone.

"I think we're always on the same email when it's anything Colorado," Horan said and shrugged and smiled, looking at Pugh. "We always do it together."

Friends and family stood with the pair on the sidelines during the Broncos' pregame warmups, and they snapped pictures of Horan and Pugh with Ellis, John Elway and Von Miller – documenting world champions greeting fellow world champions.

Horan and Pugh's conversations were casual with the Broncos greats, but family ties to Broncos Country made the interactions, and the day, exciting.

"I think both my parents were huge Broncos fans," Horan said. "My mom is a die-hard John Elway fan, so she was jealous to see us meet him today. I think we kind of grew up in a Broncos household, so [it's] very cool for us to be here."

Added Pugh: "Growing up with a Broncos household … it's just kind of natural."

Horan and Pugh were natural hype-women, as Pugh called into the mic, "Come on, Broncos Country!"

Horan followed with, "We need to hear ya!" before the two pounded their chests and watched both fans and Broncos players jump around and pound their chests to the same rhythm.

The pregame encouragement from the soccer stars worked, as the Broncos went on to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 23-20.