LOS ANGELES >> The U.S. women’s national soccer team will return to the Southland Monday following its victory over Japan to claim the team’s third FIFA Women’s World Cup, and a celebratory rally is planned Tuesday in downtown Los Angeles.

The team is expected to arrive late this afternoon at Los Angeles International Airport. The squad defeated Japan 5-2 during Sunday’s World Cup final in Vancouver, avenging their loss to Japan in the 2011 final.

A series of boisterous watch parties were held Sunday in Los Angeles and Orange counties, organized by local chapters of American Outlaws, a nationwide support group for the U.S. men’s and women’s national soccer teams.

A celebratory rally is planned for 11 a.m. Tuesday at Microsoft Square at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. Gates will open at 9 a.m.

Details of the event, including a registration form for people planning to attend, are available online at www.lalive.com/forms/us-womens-soccer-rally.