The U.S. Women’s National Team is currently experiencing a decline compared to their previous successes. During the 2019 World Cup, they embodied the best characteristics of the American spirit: unwavering self-confidence bordering on arrogance, individualism that defied outdated norms. Off the field, they fought for equal pay by challenging their own employer and openly criticized the U.S. president. On the field, they were a dominant force, displaying adventurous and righteous play, firmly believing in their destiny.
However, in this year’s World Cup, the team has struggled, tying with Portugal and the Netherlands. They have won the battle for equal pay, but have lost the cohesion and sense of mission that defined them. Their search for a collective identity, as well as a midfield structure, is evident. Moreover, the team is led by a coach who appears overwhelmed by his position and reluctant to assert himself during crucial moments in matches.
The decline of American soccer can be attributed to the rise of other countries. Brazil, England, Spain, and even Colombia have displayed a level of dominance reminiscent of old-fashioned American power. These performances are not isolated incidents. The global women’s game is undergoing a revolution, with rapidly changing economic dynamics. The success of American women was historically rooted in the unique sporting culture of the country. However, this tournament has revealed the outdated nature of this model.
The historic success of the U.S. women’s team is closely tied to Title IX, a significant piece of legislation that required federally funded universities to treat male and female athletes equally. This was a true display of American exceptionalism, as the U.S. used colleges as a primary pipeline for developing professional athletes regardless of gender. The American university system produced a talented pool of female soccer players by providing them with top-notch coaching. Women from around the world flocked to universities like the University of North Carolina or Stanford to escape the sexism prevalent in their home countries.
However, for a long time, the U.S. struggled to translate this advantage into a robust professional infrastructure. Leagues came and went, offering meager pay and tolerating abusive coaches. The National Women’s Soccer League, established 11 years ago, is only now receiving the investment it deserves.
Other countries had an inherent advantage over the U.S., even though they were slow to realize it. European and Latin American countries boasted men’s soccer clubs with loyal fan bases, strong commercial support, and expertise in nurturing young players. However, due to sexism, many of these clubs did not establish women’s teams until much later. For example, Barcelona did not have a professional women’s side until 2015.
These countries eventually realized that their fan bases have an insatiable appetite for soccer, and that loyalty extends to the women’s game. Major clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Chelsea, who initially made minimal investments in women’s teams, realized the value and have since made further investments.
As a fan of Arsenal, I have witnessed this transformation firsthand. The women’s team is being increasingly recognized as equal to the men’s team. The club celebrates their women’s European Champions League victories alongside those of male players. Adidas features women’s players in promotional campaigns, despite some unfortunate injuries during the World Cup. Recruitment for both the men’s and women’s teams is overseen by astute executives armed with powerful analytics. The women’s team has also played matches in Emirates Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 60,000. Their matches are now broadcast globally.
Although European women’s squads still face inequality in terms of pay and playing conditions, progress is evident. Last year, the women’s teams of Barcelona and Real Madrid competed in front of 91,000 fans. The Women’s Champions League final sold out a 34,000-seat stadium in the Netherlands. The U.S. women’s professional league rarely achieves this level of scale.
The investment in the European game is also reflected on the field. Players join club-run academies from a young age, receiving superior coaching and developing higher technical skills and tactical awareness compared to their American counterparts. The emergence of highly skilled players like Aitana Bonmatí, a product of Barcelona’s youth setup, highlights this fact. The European model is also more inclusive, not limited to upper-middle-class families who can afford expensive youth soccer clubs with hopes of securing elite university scholarships. American clubs have even begun adopting aspects of this model, with the Portland Thorns and the Washington Spirit offering contracts to 15-year-old players, bypassing the traditional collegiate system.
In a way, the global development of the women’s game is a paradoxical result of America’s idealism in women’s soccer. The U.S. Women’s National Team has always represented a beacon of hope, showcasing what happens when girls are given access to the same resources as boys. They have rightly fought against the deep-rooted sexism in the sport. The team’s average performances in this World Cup may ironically indicate one of their greatest victories.
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