When the United States’ women’s team kicked off their World Cup campaign, fatalism took hold of my thoughts. As much as I hoped for the best, my mind stubbornly warned me that the team was destined for the worst. It was painfully obvious that the squad lacked proper coaching and injuries to key players hindered their ability to overcome poor tactics. From the first game, I anxiously watched the rest of the tournament, searching for another nation to embrace in case the U.S. disappointed.
Spain immediately caught my attention with their intricate passing and stylish ball domination. Being an Anglophile, I was also intrigued by England, until their star player, Lauren James, impulsively committed an egregious act by cleating a fallen Nigerian player, Michelle Alozie. The English team then downplayed the offense, leaving me disillusioned. However, now that the U.S. has been eliminated from the World Cup, there is one team that every impartial fan of good will should passionately support. This team is Colombia, due to their electric style of play and the obstacles their players have had to overcome.
While it is easy to celebrate the progress of women’s football and the success of the U.S. women’s fight for equal pay, many countries still subject their female players to appalling treatment. Among these, Colombia stands out as one of the most shocking examples.
We know about this mistreatment largely because of the courage of Colombia’s midfielder, Daniela Montoya. During the 2015 Women’s World Cup, her team made it to the round of 16, a remarkable feat for Colombian women’s soccer, which was still in its early stages. However, not only did her teammates fail to receive equal pay, but they allegedly received no pay at all, only minimal assistance with expenses. When Montoya spoke out against this injustice, her country’s federation retaliated by denying her a spot on the Summer Olympics squad in 2016. She later produced audio clips in which a Colombian soccer official seemingly admitted that she was punished for daring to voice her concerns.
Wage theft is pervasive in Colombian women’s football. Atlético Huila, a women’s team, won the Copa Libertadores, South America’s elite club championship. The players were promised a collective sum of $55,000 for their triumph. However, their winnings were apparently redirected to a businessman who had financed the team. Similar to Montoya’s situation, the player who exposed this injustice to the media was excluded from the national team. Despite her efforts, the club eventually succumbed to public pressure and provided the promised rewards to the women.
These incidents are just a sample of the numerous disrespectful actions taken by officials. Players have complained about having to pay for their own international flights and not being provided with new jerseys. One influential club owner, who also served in the nation’s senate, even described the women’s game as a “petri dish of lesbianism.”
The situation further deteriorates when looking at the alleged abuse suffered by players in the U-17 national team. The team’s technical director is accused of inappropriate conduct, propositioning the teenage girls and entering their hotel rooms without consent. Despite the allegations, the players who spoke up were excluded from the national team. The technical director reached a plea bargain, admitting to a reduced charge but evading prison time.
Despite all these adversities, Colombia’s women’s team has made remarkable strides in this year’s World Cup. They deservedly defeated the second-ranked team in the world, Germany, and have now advanced to the quarterfinals after eliminating Jamaica. In the upcoming match against a weakened English squad, their 18-year-old attacker, Linda Caicedo, will take center stage. Caicedo has been the revelation of the tournament, captivating audiences with her extraordinary skills and potential to become one of the greatest players in the game’s history. Her goal against Germany showcased her impeccable footwork and is considered one of the tournament’s highlights.
Caicedo’s biography alone makes her an enthralling figure. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 15, she continued to criticize the Colombian federation for its mistreatment of the team. Her remarkable abilities led to a transfer to Spanish superclub Real Madrid’s improving women’s side. However, her medical history serves as a constant reminder of her vulnerability. Before Colombia’s game against Germany, a video captured Caicedo collapsing during practice, prompting medics to rush to her aid. The team attributed it to fatigue, but the incident underscored the delicate balance between sporting brilliance and unforeseen contingencies that make Caicedo such a sympathetic and irresistible protagonist.
What is perhaps most thrilling about Colombia’s performance is the connection they have forged with their fans. The Colombian supporters in Australia and New Zealand are among the largest and most passionate at the tournament. This is an achievement in itself, considering the obstacles imposed by owners and officials along their journey. In many ways, Colombia’s women’s team embodies the spirit of the U.S. women’s team, who won over public opinion through both their courageous activism and outstanding performances on the field. Americans should embrace the Colombian team as their own.
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