By Liz Moir (@dj_lizkhalifa)
For the United States, its a great time to be a female athlete. Yes, in 1999 it was also a great time to be a female athlete, especially a soccer player, as the 99er’s proved. But today that magic of the United States women’s soccer team is back. In reality, it has been back since 2011, but as time goes on, the game continues to grow.
For those of you who might not exactly know, in 1999 the United States women’s soccer team won their first ever World Cup. Some of the famous faces include Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, and Briana Scurry as well as many others. The team today must follow in their footsteps, which is not as easy as it sounds.
Tuesday night, in the nations capitol, the metro’s and streets of DC were full of red, white and blue. Shirts and jerseys of all U.S. players flashed, faces were colored with paint and all the fans bursted with excitement in their eyes as they walked into RFK Stadium to enjoy a beautiful evening of some women’s soccer.
The USWNT played in a friendly match against Mexico Tuesday night in front of around 12,500 fans (ussoccer.com). Many of them were young kids excited to see their favorite athletes and their idols play right in front of their eyes. Not only were there young kids there to enjoy the sights of the best women’s soccer players in the world, but people of all ages. From high school kids to college athletes, while mixing in many adults. For anyone that was at the game, it was a sight to see. All these fans were just coming out to see the USWNT play in a friendly match.
For participating in athletics my whole life, I have noticed a huge change from the time I was growing up, to the time I was in college. Although this change is nothing like it could have been in the 70’s when female athletics and Title IX came into play, but it’s a change that has gradually been growing. It might be because I was a college athlete, but the emphasis that women have today in sports is still growing. Like I said before, in 2011 the USWNT blossomed for the second time. The loss in the World Cup led to a gold medal in the Olympics. The crowds grew through the years and games as they went on whether it was in the stands or the millions watching on the big screen.
I look back at last nights game and am still not only amazing by the crowds, because we know that women’s games have had sold out crowds before, but for the excitement on everyone’s faces even as the US team went on to win 7-0. No, it was not a close game by any means, but that didn’t matter. These players have made a name for themselves and to everyone who has ever been to a US soccer game can say it is a great thing to see in person.
Coming off of an injury and taking a rest day, the United States was without Alex Morgan. But even without Morgan, the team went on to dominate in the attacking end. Sydney Leroux went on to score four goals. One goal shy of becoming only the sixth US soccer player to score five goals in a match. Abby Wambach scored her 161st goal in her career and newcomer Morgan Brian scored her first goal in only her second cap. To add to those amazing goals defender Rachel Buehler scored as well. This game might have been a blowout, but for myself, it was a game I will never forget.
To see the excitement of these athletes making phenomenal plays and goals and to see the fans cheering on every single time the United States touched the ball, were just a few of the moments I will remember from going to this game. But the thing that I will remember the most was watching all of the little girls in the stands cheering on their favorite athletes, smiling and awing as they saw a remarkable goal and laughing with their friends. Although all of the fans were excited to see their idols, it was amazing to see the athletes on the field respect their fans and give thanks and “wave” and “blow kisses” to everyone. That was a sight you don’t see everyday.
I can truly say nothing was more exciting than cheering “USA” in the crowds and watching the one team in women’s athletics who made a name for themselves not through their success, but also through their failures. To see the USWNT team come as far as they have, I can only see where the road can lead to…and it will be many more games like the 2011 World Cup and the 2012 Olympics.
DRB Sports Talk 