Gone are the days when I can record a workday Women's World Cup match and watch the event in time delay. The whole nation is talking.
In the aftermath of last Sunday's quarter final, the US Women made it on national network news. Again today, no sooner than 5 minutes after the completion of today's semi-final, I encountered a co-worker commenting, "how about the US team, huh? 3-1 against France and going to the final!"
I can run, but I can't hide. The US Women have brought the Women's game back to the mainstream, at least for a bit. The news is everywhere. It's going to get me in to trouble. Now I have to sneak out to watch work day matches so that the results aren't spoiled for me by some eager fan. Fortunately, today...I snuck the boss out with me.
The team never failed to stir up excitement and to put smiles on fan's faces. Last Sunday's game had everything you would expect out of a football match and it's bringing folks who have never watched women's soccer into the fold. Such was the case today in the packed cafe where I eagerly watched the team take on France. There was never a doubt in my mind that the US team would emerge victorious even when France tied the game up at 1-1. There is one quality which sets the US women apart from it's competition: teamwork. They are by all standards the archetype of what a team should be. They truly play for each other. No one is trying to be the lone superstar. Their results show it. It's inspiring and I think the country is starting to take notice.
It's great news for the women's game and for young girls everywhere; one can hope that the current excitement will carry those smiles on faces beyond this tournament. It's just this kind of inspiration, that some are seeing for the first time, which I have been raving about. It's what our daughters need and it's up to us to make sure it stays around beyond the World Cup.
In my efforts to support the women's game, I came across Jun Stinson, journalist and maker of the film The 90th Minute. Jun's film follows the progress of WPS team, FC Gold Pride as she set out to chronicle the state of the women's game last year. Little did she know at the time that FC Gold Pride would fold at the end of only it's second pro season and after a national championship no less. It's my hope that this film can help to spread the word about the reality that is women's soccer and that it, and the current excitement from the World Cup, might strengthen support for our pro leagues, the women who play in them and the young girls that aspire to do so someday.
Along with help from Senda Athletics, effort is now underway to help support the 90th Minute and to arrange a screening in the Berkeley, CA on August 19 at 630pm. We will have the filmmaker, Jun Stinson and hope to have pro players on hand from WPS and WPSL for Q&A.
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