Twenty-five years ago, U.S. women’s soccer had two major hurdles to clear. The first was soccer itself. Who in America cared about that? Second, it was women’s soccer. That wasn’t a hot ticket, either.
Talk about a 20th Century double-whammy.
But in 2015, things couldn’t be much different. Both the aforementioned challenges were met long ago. Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight makes a statistical argument that the U.S. Women’s National Team is the greatest World Cup dynasty ever, male or female, foreign or abroad.
Now all the Americans have to do is beat Japan, the team that put them away four years ago, to write the epilogue. The U.S. team has personality, talent and attitude, so there’s plenty of reason to pay attention. Three years ago at a USWNT practice at Rio Tinto Stadium, there were over 2,000 spectators. I later wrote that proof the American team had arrived wasn’t the 16,805 that attended the match against Canada, so much as the large numbers at practice.
Those USA players — many of whom are on this year’s team — were genuine celebrities. Now they’re three years more established, and many of those kids who were at Rio Tinto that day have grown into young adult soccer fans.
Why the game is drawing so much attention now is easily answered. First is the success. Sports teams that are the world’s best almost always develop a fervent fan base. Second is revenge. The U.S. lost in the 2011 World Cup finale to Japan, but returned the favor in the Olympics. Now comes the third installment.
Asked that day at Rio Tinto if she had “forgotten” the anguish of losing to Japan a year earlier, Solo said, "Um, no. I'm not about to forget about last summer. It is motivation."
That approach certainly seems to have worked.
Although some recoil at the mere mention of physical attractiveness, that’s at least a factor in the team’s expanding popularity. There was indignation last week when soccer’s governing body, FIFA, blithely commented on USA’s Alex Morgan’s appearance in an article, saying she has "a style that is very easy on the eye and good looks to match."
The writer should have been censored on two counts: sexism and awful writing.
Looks are beside the point, as far as Sunday’s game is concerned. But marketing is a different matter, and the USWNT players haven’t exactly shied from publicity. Solo has appeared in a swimsuit on Vogue’s cover and nude in ESPN’s “Body Issue,” as have teammates Sydney Leroux, Ali Krieger, Abby Wambach and Megan Rapinoe. Morgan was in a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and others have posed and posted bikini pictures.
The message seems to be this: respect them for their game, but also for their toned bodies. Or maybe the photos are really just icing on the (cheese)cake. (In fairness, numerous male athletes pose for the Body issue, too.)
USWNT players understandably want to be respected for their talent, but know looks can earn money, expand a brand and generate endorsements. Fortunately, the talent will take the forefront on Sunday. Can the USA maintain its lock-down defense? Will American power prevail over Japanese precision? Does the sting of 2011 still motivate Solo and teammates?
It will be all about soccer, no titillating photos required.
That doesn’t mean there is no longer sexism in sports. But many inroads have been made. Unlike things such as the Legends (Lingerie) Football League, women’s soccer is a real sport, with its own merit.
I doubt on Sunday there will be a wolf whistle anywhere to be found.
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