Intro
In this episode of “The Daily,” the end of an era for U.S. Women’s Soccer is explored. The U.S. women’s team’s elimination from the World Cup marks a significant shift in the landscape of women’s sports. From iconic moments to activism, the team has made a lasting impact. However, the rest of the world has caught up, and the U.S. team’s dominance is no longer guaranteed. Megan Rapinoe, one of the team’s most experienced players, reflects on the team’s legacy and the challenges ahead.
Main Takeaways
The End of an Era
- The US women’s team being eliminated from the World Cup marked the end of an era that redefined women’s sports
- The US-Sweden game was tense and went into a penalty shootout
- Megan Rapinoe, one of the most experienced players on the US team, missed a penalty kick
- The Swedish player who followed her also missed, and Sophia Smith missed the next shot for the US
- The game ended with a dramatic save by US goalkeeper Nia, with the help of Goal Line technology
The Legacy of US Women’s Soccer
- The US was knocked out by a unit of measurement (0.04 inches) that the country does not recognize
- The US women’s soccer team’s era of inevitability is over and they are now fallible
- The US had a systemic advantage in women’s soccer due to PICAL 9, which made provision for the equal treatment of men and women’s sports
- The 1999 Women’s World Cup made the US women’s soccer team significant with players like Mia Hamm and Brandy Chastain becoming genuine stars
- The iconic shot of Chastain in celebration, taking her jersey off to reveal her sports bra, became a defining moment for women’s soccer
Activism and Advocacy
- The victory gave the US women’s team a platform for activism, leading to better conditions and pay for players
- The establishment of the first professional women’s soccer league in the US cemented the team’s dominance
- Players like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe became household names and avatars of the sport
- Rapinoe’s significance grew off the field as an advocate for LGBT rights
- Megan Rapinoe leads a lawsuit for pay equity with the men’s team
The Catching Up of the Rest of the World
- Rapinoe kneels during the national anthem in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick’s protest against racial inequality
- Rapinoe stands up to President Trump and refuses to visit the White House after winning the World Cup
- Rapinoe is willing to stand up for what she believes in, regardless of who it may upset
- Winning games and trophies gives athletes a platform to speak up and be heard
- The US women’s soccer team has lost a World Cup game for the first time in over a decade, signaling the end of an era and the catching up of the rest of the world.
The Changing Landscape of Women’s Soccer
- European club teams started taking an interest in women’s soccer about 10-15 years ago, leading to the rapid growth of the sport and the improvement of European teams.
- European clubs have a talent creation machine that recruits players as young as 6 years old, creating a natural disadvantage for the US system where women’s soccer is a middle-class pursuit and leads to colleges rather than professional teams.
- The US system is exposed to global competition and loses its advantages with systems like Title 9 when Europe invests in the pipeline for women’s soccer.
- The gap between the US and European teams has been closing since the 2019 World Cup, and there was a real sense among European teams that the US team was there to be taken down in the 2021 World Cup.
- Many of the US team’s players are in their mid to late 30s and this World Cup may be their last era.
Summary
The End of an Era for U.S. Women’s Soccer
The US women’s team’s elimination from the World Cup marks the end of an era that redefined women’s sports. The tense game against Sweden, which went into a penalty shootout, saw Megan Rapinoe and Sophia Smith miss crucial shots. However, the game ended with a dramatic save by US goalkeeper Nia. The US women’s team’s era of inevitability is over, and they are now fallible. This loss highlights the catching up of the rest of the world in women’s soccer.
The Legacy of US Women’s Soccer
The US women’s soccer team’s legacy is rooted in iconic moments and activism. The 1999 Women’s World Cup, with players like Mia Hamm and Brandy Chastain, made the team significant. Chastain’s celebratory moment, taking off her jersey to reveal her sports bra, became a defining moment for women’s soccer. The team’s victory gave them a platform for activism, leading to better conditions and pay for players.
The Catching Up of the Rest of the World
Megan Rapinoe’s activism off the field, including kneeling during the national anthem and refusing to visit the White House, has made her a significant figure. The US women’s soccer team’s loss in the World Cup signals the end of an era and the catching up of the rest of the world. The growth of women’s soccer in Europe and the investment in talent development have closed the gap between the US and European teams.
The Changing Landscape of Women’s Soccer
European club teams have been investing in women’s soccer, leading to rapid growth and improvement. The US system, where women’s soccer is often a middle-class pursuit leading to colleges rather than professional teams, faces challenges from the global competition. The gap between the US and European teams has been closing, and the 2021 World Cup saw European teams aiming to take down the US team. Many of the US team’s players are in their mid to late 30s, and this World Cup may mark the end of their era.
Conclusion
The end of an era for U.S. Women’s Soccer signifies the catching up of the rest of the world and the challenges faced by the US team. Despite the loss, the team’s legacy of activism and advocacy will continue. The US women’s team has inspired many within women’s soccer to stand up for the issues they believe in. While no longer the default champions, the team’s impact as people is respected and admired.
