I remain speechless about this whole tournament and its amazing ending which will remain epochal on so many levels. I am also so touched my dear Grant that you mentioned me and my work on women’s football in England and Europe and women’s soccer in the United States in this context! What an honor! But as I say in that work: rejoicing in such an epochal day is a totally different proposition from following women’s club soccer von a daily level. That will come in England at some point but it will take time! But no pondering thoughts following this glorious outcome! Bravissimae!!!!
I started playing soccer here in the US in 1978 in an area that has strong women's teams, Northern Virginia. We have won amateur national tournaments from the Open Cup for Over-30s in St. Louis, Over-40s in Washington state, Over-50s in Massachusetts, Over-55 in I forget where and just recently Over-65 in Tennessee (there are more but I can't remember them all) and I have cried so many times over what is happening in the women's game now! Thank you for your perspectives, Grant - always love them!
What a great article after an amazing tournament! I traveled a fair bit in the late 1990s and early 2000s and was struck that I never seemed to meet any European women who played soccer (or any team sport for that matter). I recall a conversation with an Irish friend who said girls just didn’t have the opportunity (at least in the 1980s) to play sports other than badminton and tennis. Thank goodness times are changing and the world is taking notice! So great to see all of England embrace this team!!!
Also yesterday was the last stage of the wonen’s Tour de France - the first one in 39 years. It was riveting from start to finish, and way more entertaining than the average men’s grand tours. The tales of the women who pushed for this to happen for *decades* are a study in perseverance and determination. They make for a great read.
When you’re not reading Grant’s articles and listening to the pod, that is…
Grant, thanks for this. I learned something about the history of the women's game in England (the shameful but unsurprising ban) and enjoyed the insightful coverage of the final. I was riveted by the coverage and sheer quality of the football in this tournament, and so glad that England won (we all know the quote about football and the Germans--happily not true this time). I have no doubt it will have huge repercussions for women's football and for England, and your comparison with the USA and 1999 was very apt (and of course I immediately thought of Chastain when Kelly ripped off her shirt). I also thought about that 2019 USA-England WC game, and think a real rivalry is brewing. Can't wait for the WWC next year. As usual, thanks for making the effort to travel and cover this event in person, and do your part to help advance the women's game!
Thanks David. I know I can't control results, but I was kind of glad England won for the story's sake. I had a lot more to say about England than I did about Germany if they had won.
I hope you are right Grant. But we saw little in the entire Concacaf region that suggests growing interest. If you delete Canada and the US, there is only Mexico and support is barely noticeable there for the women. Soccer interest for the womens game was zero in the entire tournament. On tv, it looked like there were fewer people in the stadium than on the team benches. It was a public embarrassment ( the lack of interest) and you know it. Anyone, anywhere, who tuned in any match saw the empty seats. Moving further south, the stories of Interest and funding for womens soccer from major soccer nations of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, etc are horrifying. And, due to distance and language, we know nothing about Asia. Other than the fact that China faced us in 1999, and Japan was once good. I guess anything can happen in 50 years. But the mountains to climb are very high. Sigh…
If the USWNT did develop some hardcore rivalries would certainly add some juice and interest to the She Believes Cups. Could be a great way for interest in the women's game to not just revolve around major tournaments every four years.
I remain speechless about this whole tournament and its amazing ending which will remain epochal on so many levels. I am also so touched my dear Grant that you mentioned me and my work on women’s football in England and Europe and women’s soccer in the United States in this context! What an honor! But as I say in that work: rejoicing in such an epochal day is a totally different proposition from following women’s club soccer von a daily level. That will come in England at some point but it will take time! But no pondering thoughts following this glorious outcome! Bravissimae!!!!
Thanks Andy!
I started playing soccer here in the US in 1978 in an area that has strong women's teams, Northern Virginia. We have won amateur national tournaments from the Open Cup for Over-30s in St. Louis, Over-40s in Washington state, Over-50s in Massachusetts, Over-55 in I forget where and just recently Over-65 in Tennessee (there are more but I can't remember them all) and I have cried so many times over what is happening in the women's game now! Thank you for your perspectives, Grant - always love them!
What a great article after an amazing tournament! I traveled a fair bit in the late 1990s and early 2000s and was struck that I never seemed to meet any European women who played soccer (or any team sport for that matter). I recall a conversation with an Irish friend who said girls just didn’t have the opportunity (at least in the 1980s) to play sports other than badminton and tennis. Thank goodness times are changing and the world is taking notice! So great to see all of England embrace this team!!!
Thank you! Felt really lucky to be there. This breakthrough in England has been a long time coming. Glad it finally happened.
Thanks for sharing—and for reading!
Great article, Grant. It’s why we subscribe.
Also yesterday was the last stage of the wonen’s Tour de France - the first one in 39 years. It was riveting from start to finish, and way more entertaining than the average men’s grand tours. The tales of the women who pushed for this to happen for *decades* are a study in perseverance and determination. They make for a great read.
When you’re not reading Grant’s articles and listening to the pod, that is…
Grant, thanks for this. I learned something about the history of the women's game in England (the shameful but unsurprising ban) and enjoyed the insightful coverage of the final. I was riveted by the coverage and sheer quality of the football in this tournament, and so glad that England won (we all know the quote about football and the Germans--happily not true this time). I have no doubt it will have huge repercussions for women's football and for England, and your comparison with the USA and 1999 was very apt (and of course I immediately thought of Chastain when Kelly ripped off her shirt). I also thought about that 2019 USA-England WC game, and think a real rivalry is brewing. Can't wait for the WWC next year. As usual, thanks for making the effort to travel and cover this event in person, and do your part to help advance the women's game!
Thanks David. I know I can't control results, but I was kind of glad England won for the story's sake. I had a lot more to say about England than I did about Germany if they had won.
Thank YOU!!!
I hope you are right Grant. But we saw little in the entire Concacaf region that suggests growing interest. If you delete Canada and the US, there is only Mexico and support is barely noticeable there for the women. Soccer interest for the womens game was zero in the entire tournament. On tv, it looked like there were fewer people in the stadium than on the team benches. It was a public embarrassment ( the lack of interest) and you know it. Anyone, anywhere, who tuned in any match saw the empty seats. Moving further south, the stories of Interest and funding for womens soccer from major soccer nations of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, etc are horrifying. And, due to distance and language, we know nothing about Asia. Other than the fact that China faced us in 1999, and Japan was once good. I guess anything can happen in 50 years. But the mountains to climb are very high. Sigh…
I concur. The attendance at that tournament was abysmal.
If the USWNT did develop some hardcore rivalries would certainly add some juice and interest to the She Believes Cups. Could be a great way for interest in the women's game to not just revolve around major tournaments every four years.