Episode Two: Soccer
Kicking it old school style….
1917 Dick Kerr Ladies Soccer Team. Credit: Wikipedia
The first organized women’s soccer league in the United States was established in 1951. Credit: Slate
In 1982, the NCAA sponsored the first ever women’s soccer tournament.
1982 UNC Women’s Soccer Team that won the first NCAA women’s soccer championship. Credit: Ram’s Club
1985 saw the birth of the US Women’s National Soccer Team.
The 1985 US Women’s National Soccer Team. Credit: The 18
The Winning Starts
The first Women’s World Cup was held in China in 1991 and won by… guess who? The USWNT.
1991 USWNT at the first Women’s World Cup. From left to right, top row: Joy Biefeld, Carla Werden, Debbie Belkin, Michelle Akers, Mary Harvey, April Heinrichs. Bottom row: Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Shannon Higgins, and Carin Jennings. Credit: New York Post.
The 1991 USWNT in the airport in China for the Women’s World Cup. Credit: Front Row Soccer
The 1991 USWNT after the win. Credit: Duke University
Michelle Akers in the 1991 World Cup. Credit: Sports Illustrated.
Women’s soccer made its Olympic debut in the 1996 Olympics hosted in Atlanta. The USWNT took home the gold.
1996 USWNT after winning the gold medal. Credit: New York Daily News.
1996 USWNT after winning the gold medal at the Olympics. Credit: Crawford Family US Olympic Archives
The Giants of ‘99
The 1999 World Cup hosted by the United States, changed women’s soccer in the United States forever. Our team of superstars made sure no one would forget their names or their accomplishments with a stunning win.
1999 USWNT after winning the World Cup. Credit: Pasadena Star News
Credit: CNN
1999 USWNT. From Left to Right, Top Row: Joy Fawcett, Kate Sobrero, Cindy Parlow, Michelle Akers, Brandi Chastain, Briana Scurry. Bottom Row: Tiffeny Milbrett, Kristine Lilly, Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Carla Overbeck. Credit: New York Daily News.
Credit: FIFA.
Brandi Chastain’s celebration of ripping off her shirt after kicking the game winning penalty became memorialized as a symbol of female athletic triumph.
Brandi Chastain ripping off her shirt after scoring the winning penalty kick against China in the ‘99 World Cup. Credit: Getty Images
Brandi Chastain. Credit: Bleacher Report.
Brandi Chastain. Credit: Sports Illustrated.
The game deciding penalty kicks.
2011 World Cup
While the US fell to Japan in the finals of the World Cup, the semi final match against Brazil went down in history as one of the most dramatic soccer games ever. Watch the full match in all its glory here.
2011 World Cup last minute goal by Abby Wambach allowing the US to advance to the finals.
USWNT after beating Brazil and advancing to finals in 2011 World Cup. Credit: CBS Chicago
Abby Wambach after scoring goal in 122nd minute to tie the game against Brazil. Credit: Getty Images.
2012 Olympics
Winning is a habit for the USWNT. The 2012 Olympics was no different. We brought home the gold.
USWNT celebrating the Olympic gold medal. Credit: Getty Images.
Carli Lloyd after scoring one of two goals in the final against Japan. Credit: 97 Rock
2012 USWNT after winning the gold medal at the Olympic Games. Credit: Getty Images
Back to Back World Champs
The 2015 World Cup saw the first of two back to back World Cup wins for the USWNT.
2015 USWNT Cover for Sports Illustrated. Credit: Sports Illustrated
2015 USWNT after winning the World Cup. Credit: Vox
Then…. we had 2019. The World Cup victory for the USWNT marked the fourth World Cup title for the US.
2019 World Cup USWNT. Credit: USA Soccer
Credit: Getty Images
Credit: New York Times
USWNT paid tribute to their personal heroes on the backs of their warm-up jerseys. Credit: US Soccer
The US Professional Women’s Soccer Leagues
Credit: Wikipedia
The Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) was the world’s first professional soccer league where the players were paid and was founded in 2000. The league folded in 2003.
Credit: Wikipedia
Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) was the second professional women’s soccer league in the United States. It started in 2009 and met the same fate as WUSA, folding in 2012.
Credit: National Women’s Soccer League
The National Women’s Soccer League picked up the mantle of professional women’s soccer in the united states. It was founded in 2013 and today has nine teams with plans for a tenth team.
Credit: North Carolina Courage
Credit: Washington Post
The Battle for Equal Pay
Fans clamor for equal pay at a 2019 NWSL game. Credit: Medium
Megan Rapinoe wearing her warm-up jersey inside out in protest of the unequal pay the USWNT faces when compared to the US Men’s National Team. Credit: Them
The USWNT wearing their warm-up jerseys inside out in protest of the unequal pay. Credit: WTHR