Born to a conservative Irish father, I initially felt like my decision was an act of defiance, rebelling against the norm. I wanted to play soccer but in 1993, there was not a local girls’ team. I did not understand why I could not play so I tried out for the boys’ team. The coach told me that it would be unfair to take a spot away from a boy but if I proved worthy, he would give me a shot. Not only did I make a boy’s team, I made the "A" team and earned a starting position, but not without great expense. I had to constantly explain to my teammates and their parents, and opponents, and anyone else who was offended by the thought of a ponytail on the field why I deserved to be there. However, my biggest critic was my own father. He believed sports should be played within their own gender silos; it was sacrilege for a girl to play among boys. Here I was, his own flesh and blood, disrupting the peace. No matter how bad it got, my mom would still sneak me off to practice and I would continue to rush home after school everyday and train for hours on my own to make sure I maintained my spot on the starting squad. I was determined to be the dark horse. To my five-year-old self, I could not understand why it mattered that I was a girl on a boys’ team, especially if I had the skills to back it up. It made no difference to me so why should it to them? I realized at an early age that nobody – no matter gender, economic or social background – should be prevented from playing sport.
I went on to play collegiate soccer at Carnegie Mellon University (on the women’s team this time) and suffered a terrible concussion in practice at the end of my freshman year, adding another notch to a series of blows to the head. All it took was a carelessly thrown shoulder to my neck for me to lose consciousness and experience years of debilitating pain – physical, mental and emotional. The next thing I knew, I struggled with the simple things that I took for granted: I could not pronounce certain words or string together a sentence; I could not walk in a straight line or step up stairs; I could not sit in a room without being bothered by the subtleties of noise; I could not work on school assignments without falling asleep from mental exhaustion; I could not go for a run without blacking out. That is only part of the list of "No Can Dos." There were so many things my mind and body use to be able to do so effortlessly but could no longer. The moment I realized how bad my mental function was, was when my neurologist gave me a seemingly easy task: to name as many animals as I could in 60 seconds. Confidently, I started riddling off species. Little did I know that when the clock ran out, I had only four on the final list. To me, what sounded like dozens of animals was just a lack of short-term memory, and I had instead repeated dog, cat, elephant and lion over and over again. As I was faced with similar obstacles, I viewed each as opportunities – opportunities to improve my agility. I had to adapt and improve my side step. Ultimately, I had two choices: I could wallow in my own sadness and resort to never being “normal” again or I could pull myself up by my bootstraps and keep trying. I chose the latter and continue to claw my way up those walls. After two years of spending countless weeks at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) rehabilitation center where the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins and University of Pittsburgh athletes also frequent, I re-learned to walk and talk, adapted to sensory sensitivity, learned how to multitask and exercise without blacking out and eventually recovered from most of my incapacitating symptoms. It has been an ongoing process for continued growth but one day I am hoping for a total transformation. During this entire process, I had to hang up my boots. That meant I was stripped of my identity – an identity I had spent the past 20 years shaping. I was absolutely devastated. Who am I without wearing the uniform? It has always been about the name on the front of the jersey but now I had to consider what was next for the one on the back. After 20 years, I may not be an athlete in the conventional sense any more but I refuse to be pulled away from the game that made me. The concussion(s) forced me to put life into perspective. I grew even more determined to chisel out my new identity and still head towards goal but a different sense of the word. I want to establish myself in other aspects of sport; I want to be more than just an athlete but a champion for equality in sports. I am a spokesperson for Title IX, as I assisted with the ESPN 40th anniversary initiative, coach and mentor young players, advocate for a larger women’s sports presence in mainstream media, and work to sustain a professional women’s soccer league in the United States. Now, instead of tackling players, I tackle challenges and unique projects in the workforce. In a sense, I have not put a different name on the front of my jersey – I am playing for Equality. The team may change, whether it is for Women’s Rights or African American Rights, but the club is the same. We often define diversity by gender and race, and then potentially expand it into sexuality, but we often overlook disability. I, too, was naïve to my own disability. It is not as salient as others’ – those with visual reminders like prosthetics. To me, it is the invisible piece of my identity puzzle that nobody can ever understand but it is there and it can be crippling. But, enabling others to find their missing puzzle pieces has become something that I have become passionate about as a leader in sports. I had to find a new identity within sports without identifying solely as a former athlete. It was one of the most challenging experiences for me, as someone who had spent the majority of my life identifying with the mentality: I am competitive, highly motivated, hard-working and devoted. But I had to find a way to transfer those qualities into something productive while working with others towards a common goal. I am drawn to the camaraderie, passion and focus, and needed an outlet. I believe that others who have had similar experiences need to have support groups to know that all is not lost. I refuse to let my crucible moment define me but let my reaction to it instead. I can only hope the experience can transition me from that dark horse into a white stallion. With in the University of Central Florida DeVos Sport Business program, we had to interview ourselves so below are my answers... Sport goes beyond live games – with rise of social media comes increased engagement and access to non-casual fans through broader reach, all day every day. It has democratized sports commentary, meaning anyone from anywhere in the world can communicate, with executives, athletes or other fans and establish him/herself as an authority or subject matter expert. Everyone’s opinion is equally as important, limited only by the number of keystrokes. And in a time when everyone says our attention spans are short, 140 characters can say a lot. A well-crafted tweet can pack a powerful punch. A hastily posted Instagram is worth a thousand words. Gone are the days when social media was considered the lowest rung of content. Now, it reigns supreme. And why? Because one has ubiquitous access and instantaneous engagement.
As one of the first sports to revolutionize content, women's soccer utilized social media as its primary means of communication. More for necessity than innovation, the franchises Tweeted draft picks, game announcements and ticket promotions. It needed to get the word out, fast. And so women's soccer and its avid fans began to flock to Twitter to get the latest news. But with that, comes a tremendous responsibility of those in power to adapt, to reflect upon commentary and to react. At a time when women's soccer has massive potential to take off, it seems it is up to the key decision-makers with the vision and insight to leverage the possibilities for future growth. In years past, the decision-makers would be broadcasters, sponsors and owners. Now, in 2015, the consumers hold the power. Want women's sports to succeed? Buy tickets, merchandise and demand more. We live in a day-and-age where consumers dictate trends. NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush says he "plans to join Twitter soon to better connect with fans and stay current." Never before in history was it necessary for fans to have a say on the goings-on in a league. But now they dictate the future. Players even flock to the Internet to voice opinions, as was the case with Alex Morgan vocalizing her distain for the league hotel choices featuring bed bugs and mold. Years prior, it was Ella Masar explaining her magicJack experience. Players are not restrained but in fact liberated by social media. It enables them to speak freely and voice concerns and major issues. If players could leverage this platform to establish broader change and perhaps create a Players Union, then we would know the league is truly here for the long haul. The greatest opportunity for the NWSL is to listen to the players and their desires, because its future rests within their hands. No event more holistically demonstrates the emotional and social undercurrents of sport than the Olympics – from Olympism, the movement, the spirit to the competition. Not only does it pull at the heartstrings but also purse strings. With the glitz and glamour of hosting a large international sporting event comes massive expenditures. Not every city – or country for that matter – can afford the multi-million dollar venture, let alone wants to take on the tremendous responsibility. Despite touting positive economic impact and promising legacy programs (read: infusion of jobs and housing, revitalized parks and improved transport), hosting an Olympics can be a resource zap and a money pit (read: traffic flow, cost of venue and transportation). That’s why representatives from Boston 2024 and No Boston Olympics addressed the city’s major concerns in an unprecedented primetime debate on Fox25. In one corner stood Boston 2024 Chair Steve Pagliuca and U.S. Olympic Committee board member Daniel Doctoroff. In the other was co-chair of No Boston Olympics Chris Dempsey and “Circus Maximus: The Economic Gamble Behind Hosting the Olympics and the World Cup” author Andrew Zimbalist. Whether the debate seemed to reflect “hyperbole” or “drunken optimism,” here are the top five takeaways from the July 23 Olympic debate: Top 5 takeaways - Boston vs. No Boston Olympics 1. Transparency 2. Public support 3. Taxes 4. Budgeting 5. No clear winner Transparency Bostonians want transparency: where’s the money coming from and where’s it going? Who will cover the costs if expenditures go over budget? More information is always a good thing, and that's why Mayor Martin J. Walsh requested both sides disclose salaries and contributions to their campaigns. Boston 2024 shared all data but NBO refused, saying it was protecting its donors from retribution: “It’s important to protect the little guy,” said Dempsey. It also took the recent threat of a subpoena for the first version of the host city candidate bid, Bid 1.0, to be released to the general public, sans redactions (Pagliuca moved the date from early next week to July 24). He said the original delay was because “we want to put things out that are right, not just quick.” Both sides are guilty of withholding information but Boston 2024 is willing to forego confidentiality to give the people what they want, especially in its time of need. Public support The bid needs to get over 50 percent in Massachusetts “sooner rather than later,” said Doctoroff. Without public support, Boston 2024 will bow out. As it stands, Boston area support remained at 40 percent since last polling but did increase four percent since March. However, statewide support is currently at 42 percent, which is slightly up from 39 percent. That correlates with the unveiling of Bid 2.0 on June 29. It’s clear from this data that it’s going to be a marathon, not a sprint. The debate suggested the bid committee has a hard sell to prove itself to Massachusetts residents, and specifically to Boston taxpayers. Which is a good thing because it provided an opportunity to identify holes in its arguments and refine them for more fiscally responsible solutions in the future. That subsequently strengthens the case against other major cities like Paris, Rome or Hamburg also vying for 2024. Taxes Bostonians are wary of tax overruns and many believe hosting the Olympics can be a risky venture. In a recent WBUR poll, 75% expect taxpayer funds to foot the bill. And that’s a total game-changer for the community. Dempsey made that clear when he addressed Doctoroff: "You're going back to New York after these Games, and the people of Massachusetts are going to be paying for it." So that’s why Zimbalist and Dempsey adamantly want the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to reject the International Olympic Committee (IOC) financial guarantee that calls for the host city to backstop any budgetary shortfalls. The Olympic Ballot Coalition filed a petition to get a referendum, which would ban taxpayer spending, excluding transportation projects. “[Pagliuca] would love to do this with no tax breaks” but Boston 2024 can’t afford to not agree, as its major competitors will take on that added financial responsibility. But to combat that concern, Boston 2024 recently shared the biggest insurance plan in Olympic history. Its policies include $500 million to cover a loss of revenue associated with event cancellation due to major disaster and $350 million for decreased ticket sales if a major competitor drops out of the Games). It released its risk management plan on July 22. Budgeting Bostonians want to know: how much of the cost of the Olympics will actually go towards building city infrastructure versus funding the Games? With a $4.8 billion Olympic operating budget, including $775 million devoted to improving the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and local roadways, Boston 2024 positions itself as a significant catalyst in an 18-year economic development project. In addition, Boston 2024 recently updated its operating budget to project a $210 million surplus in private revenue from broadcasting fees, sponsorships, ticket sales and licensing. However, both sides made a case for the projected expenditure: Pagliuca said his numbers were “conservative” while Zimbalist called them “drunken optimism.” Bostonians want the guarantee that their money is going back into the city for the nine years leading up to it and the decades after, not just for the 17 days of competition. A major sticking point is traffic and how that will impact local businesses. Boston has always struggled with congested roadways and faced MBTA shut downs this past winter due to aging trains. But that doesn't mean taxpayers should resign themselves to such inconvenience. The Olympics can infuse the city with jobs, housing units and positive economic impact. But Boston 2024 pointed to the trends of previous Olympic Games in the United States, citing a surplus of profits: However, the flip side of that is that there is no formal inclusion of costs in the budget for schools, fire and police stations, or other necessities if the population flocks into the area. Boston 2024 will have to adjust its figures to account for those necessities.
No clear winner After the hour-long debate, there was no clear winner. But, it did provide both sides an opportunity to be more transparent about taxes and budgeting in an attempt to gain public support. But what was clear is that there’s a still a lot to be addressed – from the impending referendum to the next round of polling before the September deadline of USOC’s submission of a Candidate City to the IOC. Watch clips from the #OlympicsDebate. I remember it like it was yesterday. Donning red, white and blue face paint and in head-to-toe soccer kit, my 11-year-old self watched the U.S. play in the 1999 Women's World Cup opener from one of the last rows in Giants Stadium. Sixteen years later and still as enamored by the Beautiful Game, I cheered on that same team in the 2015 finale, but this time from the second row of BC Place. After attending both historic moments, and the World Champions ticker tape parade, I reminisced on the weeks since the team hoisted up that World Cup trophy to claim its unprecedented third star. "This is not a once every four years (or 16) phenomenon anymore," I thought. "It’s a revolution." So, what's changed? Top 5 reasons - 1999 vs. 2015 1) One player, one moment vs. one nation, one team 2) Team vs. individual promotions 3) Gender discrimination vs. discrimination of another kind 4) Inspiring girls vs. inspiring men, women, boys and girls 5) Fall vs. rise of professional league One player, one moment vs. one nation, one team In scorching 100-degree heat, 90,185 fans crowded inside the Rose Bowl, perched on the edge of their seats watching the heart-thumping drama. Any shot or miss could be the game-changer. Every moment of play mattered, all the way until the final whistle of double overtime. Then, there were the penalty kicks. As soon as Brandi Chastain's shot hit the back netting, without hesitation she whipped off her jersey and pumped her fists in elation. Her teammates piled on the love, and the biggest match in women's soccer quickly became a part of American history. Contrast that to this year's edition of the Women's World Cup: the United States scored four goals within the first 16 minutes (including a hat trick from Carli Lloyd, the eventual Golden Ball and Silver Boot winner). Not only were the fans stunned by the result, the players were as well. For the remaining 74 minutes, it just needed to keep its composure and the lead. It coasted to a 5-2 result. The wild excitement for everyone came much sooner than in 1999 so when the game was finally called it was a little anticlimactic. However, what makes 2015 unique is that three players got on the scoreboard and when the game ended, there wasn't just one player to rush. Touting "One Nation. One Team." as the official U.S. Soccer slogan, it quickly became evident that the women unified American soccer supporters. Team vs. individual promotions Back in 1999, most promotions consisted of the entire team (or groups of players), like a packaged deal. Headliner Mia Hamm made it a point to include her teammates and to promote the sport through mainstream channels. Contrast that to now when it's reported that Alex Morgan makes over $1 million in endorsements alone with companies like Coca-Cola, GNC, Nationwide Insurance and Mondelez (Chips-Ahoy, Ritz and Trident). It's not easy traveling 23-deep for every photo shoot or appearance, especially when the players come from 12 states and play for nine different clubs. This gives them an opportunity to expand their reach individually but also as a collective. The real reason for this change perhaps is that the team isn't trying to only push the wholesome girl-next door identity like it had before. That opens up the opportunity for these women to stay true to themselves with unique alliances. For instance, boutique lines Peau du Loup and Wild Fang dress several players in hip clothing and accessories. The diversity of player personalities can be leveraged for maximum reach. It’s especially important to continue this thrilling wave heading into next summer’s Olympic Games in Rio. Gender discrimination vs. discrimination of another kind
Gone are the days of "women can't play soccer" claims or "you play like a girl" as an intended dis. It was a societal message in 1999: yes women can. Now it’s a sports message: yes women can and we're damn good at it too. It’s no longer an issue of competition quality or fan interest; the conversation shifted from being women to being athletes. However, the 2015ers were faced with ironically progressive discrimination. The women played on artificial turf, dealt with mediocre referees and received lower prize money. Despite numerous appeals, FIFA utilized artificial turf for the first time in a major tournament – its only explanation was to provide “optimum playing comfort and maximum safety for the players.” But every single men’s tournament has been played on natural grass and so will the upcoming 2018 edition. Adequate training and frequent exposure to fast-paced, quality competition can elevate the experience level and accuracy of officiating.In an effort to empower, FIFA claims that women’s soccer is a cultural reflection so women should be refereeing women. Which is all well and good unless there’s a shortage of fair and experienced referees. Ever since the 1999 edition, all officials have been women for the women’s tournament but few have really stood out as high caliber decision-makers. Adequate training and frequent exposure to fast-paced, quality competition can elevate the accuracy of officiating. The argument that burgeoning women’s soccer programs can only grow through participation at the highest level suggests the same for refereeing. The United States women received $2 million in prize money. That’s $6 million less than the United States men got for dropping out in the Round of 16 (and they have never won a World Cup, let alone three). But, back in 1999, there was no such thing as prize money. FIFA didn’t even start distributing it to women until the 2007 edition. And the figure doubled from 2011 to 2015 too. It may be slow but it’s still progress, and discriminatory. Inspiring girls vs. inspiring men, women, boys and girls For the first time in 55 years, a woman was honored during a New York City ticker tape parade in Manhattan. Out of 205 total held by NYC, the most recent was the first to celebrate an all-female sports team, of 23 women. These women aren’t just heroines or pioneers, they are also champions, plain and simple. Society has now accepted them as athletes, rather than second-class citizen female athletes. Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed the crowd in front of City Hall at the conclusion of Canyon of Heroes: “You can see out there the love that the people of this city and the people of this country have for this team, and what they mean to all of us. You can see it in the faces of men and women, boys and girls. And it was just the purest deepest sense of admiration.” With 25.4 million viewers tuning into the 2015 finale, USA versus Japan become the most-watched soccer match – male or female – in U.S. history. It’s clear that de Blasio’s sentiment resonated with American sports fans and pulsated across the country: One nation, one team. Fall vs. rise of professional league Sixteen years ago, the national team players used their World Cup triumph to leverage a professional league. Due to high demand, the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) launched as the first women’s professional soccer league in the United States, in 2001. It only lasted three years. Now, we are in the third season of the WUSA's second successor, National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). But this time, U.S., Canada and Mexico soccer federations subsidize part of the operating costs. Now due to the World Cup buzz, NWSL clubs are selling out stadiums and getting airtime on Fox Sports and Time Warner. But, the league still has a long way to go to match its male counterpart Major League Soccer, who has enjoyed 21 years of existence with 10 successful expansion teams. That makes it hard to believe that in 1999, the women had the upper hand in the soccer market. So how will the powers that be leverage the recent progress for a sustainable solution? Check back in 16 years for a Top 5: 2015 vs. 2031. As I sit riverside in Canada, I wonder why life can't always be this gentle and calm. In stark contrast is the other 51 weeks of the year spent weaving through foot traffic at subway stations, adhering to strict deadlines and frazzled by slowpokes. I thrive off chaos but welcome the serenity when it comes. I love to go for long walks - partially because I'm nursing a foot injury and can't go for substantial runs anymore - but really because it allows for me to saunter. It reminds me of one day during my freshman fall at Carnegie Mellon. Professor Dr. Scott Sandage didn't show up for class but instead left some form of: "Class won't happen today. But, I ask that you use this time wisely and go saunter" on the blackboard. For this reason, "saunter" has become one of my favorite and most-used words. To saunter is to walk in a slow, relaxed manner without worry or effort. To Henry David Thoreau, it's much more complicated yet paradoxically simpler than that. To him, it's "the art of walking." The word saunterer can derive from "sainte-terrer," which means a holy leader (someone in search of the holy land) or perhaps, from "sans terre" which means without land or home. Both hit at the notion that those who understand the art of walking have no particular home because everywhere is equally hospitable. So back in Pittsburgh, during the next meeting, my classmates and I were asked what we learned during our sauntering sessions. Did we notice the bas-relief of Benjamin Franklin on the building we pass every single day? No. Did we hear the birds chirping when otherwise we would only notice students bustling on their way to class? Did we smell the fresh cut grass? Or run our fingers along the uneven surface of the bench that overlooks the tennis courts? Did we even use that time to saunter or did we just go back to the dorms to sleep? After reading Thoreau's "Walden Pond" and Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Self-Reliance," I became fascinated by their ever-present thoughtfulness and introspective nature. I began to make it a priority to view the world through their eyes and march to the beat of their drummer. When you stop for a moment, and truly take in your surroundings, you realize how much of life you're missing. It's a sad (initially) but then an uplifting realization. I often get so absorbed by my environment and trapped in my own head that I ignore the senses and what they are trying to tell me. Once you start to acknowledge their power and the influence they have on your life, it opens up so many more opportunities.
Not only can nature be reinvigorating, revitalizing, refreshing, it encourages self-analysis and provides opportunity to evaluate everything in life. When you take the time to take in your surroundings, time seems to slow. Your heart rate begins to drop. Your breathing gets deeper. Your thoughts become more insightful, more appreciative. I can only equate it to the instant gratification after long withdrawal, that sigh of relief, that shot of euphoria. A friend recently told me that the challenge is not in making a decision, but rather in making that decision actually be realized. How many times have we stood in the same place far too long, just hoping for a sign with a nod of approval to proceed in one direction or another? Far too frequently, unfortunately. And as the wise John Lennon preached, "Life is what happens when you are too busy making plans." It's in the planning that we somehow overlook the doing, the making, the seeing, the experiencing - the actual living. It's not the indecision in finding an optimal solution, regardless of whether it is ideal. It's more the fear of leaving the secure and the familiar for a land of unknowns.
We're primed at an early age to calculate, to know what we want to do the second we can string words together into a coherent sentence. But I always felt many of those who knew they "wanted" to be a lawyer, doctor, dentist, or something else that requires tremendous foresight at such a young age, were just prodded in that professional track because of prestige or tradition. Peer pressure can be a far more powerful and dangerous thing when the wrong motivations permeate thought processes. For the longest time, I thought I knew my dream job but it wasn't until I got to test drive it that I realized I needed to wake up. It was far from heaven. So far in fact that now I'm back to square one, ashamed to say I don't know what I want to do when I grow up. But after informational interviews with hundreds of people in various roles in various industries, I have come to terms with my ambiguity. Those most successful didn't have a plan logged step-by-step but instead let intuition and opportunity lead the way. It's not luck but strategic placement - and watchful eyes - that make the unforeseeable suddenly seem clear. They knew the bare minimum - they liked (fill in the blank with any topic), planning events, collaborating with others, telling stories, managing finances, discussing current events. But they didn't know then what that translated to in the professional / corporate world. I highly doubt anyone went to college for a history degree specializing in World War II warfare with the intent to program a TV guide for a major network. You could speak to a million people and get a million different perspectives. To every question asked, you would receive a million different answers. There's never one and only one correct answer. You could plug in all suggestions into an Excel formula and it'll spit out some statistical pattern but not a fail-proof solution. And that's daunting considering the sample size. Some people take the more obvious and methodical route while others carve out a more circuitous and chiefly unique path. The twists and turns may not seem direct but each curve provides an entirely new journey in which you learn from experiences. Those ultimately provide different interpretations and reactions that are specific to you and your needs. It's not a lack of focus, it's a general appreciation for learning and passion for growth. I far more respect those who know their power to be more than something previously defined. I want to do something that I know doesn't exist yet. Why wait for someone to leave before you can fill their shoes? You'll always be compared to the ones before you. You have different skills, experiences, backgrounds, contacts, approaches and opinions that allow you to bring something entirely new to the table. It's always refreshing to speak to people who value the present over the future. They would rather live paycheck-to-paycheck in order to really be rewarded in life altering interactions and memories - experiences that revolutionize how you view the world and invigorate you in such a way that you're motivated to change the world - someway, somehow. Those people are not afraid of uncertainty nor do they fear consequence. Maybe that's reckless or stupidly courageous, but I envy them for their strength to overcome what it is that often paralyzes others from moving forward, from tackling those goals that just seem so unrealistic, from acknowledging that failure often begets success. Nobody ever learned from doing it right the first time. Upsets make eventual triumphs so much sweeter. So without having taken the first drive, why assume you'll automatically drown? To live life upstream, you must keep swimming. And with that, I recently misused a metaphor for the sake of proving a different point - I feel like a sheep, albeit a black sheep, but a sheep nonetheless. I don't cause disgrace upon my family but rather reflect an unusual breed within a common species that sticks out for reasons beyond control, misunderstood by my peers but no way willing to be sheered of the qualities that define me.
The two teams are 32-8-14 to the Americans’ advantage, with 93 goals for & 35 goals against. Of the remaining in the tournament, FiveThirtyEight and ESPN Stats & Info gave China the worst odds to win it all (65/1) in comparison to the second-placed USA (2/1). The oddsmakers also believe China only has a 12% chance of defeating the Red, White and Blue in the knockout game.
The last time the two teams met was December 10, 2014 with 1-1 draw:
Remember the last time United States and China squared off in a Women’s World Cup match? As the most watched soccer moment in the States, the Americans took home the 1999 title, marking the last time they won the Cup. In the tournament’s history, the U.S. has never lost to China so the real question is, “Can the Americans continue the streak, when they take on the Steel Roses in the quarterfinals?
Highlights from the 1999 Women’s World Cup final
Midfielders Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday will miss the quarterfinals after yellow card accumulation in the 2-0 victory over Colombia. Despite the absences, United States has touted a deep bench which will be utilized. In the previous match, U.S. head coach Jill Ellis hinted that she would put Morgan Brian and Christen Press in the openings.
A natural fit to step in for Rapinoe would be Press, who scored the game winner against Australia in her World Cup debut. Effective as a midfielder and forward, the fast and versatile striker has the ability to finish when it matters. But there is more to Press that we have yet to see.
“I think that what [Jill Ellis] wants from me is for me to play at my 100%,” said Press. “I definitely think I’ve had good performances, and I’m proud of what I’ve done, but I haven’t hit my 100.” Primed to step into Holiday’s role, Brian has already proven her worth, completing 14 out of 16 passes in her 21 minutes against Colombia. Playing alongside Houston Dash teammate, Carli Lloyd, will be an added benefit too. “In our games, we’ve partnered [with certain players] specifically because we knew she wold be one of the players to come in,” said Ellis. “[Brian] is a tremendous ball distributor.” Both Brian and Press contribute significant attacking roles, and their presence comes at a time when the United States needs to get on the board, early and often, to ensure a place in the semifinals. Keep in mind, the United States has never failed to reach a semifinal. Even though none of the Chinese players on the current roster were present on that fateful day in Pasadena, Calif., there is still a lot riding on their backs too. It has been a long journey since, as they failed to qualify for the 2011 event in Germany and the 2012 London Olympics. The team has gone through 12 coaches since 2000. Their current coach, Hao Wei, was expelled as a result of play interference against New Zealand and missed the Round of 16 match as a result. He will be returning to the helm for the quarterfinal matchup.
Women's World Cup: USA survive a scare and defeat Australia in Group D opener at Winnipeg Stadium
Special to MLSSoccer.com
U.S. women's national team fans can breathe easy.
It wasn't their best game, but the US women still came away 3-1 winners on Monday against a dangerous Australia side thanks to two goals from Megan Rapinoe, one from Christen Press and some great goalkeeping from Hope Solo.
The game's first came from Rapinoe after just 12 minutes. The US midfielder confidently cranked a shot from outside the box, which deflected off a defender and into the goal.
Wide open in front of net, Australian forward Lisa De Vanna retaliated with a left-footed first-time redirect in the 27th minute after some nifty build-up.
The score held at 1-1 until Press tallied the game-winner for her first-ever Women's World Cup goal and her 21st tally in 46 matches. It was also the USA's 100th all-time World Cup goal.
STANDINGS: See how Group D looks after the first group matches Rapinoe sealed the deal in the 78th minute, but this time no deflection was necessary. It was a strike that clinched the win for the team and Player of the Match honors for her.
But it wasn't just about the goals scored for the USA. It's about the goals they denied. Goalkeeper Hope Solo, who was in the eye of a media maelstrom in recent days, played a major role in the victory. If it were not for Solo, the United States might have been down by two in the first half.
WATCH: Hope Solo's jaw-dropping first-half save With superior passing and an ability to create chances, the Matildas started the match hungry, but ultimately couldn't keep it up as fitness proved the difference maker. As the game progressed, Australia tired and lost momentum. But, the Americans, ever-known for their tremendous fitness and superior athleticism, finished strong. That doesn't mean the Australians took it well:
The USWNT were comfortable enough during the second-half proceedings that coach Jill Ellis decided to bring on star forward Alex Morgan, whose last game came on April 4 against New Zealand due to a bone bruise in her knee. Morgan replaced Sydney Leroux with the USA managing a two-goal cushion at 3-1 in minute 79. After eight weeks off the pitch, Morgan will surely need plenty more minutes to be a pivotal player later in the tournament. But the debate still rages on about whether the opener was the right match to reintroduce her again.
Group of Death? More like Group of Drama! The scoreline may not have reflected just how well Australia played, but the final result places the United States atop Group D with three points.
Monday's other group match featured a 3-3 thriller between Nigeria and Sweden which showcased many of their respective strengths and weaknesses ahead of their encounters with the USA, giving Ellis & Co. plenty to chew on in the coming days. The USWNT next play Sweden on June 12 and then close out Group D play against Nigeria on June 16. And the support is expected to continue to be overwhelming from around the country. Here's how the nation experienced the game, according to Twitter:
And the US supporters in Winnipeg weren't too shabby themselves:
Among the USWNT fans seen on social media were artists like Paula Abdul as well as a host of NFL and NHL teams. But arguably the cutest supporter of the lot was seen with former United States powerhouse, and FIFA Female Player of the Century, Michelle Akers.
Group D has affectionately been dubbed the Group of Death since three of the four nations made FIFA's Top 10 rankings (No. 2 USA, No. 5 Sweden, No. 10 Australia, and Nigeria comes in at No. 33). Here are the five things you need to know before the opening whistle:
1) Dating back to 1987, USA has had the severe upper-hand against Australia, winning 22 matches and tying two. The Red, White and Blue have accrued 83 goals against the Aussies, over four times the goals against. However, the Matildas have had a steady climb since the first Women's World Cup in 1991 (did not qualify) but competed in the next three before exiting group competition for the first time in 2007. They also made it to the quarterfinals in 2011.
Known for its relentless play, Australia may not pose too much of a threat to the scoreline but will certainly challenge the United States to stay on task. Australia will put up a massive fight and make the USA work for its W. If either team takes a loss, it will be a huge setback for the remaining games, as neither want to vie for the wildcard "best third placed teams" position (four out of six advance to Round of 16). Keep an eye out for Australia captain -- and FIFA Puskas Award 2013 nominee -- Lisa De Vanna, a strong-willed and aggressive forward who will be earning her 100th cap on game day.
2) The last time the two nations met was back in 2013 when the United States defeated Australia with a definitive 4-0 victory.
3) The biggest question mark of the match -- will Alex Morgan be ready to play? When asked if Morgan was fully training with the team on Saturday, U.S. Soccer spokesperson said "Not to my knowledge." But Morgan herself put those rumors to rest.
So, will she get much playing time on Monday? The line between cautious and injured remains blurred. Head coach Jill Ellis will not put Morgan into a position where she will not thrive 100 percent, which leaves her to only step onto the field if absolutely necessary and then, only for enough minutes just to get her rhythm back. 4) In the team's mind there are six more games to go and a deep and versatile bench to experiment with along the way. To the United States, it is not a matter of "will they win?" but "how will they do it?" If USA can hold off the Matildas all 90, prevent further injury and remain focused, the team will be well on its way to living through the Group of Death. As much as USWNT say they focus on one game at a time, they are looking ahead at Sweden, who poses the biggest threat in the early stages. 5) Of the 47 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) players to compete in the Women's World Cup, four come from Australia: Steph Catley (Portland Thorns), Caitlin Foord and Samantha Kerr (Sky Blue FC) and Katrina Gorry (FC Kansas City). Overall though, the two NWSL teams who share ownership with Major League Soccer's Portland Timbers and Houston Dynamo boast 8 and 6 players, respectively. Allysha Chapman, Erin McLeod and Lauren Sesselmann (Canada), and Morgan Brian, Meghan Klingenberg and Carli Lloyd (USA) represent the Dash. In addition to Catley, Kayln Kyle, Christine Sinclair and Rhian Wilkinson (Canada), Jodie Taylor (England), Nadine Angerer (Germany) and Tobin Heath and Alex Morgan (USA) represent the Thorns.
Monday could not come soon enough as the United States kicks off its Women's World Cup group play against Australia at Winnipeg Stadium (7:30pm ET on FOX Sports 1, NBC Universo).
Follow official hashtag #USAvAUS to stay up-to-date on game commentary as it happens.
Canada Use Stoppage-Time Penalty Kick To Beat China In 2015 Inaugural Match
Special to MLSSoccer.com It was mission accomplished for the Canada women's national team after securing a 1-0 win over China in the opening match of the 2015 Women's World Cup on Saturday at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium. In front of 53,058 people – the largest crowd for any Canadian national team match in Canada – striker Christine Sinclair proved to be the difference maker. The captain put the game away in the 91st minute with a well-placed penalty kick, joining an elite group in the process.
WAS IT A PENALTY KICK?
There was some debate whether Canada received a hometown call with the late stoppage time penalty kick. Here's the foul that led to the penalty:
Canada coach John Herdman himself admitted "that's your home-field advantage," when discussing the penalty kick. He also said that "when the call came, I celebrated like we'd just scored."
STANDINGS: See how Group A looks after the first group matches The fans at Commonwealth Stadium could not care any less judging by their reaction when the ball hit the back of the net:
Sinclair and her teammates celebrated the win like the monumental win that it was -- a group match at the biggest tournament for women's soccer in their own backyard. The three points will take some pressure off.
OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN
As hosts, Canada really needed the "W." But China were organized, they remained disciplined and they bunkered down in the defense, proving to be impenetrable. As China dominated the flow and interrupted Canada's rhythm, the play was frantic in the first half. A collective gasp from those in attendance came in the 23rd minute after China's Lisi Wang struck a free kick which dramatically bounced off both posts and then went out of play (WATCH THE CRAZY PLAY HERE). But Herdman saw his side play with a lot more composure and they wound up outshooting their opponents 14-5. But Canada could not find the back of the net until the controversial PK. BLATTER'S MESSAGE An hour before the opener, none other than the biggest name from this past week's news cycle -- FIFA President Sepp Blatter -- wished the 24 nations good luck. And he shared some nifty facts about the tournament:
NEXT MATCHES Canada is back in Group A action against New Zealand on Thursday, June 11, while China take on the Netherlands earlier that same day.
It only got worse as the game progressed since FIFA's gamecast used male pronouns -- "him" instead of "her" -- during the play-by-play.
Artificial turf stole the Saturday's commentary. According to an on-field thermometer, it came in at 120-degrees which was about 45-degrees hotter than the atmospheric temperature. The Twitterverse blew up about gender inequality and FIFA's lack of respect for the women's game. As the tournament progresses, the heat can prove to be a massive game-changer.
Special to MLSSoccer.com
Women's World Cup 2015 opens play Saturday, June 6 -- with host Canada versus former powerhouse China as the opening match (6pm ET, FOX Sports 1 and Telemundo in USA and CTV in Canada). These are the five things you need to know before kickoff: 1) The two have played 26 times since 1987 for an overall 14-5-7 record in favor of the Chinese. However, the teams have only played head-to-head three times since coaches John Herdman (Canada) and Hao Wei (China) have taken their posts. During these matches Canada won by one goal each: 1-0 in 2012 and 2013, and 2-1 in most recently. Canada vs. China | Women's World Cup Match Preview
As hard as it is to believe that it has been sixteen years since the USA won, it is equally as hard to believe that China fell from grace. The country hosted the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991 and again in 2007 after pushing the responsibilities back from 2003 due to a SARS outbreak.
The last time the two met, at BaoAn Cup CFA Women's International Football tournament Shenzhen 2015 (also known as the Four Nations), Christine Sinclair scored back-to-back goals in under two minutes to overcome the team's 31st minute deficit and put the game away. For the first time in history, Canada went on to win the entire tournament, resulting in a total ego booster for the Big Red. However, the infrequency of recent play makes Saturday's opener a tad bit unpredictable. 2) Despite previous results, do not rule out China. They use to be a super power -- remember when they faced the United States in the final back in 1999? China also took home silver at the first ever Olympic women's soccer competition in 1996. However, the team did not even qualify for the last tournament in 2011. Long surpassed by another Asian power - reigning WWC champion Japan, China has a chip on its shoulder. But then again so does Canada who has long been in the shadow of its Southern neighbor. 3) In years past, China has been known for its precision and Canada for its physicality. Because the teams will be playing different styles from one another, it will be imperative to adapt quickly while remaining focused to their own game plans. They are both known for playing quality to be dependent on their opponents' level. The two nations have a recent common competitor, No. 6-ranked England -- Canada won 1-0 and China lost 2-1. 4) China has proven be a very secretive team. There are not many reports on its recent performances, which leads some to think they may have a few tricks up their sleeves or at least that is what they want us to think. Due to its inexperienced and fairly untested squad, it will most likely not continue deep into the tournament but it could place second in the group just for trying hard. Its primary purpose this year is to be a disruptor more than a contender. However, Canada really needs this win. 5) China has a lot at stake but Canada has even more. As host, they have a massive home field advantage. Canada will be riding an adrenaline rush after the Opening Ceremonies as the host of the tournament and in front of a sea of red, for the Red Nation not the Steel Roses.
Come game time there will be no more niceties -- who will handle the pressure best?
Women's World Cup: Everything you need to know about the Canada women's national team
SPECIAL TO MLSSOCCER.COM From coast to coast, Canada Soccer - and its biggest names - welcomes the world to the biggest tournament in women's soccer.
But it would not be a proper celebration if there was no Opening Ceremonies to kick off the games on June 6 in Edmonton. Canada brought in homegrown talent: Vancouverite Sarah McLachlan and Alberta twins Tegan & Sara to unite and empower women. Grammy winner McLachlan will play "In Your Shoes" inspired by the story of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani schoolgirl who defended her right to an education and survived gun wounds suffered from the Taliban. On a lighter note, you may remember the sisters performed the Academy Award nominated The LEGO Movie's "Everything is Awesome!!!" with The Lonely Island. The inspirational lyrics: "Everything is cool when you're part of a team. Everything is awesome when we're living our dream" certainly resonate with the 24 nations competing in front of 45,000 cheering fans. In just one month, only one will win the most coveted gold trophy, an Oscar, erm, the Women's World Cup. ROAD TO THE FINAL “Big Red” automatically qualified as the host nation for 2015, but they're regulars, making it to every Women's World Cup since 1995 (they did not qualify in 1991). Their best result came in 2003, when they finished in fourth place. And that was also the only time Canada have ever made it out of the group stage at a World Cup. In the last edition in 2011, they finished dead last in their group with only one goal. The 2011 disappointment prompted the hiring of John Herdman as coach in late 2011 and the Englishman has completely transformed the Canadian women's team. With the help of assistant coach and ex-USWNT boss Tom Sermanni, Herdman has injected new spirit into the group which resulted in a bronze-medal finish at the 2012 London Olympics and hero status back home in Canada. Canada's run in that Olympic tournament fell just short in a memorable semifinal that USWNT fans will never forget. The two nations clashed in an epic match that featured a Christine Sinclair hat trick and a late Alex Morgan goal in extratime to clinch a 4-3 US win at Old Trafford. Ranked No. 8 in the world heading into the 2015 tournament, Herdman’s team has something to prove. The recently released documentary "RISE" captures Canada's emergence as a dark-horse contender in 2015. THE TEAM Herdman's squad is a mix of youth and experience, including three players under the age of 20 and nine in their 30s. Known for their physically dominant and aggressive style, the Canadians can throw possession and rhythm-oriented teams off their game. They don't have a deep bench, which means a lot will rest on the shoulders of these players: One of Canada’s most famous athletes, and the country's darling, Sinclair was the flag bearer in the 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony and even found herself on a commemorative stamp. Back in 2013, she and US forward Abby Wambach battled head-to-head in pursuit of Mia Hamm's 158 goal-scoring record. Sinclair, with 223 appearances, finds herself in second place all-time among active players with 153 goals, trailing Abby Wambach by 25. Making her fourth World Cup appearance, Sinclair is the heart and soul of the team: the captain and powerful, tenacious goalscorer who gets the job done when it matters most. Sophie Schmidt, MF – Led the team in goals last year after transitioning into a more attacking-midfielder role. She not only serves well, she can finish, too. Check out her game-winning goal from the send-off match against No.6-ranked England. Melissa Tancredi, FW – A fierce striker who loves to get stuck in, she will be a key target for her team (and Schmidt's passes) in the final third. Kadeisha Buchanan, DF – At only 19, Buchanan will be making her first Women's World Cup appearance. The West Virginia University product may be young, but you would never know it based on her composure at center back. Erin McLeod, GK – Although Canada has three goalkeepers all vying for minutes and all capable of holding down the posts, McCleod has earned the starting spot for now. She has competed in three WWCs and started in two. As the longest serving player in Canadian soccer history, goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc will retire after the tournament. The player known as "KK" made her international debut in 1998 and has earned 110 caps for the senior team. Canada will compete in Group A with matches against China on June 6 (6 pm ET on CTV), New Zealand on June 11 (9 pm ET on CTV) and Netherlands on June 15 (7:30 pm ET on CTV). MLS CONNECTIONS There are a few players from the Portland Thorns and Houston Dash on the World Cup roster, namely Kaylyn Kyle, Sinclair and Rhian Wilkinson (Portland) along with Erin McCleod, Allysha Chapman and Lauren Sesselmann (Houston). The six are important members of the multi-talented Canadian team. Here's proof below in the form of an emotional rendition of Celine Dion's "The Power of Love". With optimism around the team at an all-time high, the host cities are getting behind the Canadian women: Edmonton is ready! This is the giant mural that awaits #canWNT when they arrive at the airport pic.twitter.com/gGI0OR24Zh — Sheri Forde (@SheriTSN) June 3, 2015 That's a sample of the kind hearts and friendly nature that Canadians are renowned for around the world. And the national team is no exception. Just this week the CanWNT welcomed their opening match foes on their arrival to the Twitterverse like only Canadians could: Welcome aboard @CFA! We’ll see you on the pitch Saturday! #GameOn @FIFAWWC #Canada2015 — Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) June 3, 2015 For more of those good vibes, here are the hashtags and handles you need to follow the CanWNT on Twitter during this World Cup: #CanadaRED, #canWNT, #Canada2015, @CanadaSoccerEN and @CanadaSoccerFR in French. We've arrived Edmonton!!!! pic.twitter.com/HxJv24kSsB — Kaylyn Kyle (@KaylynKyle) June 3, 2015 Women's World Cup: How to watch and follow the 2015 tournament
SPECIAL TO MLSSOCCER.COM Fox Sports Network plans to provide the most comprehensive multiplatform coverage of the Women's World Cup. It will televise all 52 matches between June 6 and July 5 between its three main channels. Never before has a broadcast network aired 16 World Cup matches - male or female - but FOX made the unprecedented commitment to do so. Of the 16, five will be in prime time and include one semifinal, the third place match and the final. FOX Sports 1 will show 29 matches while FOX Sports 2 will carry the remaining seven. There will be over 200 hours of Women's World Cup coverage this summer, averaging six to seven hours of content a day over the course of the tournament. Every match will be available digitally on FOX Sports GO app and online at www.FOXSportsGo.com. With a robust WWC social media lineup, any avid fan can stay on top of the latest news. Follow Canada at @CanadaSoccerEN, USA at @ussoccer_wnt and the official tournament at @FIFAWWC. Get involved in global conversations with several hashtags - #FIFAWWC and #WWC2015. FIFA has encouraged women and girls to achieve their goals through #LiveYourDreams while USWNT has run a similar campaign with #SheBelieves. Both have extensive social media presence with interaction from the teams and players. To see how people are watching and following the tournament around the world, check out #myFIFAWWC. For the first time at a FIFA competition, LED advertising boards will broadcast those messages in-stadium. The goal is to make the world a little bit smaller through a Global Stadium. Dedicated supporters group, the American Outlaws will travel to cheer on the USA for at least the group matches with Australia, Sweden and Nigeria. Their goal is to unite and strengthen the United States fan base through meetups the night before the match, pregame preparation and wild support during the full 90. Women's World Cup 2015 has Fan Zones in all six host cities: Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton. The largest of them, Vancouver invested $1.2 million into 2.7 acres for the celebration. It will include two large screens, concessions, live music and entertainment, sports demonstrations, and pavilions for the tournament sponsors and FIFA. All are open to the public and have designated days of events but limited capacity. Stateside, several MLS teams will host watch parties including Sporting KC at Sporting Park and Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium. As the tournament nears, more venues and cities will organize watch parties. |
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