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The Unwritten Story of Women's Soccer:

The Struggles and Triumphs of Female Players.

By AeriousPublished about a year ago 5 min read
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Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva

In General

Women's soccer has come a long way since its inception in the late 1800s. Despite the growing popularity of the sport, female players have faced numerous struggles over the years. From discrimination and inequality to a lack of resources and support, women's soccer players have had to fight tooth and nail to earn the respect and recognition they deserve. Yet, despite all these challenges, female soccer players have emerged as some of the most talented and inspirational athletes of our time. In this article, we'll explore the untold story of women's soccer and the struggles and triumphs of its female players.

Short History

The history of women's soccer can be traced back to the late 1800s when women began playing the sport in England. However, it wasn't until the 1960s that women's soccer started to gain traction in the United States. The first women's soccer team in the US was formed in 1966, but it wasn't until the 1990s that the sport gained widespread popularity thanks to the success of the US women's national team. Since then, the sport has continued to grow in popularity around the world.

Despite the growing popularity of women's soccer, female players have faced numerous struggles over the years. One of the biggest challenges has been discrimination and inequality. Women's soccer has often been viewed as inferior to men's soccer, and female players have been paid significantly less than their male counterparts. In 2019, the US women's national team filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation, claiming that they were paid less than the men's team despite achieving more success on the field. The lawsuit sparked a national conversation about gender inequality in sports and raised awareness about the struggles that female soccer players face.

Some of the key struggles that female football players face now and in the past include:

Unequal pay and lack of support:

Female football players have historically received significantly less pay and support than their male counterparts, even when they perform at the same level or higher. This can make it difficult for female players to pursue football as a career.

Harassment and discrimination:

Female football players may face harassment and discrimination from coaches, teammates, and other players. This can take many forms, including sexual harassment, verbal abuse, and exclusion from team activities.

Lack of representation and visibility:

Female football players have historically received less media coverage and recognition than male players, which can contribute to a lack of visibility and representation for female teams and players. This can also make it difficult for female players to secure sponsorship and other opportunities for career advancement.

Gender-based violence:

Female football players may also face gender-based violence, including sexual abuse and assault, both on and off the field. This can be particularly challenging for female players who are seeking to build careers in a male-dominated sport.

Lack of resources:

Many women's soccer teams don't have access to the same resources as men's teams, such as quality training facilities, coaching staff, and funding. This lack of support can make it difficult for female players to reach their full potential and compete at the highest level.

Despite these challenges, female soccer players have emerged as some of the most talented and inspirational athletes of our time.

Hall of Fame

Female soccer legends like Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, and Marta Vieira da Silva have inspired generations of young girls to pursue their dreams and strive for greatness on and off the field. These women have not only achieved incredible success on the soccer field but have also become advocates for gender equality and social justice.

Mia Hamm

Widely regarded as one of the greatest female soccer players of all time, played for the US women's national team from 1987 to 2004. During her career, she won two World Cup championships and two Olympic gold medals. She also set numerous records, including the all-time leading scorer for both men and women in international soccer. Hamm's success on the field helped to raise the profile of women's soccer and inspire young girls around the world to pursue their dreams.

Abby Wambach

Soccer legend played for the US women's national team from 2001 to 2015. During her career, she won two Olympic gold medals and one World Cup championship. Wambach was known for her incredible scoring ability, and she holds the record for the most goals scored by any player in international soccer, male or female. Off the field, Wambach has become a vocal advocate for gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights.

Marta Vieira da Silva

Commonly known as simply "Marta", is a Brazilian soccer player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest female soccer players of all time. Marta has played for both the Brazilian national team and numerous club teams around the world. During her career, she has won multiple FIFA World Player of the Year awards, and she is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Women's World Cup. Marta's success on the field has not only inspired young girls in Brazil but also around the world. She has used her platform to advocate for gender equality and to raise awareness about social issues.

These female soccer legends are just a few examples of the incredible talent and resilience of female soccer players. They have overcome discrimination, inequality, and lack of support to achieve incredible success on the soccer field. But their success is not just measured in trophies and records. These women have become role models and inspirations for young girls around the world who dream of playing soccer and pursuing their passions.

Despite the progress that has been made, women's soccer still has a long way to go before achieving true equality and recognition. Female players still face challenges such as unequal pay, lack of resources and support, and discrimination. However, with the growing popularity of the sport and the continued success of female soccer players, there is hope for a brighter future.

Final words

The story of women's soccer is one of struggle and triumph. Their stories are a testament to the talent and resilience of female soccer players and an inspiration for young girls around the world who dream of playing soccer and achieving greatness. As we continue to celebrate the successes of female soccer players and advocate for their rights, we can help to ensure that the untold story of women's soccer becomes one of triumph and equality for all.

The End

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Aerious

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