Girl’s/Women’s Soccer in the USA

Presented by Tom Goodman, M.Ed.

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

 1917 – Dick, Kerr Factory in Preston, England…company men’s team was not doing well…women bragged that they could play the game better…men’s team challenged the women to a match…score was never posted, but it was the beginning of English Women’s soccer!

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

 Other women’s teams were formed as a result of the Dick, Kerr Ladies’ success and games were organized.

 1920 – Game between Dick, Kerr Ladies and St. Helen’s ladies was played on Boxing Day at Goodison Park in Liverpool. 53,000 fans watched the game!

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

 1921…the FA banned women from playing soccer on its grounds for 50 years, seeing it as a threat to the professional men’s game!

 This action crippled the women’s game in England and in other countries as well.

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

 1930’s - Women’s Leagues existed in Europe (England, Italy, France) 

1950’s -

a). International competitions began b). Norway, Germany, Sweden getting involved c). Italy formed National Women’s Association

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

 1951 - Craig Club Girl’s Soccer League, 4 teams, lasted 2 seasons (Father Craig of St. Matthews Parish, North St. Louis)  1957 – Germany organized 1 st Championship informal European  1960’s – Several European National & Regional federations formed, as well as several national leagues  1970’s – Start of the girl’s/women’s game in the USA

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

 1970’s – girl’s recreational soccer, high school soccer and college soccer began to grow  1972 – Title IX legislation mandated gender equity in education; mandated equal access and equal spending on athletic programs at colleges  1981 – Almost 100 NCAA women’s varsity programs; even more club programs

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

 1982 – NCAA took over as national sponsor of women’s sports 

1980-2000

– growth of youth participants: 900K to 3 million - growth of girl’s participation: 10% to 50% 

1980-2000

– growth of college programs: 77/598 to 790/1509 - growth of women’s programs: 13% to 52%

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

 Currently (2000 – 2007) – growth of youth participants: 3 million to 3.5 million - girl’s participation: approximately 50%

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

US National Team • 1985 – Collection of unknown players (Enos, Boyer, Orrison, Bender, Wyant,

Akers-Stahl

little practice; limited equipment; primitive travel conditions.

); • 1985 – trip to Italy…4 games…lost to Denmark, England and Italy…drew with Denmark in a re-match.

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

US National Team • 1986 – Anson Dorrance appointed coach; professional coaching regimen; added quality players (Akers-Stahl, Heinrichs, Belkin); record 5-2.

• 1987 – more players added (Fawcett, Lilly, Hamm, Jennings); record 6-1-4.

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

US National Team • 1988 – more players added (Foudy, Higgins) • 1988-1989 – tough time for women’s national team; little practice time; lack of consistent quality competition • 1989 – FIFA establishes the Women’s World Championship, soon to be called the Women’s World Cup (WWC), the 1 st to be held in 1991 in China

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

US National Team World Cup & Olympic History • 1991 – USA wins the WWC; Norway is second; Sweden third; Germany fourth. • 1995 – Norway wins the WWC; Germany is second; USA third; China fourth • 1999 – USA wins the WWC; China is second; Brazil third; Norway fourth.

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

US National Team World Cup & Olympic History • 1996 – USA wins the Olympics, defeating China 2-1 • 1999 – USA wins the WWC; China is second; Brazil third; Norway fourth. • 2000 – Norway wins the Olympics, defeating USA 3-2

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

US National Team World Cup & Olympic History • 2003 – Germany wins the WWC; Sweden is second; USA third; Canada fourth. • 2004 – USA wins the Olympics defeating Brazil 2-1 • 2007 – Germany wins the WWC; Brazil is second; USA third; Norway fourth

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

 Levels of Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Today       Youth School Amateur (USASA) USL (W-League) WUSA US Soccer (National Team Program)

 Youth

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

     Recreation (U4 - adult) Travel (U9 – adult) Premier (U11 – adult) State ODP (U13 – U19) Regional ODP (U14 – U19)

 School

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

    Middle school High school Jr. College/Community College College/University

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

 Amateur (United States Adult Soccer Association)  Competitions for players U-20 through Over-50  Local   State Regional  National

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

USL (formerly known as the USISL) 1993-1994 – W-League (National Amateur Women’s League) was established 1994 – W-League played brief exhibition schedule 1995 – W-league is for real with 19 teams playing nationwide Today – W-League consists of 34 teams playing nationwide

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

WUSA (Women’s United Soccer Association)  2001 – Spring debut; exciting time for women’s soccer; international and US national players were teammates; small stadiums; attendance averaged at about 8,000; 8 teams  2003 – suspended operations after the season was completed; large financial losses

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

WUSA (Women’s United Soccer Association) Atlanta Beat Philadelphia Charge Boston Breakers San Diego Spirit Carolina Courage New York Power San Jose CyberRays Washington Freedom

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

US Soccer (National Team Program)  U-21 NT  U20 NT  U17 NT  U16 NT  U15 Developmental Team

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

Thank you for your attention… Enjoy the Seminar!

References:

Dave Litterer; USA Soccer History Archives Tom Goodman; On The Job Experience