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(We all miss sport. Any new sports at this point, as evidenced by record TV ratings for the recent NFL Draft and current ten-part Michael Jordan documentary. Here’s an event we covered last summer, but are posting it up for the first time – enjoy and here’s hoping things get back to some kind of safe normal soon!)
Fresh from winning their record fourth World Cup by shutting out Netherlands 2-0 in July, the greatest team in U.S. soccer, The Women’s National Team embarked on their Victory Tour, stopping at Allianz Field in St. Paul in early September for a match against Portugal.
The match was an instant sellout of all 19,600 tickets, leaving many left wanting, but the team graciously opened their practice session held the day before, for free on a first-come/first-serve basis.
This actually ended up being the best way for fans to see most of their favorite players, as seven members of the World Cup-winning team, ended up sitting out the next night’s match for various reasons (injuries, etc), though many still attended/participated in the practice and could be seen much closer up and casual, versus during a normal match.
Outside, the blocked-off plaza in front of the stadium featured interactive exhibits, sponsor tents, former player appearances, and a live DJ. Inside, the main bar and several food stands were open but unfortunately due to high winds, the set of World Cup trophies brought along for public display, weren’t able to be accessed.
The players jogged onto the field for their hour-long practice to a standing ovation of applause and cheers, along the one side that was open for public seating and proceeded with a regimen that started with simple stretching and ball handling, to half-pitch short practice games, ending with a jog around the field to a roaring crowd and a short presentation to end.
At the actual match the following evening, the US Women dominated Portugal, easily winning 3-0, with Carli Lloyd scoring the first two US goals (her 20th career multi-goal game) in this third match of the tour. Lindsey Horan scored the team’s final goal (with the US dominating shots on goal 21-1) giving USWNT coach Jill Ellis (who would depart after the tour in October) a tying mark for all-time wins in the program’s history.
The current health crisis canceled early spring 2020 matches against Australia and Brazil and of course, delayed the upcoming Summer Olympic Games until next year, but the players also continue to fight to narrow the pay disparity between they and their male counterparts.
A collective bargaining agreement was reached in April 2017 getting things closer towards their goal of equal pay and a gender discrimination lawsuit has also been filed, alleging in addition to pay, their playing, training, and travel conditions are also compromised.
Striker Alex Morgan just gave birth to a baby girl and defender Becky Sauerbrunn has been selected as the first president of the United States Women's National Team Players Association so many players are making the most of their forced quarantine, until play can safely resume.
U.S. Womens National Soccer Team at Allianz Field, St Paul (Sept 2019) |
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