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! 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. Other women’s teams were formed as a result of the Dick, Kerr Ladies’ success and games were organized – 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! 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! 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. 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) 1930’s - Women’s Leagues existed in Europe (England, Italy, France) 1950’s ’s - a). International competitions began b). Norway, Germany, Sweden getting involved c). Italy formed National Women’s Association

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Craig Club Girl’s Soccer League, 4 teams, lasted 2 seasons (Father Craig of St. Matthews Parish, North St. Louis) 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 informal European Championship 1957 – Germany organized 1 st informal European Championship 1960’s – Several European National & Regional federations formed, as well as several national leagues 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 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 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 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 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 1982 – NCAA took over as national sponsor of women’s sports – growth of youth participants: 900K to 3 million - growth of girl’s participation: 10% to 50% – growth of college programs: 77/598 to 790/ growth of women’s programs: 13% to 52%

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Currently (2000 – 2007) 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 – Collection of unknown players (Enos, Boyer, Orrison, Bender, Wyant, Akers- Stahl); little practice; limited equipment; primitive travel conditions – trip to Italy…4 games…lost to Denmark, England and Italy…drew with Denmark in a re-match – 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 – Anson Dorrance appointed coach; professional coaching regimen; added quality players (Akers-Stahl, Heinrichs, Belkin); record – more players added (Fawcett, Lilly, Hamm, Jennings); record – more players added (Fawcett, Lilly, Hamm, Jennings); record

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer US National Team 1988 – more players added (Foudy, Higgins) 1988 – more players added (Foudy, Higgins) – tough time for women’s national team; little practice time; lack of consistent quality competition – 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 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 – USA wins the WWC; Norway is second; Sweden third; Germany fourth – Norway wins the WWC; Germany is second; USA third; China 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 – 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 – USA wins the Olympics, defeating China – USA wins the WWC; China is second; Brazil third; Norway fourth – USA wins the WWC; China is second; Brazil third; Norway fourth – Norway wins the Olympics, defeating USA – 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 – Germany wins the WWC; Sweden is second; USA third; Canada fourth – USA wins the Olympics defeating Brazil – USA wins the Olympics defeating Brazil – Germany wins the WWC; Brazil is second; USA third; Norway fourth 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 Levels of Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Today Youth Youth School School Amateur (USASA) Amateur (USASA) USL (W-League) USL (W-League) WUSA WUSA US Soccer (National Team Program) US Soccer (National Team Program)

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Youth Youth Recreation (U4 - adult) Recreation (U4 - adult) Travel (U9 – adult) Travel (U9 – adult) Premier (U11 – adult) Premier (U11 – adult) State ODP (U13 – U19) State ODP (U13 – U19) Regional ODP (U14 – U19) Regional ODP (U14 – U19)

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer School School Middle school Middle school High school High school Jr. College/Community College Jr. College/Community College College/University College/University

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Amateur (United States Adult Soccer Association) Amateur (United States Adult Soccer Association) Competitions for players U-20 through Over-50 Competitions for players U-20 through Over-50 Local Local State State Regional Regional National National

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer USL (formerly known as the USISL) – 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 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 2003 – suspended operations after the season was completed; large financial losses

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer WUSA (Women’s United Soccer Association) Atlanta BeatPhiladelphia Charge Boston BreakersSan Diego Spirit Carolina CourageSan Jose CyberRays New York PowerWashington Freedom

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer US Soccer (National Team Program) U-21 NT U-21 NT U20 NT U20 NT U17 NT U17 NT U16 NT U16 NT U15 Developmental Team 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