The women have led the way. Again.
First it was Friday afternoon, when players from the United States Women’s National Soccer Team played against France in the 2019 Women’s World Cup quarterfinal.
The U.S. ultimately confidently defeated the host nation, 2-1, in an ultimately thrilling end to the game.
Two days later the United States Men’s Soccer Team, playing in a separate soccer tournament—the Gold Cup—did what they needed to do to get past tiny island nation of Curacao, 1-0. Their victory allowed them to advance to their own semi-final Wednesday.
On Tuesday, close to two dozen people gathered at Thr3e Punk Ales on Third Avenue to watch the U.S. Women play in their semi-final match against England—two days before July 4, the day Yanks mark as the anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence from England.
Big week for Team USA.
On Wednesday evening the men have an opportunity to book passage to their competition’s championship game, provided they get past Jamaica. (This column is being written before the game takes place).
If the men make it they, too, will be playing on Sunday. That game will be in the evening, hours after the U.S. women have played and perhaps taken yet another World Cup title. And that, right there, is where the men and women stop being equal and the ladies leap forward.
The United States women have been crowned world champions since the female version of the World Cup was introduced in the 90s.
Since the men’s tournament was first played way back in 1930, the United States men have won the quadrennial tournament zero times.
None.
Nada.
0.
Yes, comparing the men’s and women’s game is unfair, given that historically men have played the game at a professional and international level longer than women and the women’s game is still developing its walking muscles in some countries.
International futbol is one of the areas in which this country lags behind others (education, medical care, personal happiness being some of the others) and the United States men’s program is an Old Maid player at a table of poker champions. But, as those who follow sports will tell you, you can only play the opponent in front of you.
So, comparing the U.S. Women’s soccer record to the men’s soccer record, while it may not be fair, does tell us with certainty one thing: The women are leading.
But to futbol fans living in National City and Chula Vista, where both mayors are women, watching ladies who lead is nothing new.
