Girl’s/Women’s Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Soccer

in the USAin the USAPresented byPresented by

Tom Goodman, M.Ed.Tom Goodman, M.Ed.

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

19171917 – Dick, Kerr Factory in Preston, – Dick, Kerr Factory in Preston, England…company men’s team was England…company men’s team was not doing well…women bragged that not doing well…women bragged that they could play the game better…they could play the game better…men’s team challenged the women men’s team challenged the women to a match…score was never posted, to a match…score was never posted, but it was the beginning of English but it was the beginning of English Women’s soccer!Women’s soccer!

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

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

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

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

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

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

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

1930’s1930’s - Women’s Leagues existed - Women’s Leagues existed in Europe (England, Italy, France)in Europe (England, Italy, France)

1950’s1950’s - - a). International competitions a). International competitions

beganbeganb). Norway, Germany, b). Norway, Germany,

Sweden getting Sweden getting involved involvedc). Italy formed National c). Italy formed National

Women’s Women’s Association Association

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

19511951 - Craig Club Girl’s Soccer League, 4 teams, - Craig Club Girl’s Soccer League, 4 teams, lasted 2 seasons lasted 2 seasons (Father Craig of St. Matthews (Father Craig of St. Matthews Parish, North St. Louis)Parish, North St. Louis)

19571957 – Germany organized 1 – Germany organized 1stst informal European informal European ChampionshipChampionship

1960’s1960’s – Several European National & Regional – Several European National & Regional federations formed, as well as several national federations formed, as well as several national leagues leagues

1970’s1970’s – Start of the girl’s/women’s game in the – Start of the girl’s/women’s game in the USAUSA

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

1970’s1970’s – girl’s recreational soccer, high school – girl’s recreational soccer, high school soccer and college soccer began to growsoccer and college soccer began to grow

19721972 – Title IX legislation mandated gender – Title IX legislation mandated gender equity in education; mandated equal access equity in education; mandated equal access and equal spending on athletic programs at and equal spending on athletic programs at colleges colleges

19811981 – Almost 100 NCAA women’s varsity – Almost 100 NCAA women’s varsity programs; even more club programsprograms; even more club programs

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

19821982 – NCAA took over as national sponsor of – NCAA took over as national sponsor of women’s sportswomen’s sports

1980-20001980-2000 – – growth of youth participants: 900K to 3 milliongrowth of youth participants: 900K to 3 million- growth of girl’s participation: 10% to 50%- growth of girl’s participation: 10% to 50%

1980-20001980-2000 – – growth of college programs: 77/598 to 790/1509growth of college programs: 77/598 to 790/1509- growth of women’s programs: 13% to 52%- growth of women’s programs: 13% to 52%

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

CurrentlyCurrently (2000 – 2007) (2000 – 2007)

– – growth of youth participants: 3 million to growth of youth participants: 3 million to 3.5 million3.5 million

- girl’s participation: approximately 50%- girl’s participation: approximately 50%

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

US National TeamUS National Team

• 1985 – Collection of unknown players 1985 – Collection of unknown players (Enos, Boyer, Orrison, Bender, Wyant, (Enos, Boyer, Orrison, Bender, Wyant, Akers-StahlAkers-Stahl); little practice; limited ); little practice; limited equipment; primitive travel conditions.equipment; primitive travel conditions.

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

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

US National TeamUS National Team

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

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

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

US National TeamUS National Team

• 1988 – more players added (Foudy, 1988 – more players added (Foudy, Higgins)Higgins)

• 1988-1989 – tough time for women’s 1988-1989 – tough time for women’s national team; little practice time; lack of national team; little practice time; lack of consistent quality competitionconsistent quality competition

• 1989 – FIFA establishes the Women’s 1989 – FIFA establishes the Women’s World Championship, soon to be called World Championship, soon to be called the Women’s World Cup (WWC), the 1the Women’s World Cup (WWC), the 1stst to to be held in 1991 in China be held in 1991 in China

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

US National Team World Cup & US National Team World Cup & Olympic HistoryOlympic History

• 19911991 – USA wins the WWC; Norway is – USA wins the WWC; Norway is second; Sweden third; Germany fourth. second; Sweden third; Germany fourth.

• 19951995 – Norway wins the WWC; Germany – Norway wins the WWC; Germany is second; USA third; China fourthis second; USA third; China fourth

• 19991999 – USA wins the WWC; China is – USA wins the WWC; China is second; Brazil third; Norway fourth. second; Brazil third; Norway fourth.

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

US National Team World Cup & US National Team World Cup & Olympic HistoryOlympic History

• 19961996 – USA wins the Olympics, defeating – USA wins the Olympics, defeating China China 2-12-1

• 19991999 – USA wins the WWC; China is second; – USA wins the WWC; China is second; Brazil third; Norway fourth. Brazil third; Norway fourth.

• 20002000 – Norway wins the Olympics, defeating – Norway wins the Olympics, defeating USA 3-2USA 3-2

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

US National Team World Cup & Olympic US National Team World Cup & Olympic HistoryHistory

• 20032003 – Germany wins the WWC; Sweden is – Germany wins the WWC; Sweden is second; USA third; Canada fourth. second; USA third; Canada fourth.

• 20042004 – USA wins the Olympics defeating Brazil – USA wins the Olympics defeating Brazil 2-12-1

• 20072007 – Germany wins the WWC; Brazil is – Germany wins the WWC; Brazil is second; USA third; Norway fourthsecond; USA third; Norway fourth

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

Levels of Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Levels of Girl’s/Women’s Soccer TodayToday

Youth Youth School School Amateur (USASA)Amateur (USASA) USL (W-League)USL (W-League) WUSAWUSA US Soccer (National Team Program)US Soccer (National Team Program)

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

YouthYouth

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 Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

SchoolSchool

Middle schoolMiddle school High schoolHigh school Jr. College/Community College Jr. College/Community College College/UniversityCollege/University

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

Amateur (United States Adult Soccer Amateur (United States Adult Soccer Association)Association)

Competitions for players U-20 through Over-50Competitions for players U-20 through Over-50

LocalLocalStateStateRegionalRegionalNational National

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

USL (formerly known as the USISL) USL (formerly known as the USISL)

1993-19941993-1994 – W-League (National Amateur Women’s – W-League (National Amateur Women’s League) was establishedLeague) was established

19941994 – W-League played brief exhibition schedule – W-League played brief exhibition schedule

19951995 – W-league is for real with 19 teams playing – W-league is for real with 19 teams playing nationwidenationwide

TodayToday – W-League consists of 34 teams playing – W-League consists of 34 teams playing nationwidenationwide

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

WUSA (Women’s United Soccer WUSA (Women’s United Soccer Association)Association)

2001 – Spring debut; exciting time for 2001 – Spring debut; exciting time for women’s soccer; international and US women’s soccer; international and US national players were teammates; small national players were teammates; small stadiums; attendance averaged at about stadiums; attendance averaged at about 8,000; 8 teams 8,000; 8 teams

2003 – suspended operations after the 2003 – suspended operations after the season was completed; large financial losses season was completed; large financial losses

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

WUSA (Women’s United Soccer WUSA (Women’s United Soccer Association)Association)

Atlanta BeatAtlanta Beat Philadelphia ChargePhiladelphia Charge

Boston BreakersBoston Breakers San Diego SpiritSan Diego Spirit

Carolina CourageCarolina Courage San Jose CyberRaysSan Jose CyberRays

New York PowerNew York Power Washington Washington FreedomFreedom

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

US Soccer (National Team Program)US Soccer (National Team Program)

U-21 NTU-21 NTU20 NTU20 NTU17 NTU17 NTU16 NTU16 NTU15 Developmental TeamU15 Developmental Team

Girl’s/Women’s Soccer Girl’s/Women’s Soccer

Thank you for your attention…Thank you for your attention…

Enjoy the Seminar!Enjoy the Seminar!

References:References:

Dave LittererDave Litterer; USA Soccer History Archives ; USA Soccer History Archives

Tom GoodmanTom Goodman; On The Job Experience; On The Job Experience