As we approach the anniversary of the USWNT’s historic journey through France to capture their 4th World Cup, I can’t help but think back to one of the most euphoric moments leading up to the tournament, which ultimately foreshadowed what was to come.
I’m talking about the USWNT vs. Mexico send-off match, the final game the national team would play on home soil before heading across the Atlantic.
It was ridiculously hot at Red Bull Arena. I showed up two hours before kickoff and was greeted with packed parking lots and a nice long walk to the stadium. It was at that very moment, as I strolled past one of the most decorated tailgate scenes I had ever seen, that I knew we were all about to witness history.
26,322 fans came to this World Cup Send-Off to shower this team with love and support in their last hurrah stateside.
The game itself was over before it even began. With the crowd rocking out, Tobin Heath got the party started in the 11th minute. What ensued afterward was just sheer dominance. Mallory Pugh chipped in a goal at the 76th minute and Christen Press added the cherry on top in the 88th. Mexico didn’t even get a shot on goal and was outshot 25–3 when it was all over.
At the time, it was just pure bliss to be in this team’s presence. Everyone in that arena and watching from home knew that this squad was special… they just had no idea what would be in store over the next few weeks as they continued their dominance en route to their 4th star.
If you’ve taken the time to read this essay and look through these pics, be sure to catch most of these incredible athletes, as well as the dozens of other amazing footballers in the NWSL, as they take part in the 2020 Challenge Cup beginning this weekend.
Details on how to watch: CBS All Access
In a little over a week, the NWSL will be the first US professional sports league to return to action during the Challenge Cup in Utah. The 25 game tournament will feature the league’s brightest stars from all 9 teams and will be available to stream on CBS All Access.
A picture-perfect opportunity to showcase the league’s incredible roster of talent on the biggest stage with the brightest lights… but with one enormous part missing.
The fans.
Inclusion and interactiveness have always been at the forefront of the NWSL’s mission to provide a world-class soccer experience for its fans, but the unprecedented situation at hand calls for some pretty strict measures to ensure a safe return for the sport.
So when you tune in to catch these historic matches, it may seem like the aura and atmosphere of these games is starkly different without the tailgates, chants, and post-game selfies. But even if the seats are empty at Zions Bank Stadium when games kick-off, don’t second guess that the game’s most loyal followers won’t be there to support their favorite teams. They’ll be there like they always are, except this time around you can find them all virtually in their respective seats of the Twitter-sphere.
Grab your popcorn, jump into the replies, and get ready to cheer on some of the greatest footballers on the planet.
Soccer is back.
9,415.
On August 18th, 2019, Sky Blue FC hosted Reign FC in what will go down in history as the first of many home games at their new stadium, Red Bull Arena. A record-shattering crowd packed the stands on this summer afternoon, and their presence during pre-game made it feel like a win far before the first whistle was even blown.
A team that spent 90% of their previous home games at a field that didn’t have showers, held only around 5000 people, and lacked any connection to public transportation, was finally playing in a stadium that could offer the world-class soccer experience that they very much deserved.
The match was tight. A playoff-intensity vibe of 9000+ screaming fans carried throughout the entire duration of play. And in the 36th minute, all that raw emotion erupted when rookie Kenie Wright put a perfectly placed ball into the box for Elizabeth Eddy, who finished with a clever touch over the outstretched reach of opposing goalie, Casey Murphy.
This goal was much more than just a number on a scoreboard. It was the start of a new era, a sign that the future of this team was changing for the better. And despite Reign FC’s quick response — a goal punched in by Jodie Taylor just 2 minutes later — in the grand scheme of things, it didn’t matter. The game ended in a 1–1 draw, but the fact that this game was even played is a win for the future of the sport.
Sky Blue’s new stadium is a monumental step in the right direction — one that should have come much earlier. However, things are finally trending upwards for this club. And when the 2020 NWSL season resumes, they will finally have a place to call home.
Editor’s note: this is part of an ongoing series of photo essays by photographer Jesse Louie. You can read his introductory note here.
It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a year since the US women’s national team went on their historic run to secure their 4th World Cup Championship. This group of tea-sipping trailblazers captivated an entire nation, match after match, with their sheer brilliance on and off the field.
And so, when they returned home in the days after accomplishing their ultimate goal, it was only fitting to welcome them back in a lavish and luxurious style.
Royalty deserves a proper ceremony, and New York City was ready to celebrate with their queens.
A sea of confetti cascaded down from the sky, blanketing Broadway like a snowy blizzard in the middle of summer. Tens of thousands of people sandwiched between sidewalks and barricades packed the streets for hours, just to be in the presence of greatness.
As the floats made their way down the Canyon Of Heroes parade route — the same route reserved for soldiers, politicians, astronauts, and local sports franchises — fans of all ages waved their flags, stomped their feet, and blared out chants of “USA!” and “Equal Pay!”
This team’s ability to unite and inspire people to keep fighting is the very reason why so many people showed up on that Wednesday morning. I was one of them. And as I stood on the corner enjoying every second of it, it was apparent that this parade wasn’t celebrating a specific ‘moment,’ but a united and ongoing national movement.
Editor’s note: this is part of an ongoing series of photo essays by photographer Jesse Louie. You can read his introductory note here.
I was in Harrison, NJ, on March 8, 2020, for the U.S. women’s national team’s 2nd stop during the #SheBelieves Cup.
The weather was picture-perfect. A sold-out crowd of 26,500 packed the Red Bull Arena stands and ushered in chants of U-S-A at every opportunistic moment to celebrate the incredible women who occupied the field. Oh yeah, and it also just happened to be #InternationalWomensDay.
On paper, it could not have been scripted any better.
But there was something different about this game. In the days leading up, the growing concerns over the spread of COVID-19 were quickly becoming a harsh reality. Questions about player safety were top of mind during Coach Vlatko Andonovski’s press conference the day before kickoff, players were advised to elbow and fist-bump instead of shake hands, a short video was presented to remind fans how to best prevent the spread of disease, and fans were notified that players would not be available for pictures and autographs post-game.
And while the impact of COVID-19 was felt in-arena, the USWNT did their best to do what they’ve always done… cancel out the noise and put on a show.
The game kicked off and started what would be a back-and-forth battle between USA and Spain. 85+ nail-biting minutes and the scoreboard flashing zeroes had fans on the edge of their seats.
And then it happened. The ‘Hollywood ending’ of all endings.
A perfectly served cross off of a Christen Press free kick connected with Julie Ertz’s head, sending the ball rocketing into the back of the net in the 87th minute.
*chef’s kiss*
Sports often offer a sense of release. An escape from whatever tumultuous reality that players, coaches, and fans are currently facing. As I sit here with sports currently on hiatus, it’s never been more clear that the sense of unity that the U.S women’s national team conveys was even more present on that night.
Taking a page out of their book, I hope that these images and words can offer you a few minutes of relief while you’re safely doing your part during this pandemic. Nobody knows when sports will resume or when this team will take the field again, but rest assured that this same energy from this specific night in March will be back and better than ever when they do.
Sofia Huerta plays as a midfielder for OL Reign. She previously played for the Chicago Red Stars and the Houston Dash, and has suited up for both the U.S. national team and Mexico’s national team. Below, she takes us through her favorite pairs of kicks.
CHANEL SNEAKER
I love these shoes because I felt like I worked really hard for them. I searched so many different stores for them and I finally found them after months. I was on a mission. Plus they are a perfect shoe to either dress up or dress down in.
ADIDAS X PHARRELL X HUMAN MADE SOLAR HU
Editor’s note: this is the first in what will be an ongoing series of photo essays focused on the USWNT and the NWSL from photographer Jesse Louie.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then this will be the longest essay I’ve ever written… and I’m technically a writer at my current job.
I’m Jesse Louie — an extremely normal and occasionally funny guy from Central Jersey (Yes, it does exist). Aside from writing terrible memes for Fortune 500 companies as a Senior Copywriter at an ad agency, I also happen to be an avid fan of women’s soccer and routinely stand on the sidelines with my camera in hand.
This post is the first in a series of photo essays I’ll be sharing with the Just Women’s Sports crowd, and I promise that the rest will focus on the incredibly talented women who compete at the highest level and not the ordinary creative who is lucky enough to spectate from the field.
Just Women’s Sports exists solely because these women, the ones whom I’ve witnessed and photographed, and the millions of others who participate and compete in sports around the globe are criminally underrepresented when it comes to mainstream media. Only 4% of sports coverage is dedicated to telling the stories of these women and by joining this team, I’m hoping to do my part to help fix that.
Here’s a little preview of what you can expect:
