A Space for Soccer

The Women’s World Cup ended last weekend with the USA beating Norway. It was such a fun time! I loved watching the athleticism, team work, and confident presence of women from all over the world as they converged on France for the competition.

I particularly loved watching Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe. They both scored six goals over the course of the tournament. Megan in particular caught my attention, not because of her refusal to kneel during the National Anthem, or her words with Trump, but because of her age. Her presence on the field is a force! She’s a fierce competitor at the ripe old age of 34.

In fact, team USA was the oldest team in the competition, with an average age of 29. I love women who push the boundaries and prove that age is no limit!

The other thing that struck me these past few weeks as I’ve watched various games and read commentary about the teams and players is how much work we still have to do when it comes to women and gender.

I don’t know why I was shocked when team USA was labeled arrogant or when people got snarky, criticizing them for winning 13 to 0 against Thailand (the biggest defeat in World Cup history, by the way).

Really? They scored too many points?

I’ve been racking my brain to find any equivalent in the men’s soccer world. And I’m having a hard time imagining anyone criticizing Lionel Messi for such an accomplishment.

Women are still not equal. And this World Cup proves that. I’m not even talking about equal pay (that’s for another post)! No, today I’m focusing on our fundamental beliefs about women and power.

We are still uncomfortable with strong and articulate women.

Team USA was confident and excited about their performance, as they should be! When men exude such presence, we see that as confidence, but women? Women? Women can’t do that! They are being arrogant.

Sigh…

Team USA, you are a force to be reckoned with it! Thank you for showing us a good time. And thank you for showing us all, young and old alike, what real confidence looks like. We obviously need more of that!

I for one am ready to not be labeled with a negative expletive just because I am a strong, articulate, and confident woman.

Such a thing should be celebrated, not berated!

Ready to make a change?

Call to Action: What is one negative belief that you hold about women? How can you challenge and replace it with something positive?