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 EMAIL WOMENSOC@aol.com | |
| COMMENTARY by Roger Le Grove Rogers | ||
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EMAIL WOMENSOC@aol.com | |
| COMMENTARY by Roger Le Grove Rogers | ||
More Evidence of the World Wide Interest in Women's Soccer
As most of our readers know, we began Women's Soccer World as an internet magazine in January 1995, and we maintain it as a daily news source in conjunction with the printed version. While reviewing the web statistics for 1997 we were delighted to find additional proof of the popularity of the women's game.We found that the WSW web site was accessed more than1.5 million times last year, but were most excited to realize that these "hits" came from 65 different countries around the world. Mail from over 30 nations is received on a regular basis and our printed magazine goes to 28 of those countries but we had under estimated the extent of the interest in women's soccer. WSW pleased to find that fans of women's soccer from countries such as Bahrain, the Ivory Coast and Slovenia are staying up to date on the game's developments through the WSW internet edition.
During conversations at the 1998 Atlanta Super Show in February the mood of the soccer community in the United States indicated that the prevailing reaction to the upcoming Women's World Cup is tremendously positive and that there may be no need to downsize any of the World Cup stadiums used in 1999. Meanwhile, the 1998 Winter Olympics in Japan offered further proof that women's sports are the greatest growth event of the millennium. All these factors reinforce the anticipation that Women's World Cup '99 will indeed be the "breakthrough" event for women's sports which has been predicted by the organizing committee.
March 4, 1998
Turmoil In Africa's WWCup'99 Qualifying Program?
In our September/October edition of Women's Soccer World magazine, we had commented on the apparent lack of direction for the women's game on the continent in spite of their representation (Ismail Bhamjee of Botswana)on FIFA's women's committee. Soon after our comment a schedule was produced and WSW published it in the next edition, although we were somewhat skeptical about some of the teams listed. For example we noticed that Botswana had no National team yet Congo R.D. Was listed.CAF has informed the countries involved that the schedule announced has been changed and that instead of all games being played on a home and away basis, the seven teams remaining after the first round will play with Nigeria (who had been given a bye through the first rounds) in a tournament to be held in Nigeria. No dates or other information have been released at this time.
In another surprise move Morocco (current Arab Champions) will be included in the final tournament in Nigeria without playing in the first round. The top two teams will qualify for a World Cup '99 place.
WSW asked Fran Hilton-Smith, the Technical Director of Women's Soccer for South Africa, for her thoughts about this change. She said "It is qualifying more difficult for us as it is always a big incentive to have your fans with you. We will not see many travelling to Nigeria because air fares are so expensive. We will try and play many friendlies against the countries we could meet in Nigeria, we cannot take a chance of waiting to meet them there. We must test our strength against them in advance and make adjustments accordingly".
South Africa's National Team is scheduled to play Arsenal in England next Wednesday (our sources there told us that the English FA felt that they were not strong enough to play the National Team). They will also play Morocco in a game scheduled because they were not previously in the qualification tournament
International Women's Tournament Guangzhou '98, China
Our Swedish correspondent Thorsten Frennstedt of Nya Mal magazine, who travelled with the Swedish National Team, and myself were the only non-Chinese reporters covering the Tournament and we were treated to further proof that the quality of women's international continues to improve to levels unthought of five years ago. It was the third time for both of us to be back in Guangzhou (previously 1988 and 1991) and the growth of the game was equalled only by the amazing building growth in the city itself.All of the teams involved have added varying numbers of new players into their teams over the past few months, and so this tournament was used as a testing ground for new players. China had made the most changes in their national squad. After their success in the Asian Cup they dropped some of the experienced members, and in the month previous to the tournament added ten new players. Five of the team had their international soccer baptism during this tournament and overall the Chinese team was fast and skilful. Inexperience cost them the game against Norway after dominating most of the play. They must still be considered as the second seed team in the world.
Sweden appeared disorganized in all their games, only showing brief glimpses of their usual style occasionally such as part of the second half against Norway. In their first game they had only arrived two days previously and were certainly jet lagged but their performance in this tournament must certainly raise questions about the player selection and training back in Sweden.
This tournament again raised questions about the direction of the Norwegian program. They looked slow, unimaginative and somewhat aged physically and mentally; maybe they were also jet lagged.
The USA team had much to be pleased about in their performance. They moved up a notch in their quality of touch and possession play. Their domination of Norway was emphasised in the second half of the game when they gave a skilled clinic in holding and keeping the ball, the likes of which has rarely been seen in any games against the Norwegians in the last ten years. The other encouraging sign was the performance by the young players substituted into the matches, and no apparent drop in quality of performance resulted.
In particular the promised international performance of Cindy Parlow came into full fruition during this tournament, and Laurie Fair substituted with confidence and skill.
THOUGHTS ABOUT OUR FIFTH CHINA TRIP
The upcoming trip will be the first time the National Team has returned to China since winning the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1991. For several of the players and myself this will be our third visit to Guangzhou and our fifth trip to China. Who could ever forget standing in the middle of Tinahe Stadium on that last visit clutching our FIFA Championship Gold medals with fireworks exploding above and around us?The National Team visited China four times between 1987 and 1991 and our working relationship with their women's program during those years had started with our previous meeting with Mr. Han Chongde and the Chinese National Team at an international tournament in Jesolo, Italy in 1986. It was indicative of the continuing supportive relationships between national teams, and is one of the reasons why the women's game has progressed so rapidly around the world. Rivals on the field but all willing to share information and methods in a joint effort to secure the advance of the women's game, so that fans will be able to see soccer played as it should be with skill, passion, athleticism, understanding, thought, beauty and always excitement.
Women's Soccer World will be covering the tournament and I look forward to meeting with our friends from not only China, but also Sweden and Norway.
Women's World Cup '99 We present an exclusive report of the World Cup Committee Press Conference in New York, and will feature a complete summary in our next printed WSW (Sept/Oct).
We heard last week that Kit Simeone, Director of Operations for the U.S. Youth Soccer Association will likely be named to the Organizing Committee as the liaison person to connect with the U.S.Y.S.A.
Nordic Cup '97
The Nordic Cup brings special challenges to the U.S. Team as it does to all teams outside of Europe. It is difficult to prepare for such events without having the opportunity to view their make up , style, new players etc. It is also physically gruelling with many games in a short time span.
USA had mixed results in the past having won once and been second another year, but part of the value of this tournament is being able to give young players this experience. This U.S. Team has several players with National Team and Olympic playing time, and their performance in friendly games this year bodes well for Denmark.
UPSET IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS -- NORWAY OUT
Italy upset Norway 2-0 on Sunday thus knocking them out of the semi-finals of the championship, a place they have occupied for many years. It raises many questions about Norway's program. Almost alone amongst the top 20 teams in the world they have not changed their game but have clung to a style they play to perfection. As other teams have improved their technical game and changed their tactical approach the level of the game has improved to a point of levelling the competition. Last year Norway was only able to manage third place in the Olympics and had a lot of trouble handling the Brazilian team. Norway's superior physical size and strength proved to be their saving grace in the semi-final game.Italy and France seemed to have been helped by their recent games against the U.S.team. Our correspondents at the championship told us that both teams performed well and looked more organized that before.
WSW asked several Norwegian and Swedish soccer commentators at the beginning of this year if they felt that the Norwegian National Team would attempt to change its game in order to stay competitive. They all said that this was unlikely since it would be difficult to change because all Norwegians, male and female, learnt this "defensive long ball style" from the age of 5.
It will be interesting to see how Norway handles this latest set back, and what direction this world class team of skillful, motivated athletes will take.
NO WOMEN REFEREES IN CONNECTICUT?
USA v Canada Game
Watching the game I was struck by the absence of women referees, in contrast to most of the Victory Tour games. It seems that whenever the women's international games are occasionally televised live it would behoove the referee associations to appoint women referees. The men referees already have plenty of television exposure in such male referee bastions as the MLS.
Seeing Hamm being roughed up in the first half reminded me of watching Maradona undergoing similar treatment in a World Cup game against Italy some years ago, and I noticed that the first half debacle led the television commentator to wonder why talented basketball players such as Michael Jordan are given so much more protection than that shown by soccer referees to similarly talented women soccer players.
One has to feel sorry for the Canadian team who showed quite a lot of talent but live in a country that gives virtually no support to women's soccer, and not much more to the men's game. No team can improve with such a lack of competition (5 games last year?) and apparent lack of directional organization and financial support by the Canadian Soccer Association. Maybe the "English disease" is there as well.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR A PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE
Before and after the U.S. National Team games against France in Greensboro, North Carolina and Tampa, Florida I heard a lot of talk about the upcoming proposed National Soccer Alliance professional league.
As is often the case, when certain segments of the soccer world feel that their own particular self interests are threatened, a politically induced campaign to slow down or even negate the NSA's plan seems to be afoot. I was told by people living in different parts of the country that they had heard rumblings about how "perhaps it was too early" from some who had been previously been supporters of the NSA.
No doubt we will again hear from men like Francisco Marcos, President of USISL ( an oxymoron?), who is quick to point out that "he does not believe that any women's professional team sport can succeed in the USA in the next three years." (NSCAA Convention Nashville, January 1997); along with others who are always trying to compare the women's game with the men's game in the U.S. There is really no comparison. Their overall level is far ahead of the men's game, and we are talking large numbers. They have many more players who can and do compete on an equal basis in the top clubs of Europe then the men.
It was obvious when watching the U.S. National team play last week that if these players are going to retain and improve their game a high level league is needed now.
An important point that has not been fully discussed is what is the exact role of the U.S. Soccer Federation's Women's Professional League Development Committee in reviewing applications? Can any one tell me who was on the U.S. Soccer Federation's Men's Professional League Development Committee when reviewing the MLS application?
It would seem that the one item that they should not be reviewing and discussing is whether this is the right time for a professional league. Surely, in the true American tradition of not telling people what they can do with their hard earned cash, that is a decision that rests solely with those willing to invest their time and money.
It is depressing to note that the Old Boys' Club is still working in women's soccer, and even more that it exists at Stanford. Stanford Athletic Director Dr. Ted Leland just happened to hire Bobby Clark, whom he had hired as the men's coach in 1985 when Leland was the AD at Dartmouth, as the director of soccer at Stanford. Then surprise! Clark happens to hire Steve Swanson his women's coach and assistant athletic director at Dartmouth for the four seasons before he left for New Zealand.The women's team problems surfaced in 1992 so why doesn't Stanford have a female coach now? There are many women in this country with better qualifications than those quoted for the Dartmouth troika. Stanford used to be known as a leader in sports and academics in this country. Is this the Dartmouth influence or just the typical male athletic director problem we see so often? Is it because they can't handle coaches who may know more than they do, or do they feel particularly threatened by competent females? An article by Dave Payne in the October 28th. Edition of Soccer America suggests that nepotism is also alive and well at Stanford, at least in Clarks mind, practice and plans.
Perhaps the shocker of the year is the news from Europe published here last week, ie. the demise of the England team in the European Championship preliminaries. For the first time England is out of competition, and for the first time ever Spain is in. It fits in well with my discussion of the "English problem" appearing in the first printed edition (December) of WSW.
We are also happy to be able to tell the hundreds of fans who have sent us letters asking about U.S. Olympic Team posters that U.S. Soccer now has them available (click here for more information).
The tapes are well made and action filled but the overwhelming impression left is that they are great recruiting material. They are great for showing your players the level that women's soccer has reached. They are marvelous for motivating young girls and women in the sport, and would be useful for pre-game team sessions at all ages because they do demonstrate the focus and intensity of some of the world's top level players. The game footage is exciting, emotional and fun. The background commentary reminds us just how trite and tedious soccer coverage is in this country. We have developed world class soccer teams in the USA but unfortunately we are still an underdeveloped country in soccer commentary (and perhaps referees).
These are not tapes that will be of much use for training, except for helping players realize that there are higher levels than many of them realize and that they can achieve those levels with hard work and dedication. But for all of those thousands of young girls and women who send us such wonderful letters this tape has so many of their role models and idols in action.
In this edition of WSW you will find some features that although not directly related to the upcoming Olympics will help give a more complete picture of women's soccer. Two of our features will be published in sections because of their length. One is an honest account of some of the observations of an international player (Carrie Seawetnyk of the Canadian Women's National Team), and the other( from Jorges Antonio Morais Silveira) is an interesting report from Brazil (home of Dr.Havelange,the President of FIFA) about the lack of support there for the women's game.
You will also find an article about Mia Hamm of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Soccer Team. We receive more mail and requests for information about her than any other player and some of that is included in our article.
One of the most encouraging and positive aspects of the women's game in the USA has been the many well written and interesting letters sent to us by young women from 10 years old and up. They are a credit to themselves and their families, and their attitudes are wonderfully mirrored by the actions of their role models- the members of the U.S. National Team whose patient understanding and courteous relationship with their fans has demonstrated again their status as top class women an athletes.
We have received no further news yet about any changes in televising the Olympic Women's soccer games (possibly on another network?) but we will keep you informed and publish the schedule if that happens.
WSW plans to publish detailed reports of the Olympic Women's Games within hours of their completion, as we did at the FIFA Women's World Championship in Sweden last year.
This year I have attended and reported on most of the U.S. Team pre-Olympic games around the country and been impressed with the tremendous support given to the teams.Thirty minutes before kick-off time at the Japan v USA game on Thursday, May 16th. at Horsham High School field in Pennsylvania, on a cold and rainy night there was not a parking space or seat left vacant. The place was packed with children and parents eager to see an international women's soccer game, and in spite of the weather they cheered and applauded the game and players in such a knowledgeable fashion that one had to feel that soccer has really arrived to stay in the USA. As in the other States where the women's pre-olympic games have taken place they remained after the game chanting the names of their favorite players as they waited for an autograph and perhaps even an actual word or two with their particular role model.
None of this is reported because except for a few reporters with an understanding of the game , such as John Hayden (Washington Times, Ben Smith lll of the Atlanta Journal/Constitution, Dean Caparez and Ridge Mahoney of Soccer America, and Doug Cress (free-lance writer), most of women's soccer in the United States is covered by media representatives with little or no knowledge of soccer. Some reporters from AP and some of the city newspapers make an honest effort and will ask people like myself for help and information, but some of those articles that you see printed are by writers who know nothing about the game (as one who confessed to me at a game in Atlanta earlier this year) but get contracts or assignments from magazines and/or newspapers. This is part of the reason why it is so difficult to find women's soccer news in your local paper unless it is about a contract dispute or other problem. Newspaper editors look upon women's soccer as a very minor event.
The encouraging news in Washington D.C. Was that the new young reporters (generation X?) entering the newspaper and general media business there, come with an understanding and interest in sports such as soccer.
One way to improve coverage of the women's game (other women's sports as well) is to encourage more young women who play or understand the sport to become reporters and editors.
We shall in the next weeks publish some articles about women who are part of the necessary support team for a team to succeed. They will be about successful women working with the national team as administrators, trainers, public relations, etc., in an attempt to persuade some of the hundreds of women between 8-18 years old who write such charming letters to us to consider careers in these important and productive areas.
This week I shall try and answer some of the many questions we have received, and also appeal for information from our readers.
- Links
- We thank people for sending us links but except for our "featured four" we do not carry a link list but try to put them in our articles when relevant or as a point of reference. We are a magazine of news and there are a lot of good link only lists available elsewhere on the net.
- Soccer Camps
- 1. We have a request for information about soccer camps in Wisconsin.
- 2. Does anyone know of soccer camps for post-collegiate players?
- T-Shirts promoting soccer for women and girls?
- The best source for women's soccer clothing and equipment seems to be Eurosport. Their catalogues have several pages devoted to the women's game and they have made some major contributions to helping the women's game grow such as their sponsorship of the autograph day we reported from Davidson College. They have included some interesting articles on National Team Players particularly Mia Hamm who has worked for them in the past. They also have a web site at http://www.soccer.com.
- Message Center
- We are adding a "message center" since we have many requests for leaving notes for people around the world. Just e-mail us and we will post it as soon as possible.
- Other
- Thank you for your fan mail, coaching and sports medicine letters and questions, please keep them coming we are working on the first responses to them.
Here Comes the U.S.Women's Soccer Team
How wonderful to see the above titled article by Ben Smith III in the middle of the front page of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution Sports section on Wednesday, March 13, 1996. It goes on to talk about the team "giving inspiration to a new generation" and how they have become such role models for young female athletes.Such recognition has been long deserved, and our e-mail daily confirms the love and respect that both young and old in this country feel for the members of the U.S. National Women's Team. The huge volume of letters that we receive about women's soccer around the world has been one of the most rewarding results of publishing this magazine. They are all so positive and caring about the game and players everywhere.
The changes and expansion that you see are our attempt to make this magazine more reader interactive, and you will be seeing more and more news about other countries' programs and National Teams.
We thank all those women's soccer supporters around the world, for their regular contributions of information and news, and welcome anyone who want's to tell us what is happening in their part of the world.
Among the changes will be more use of pictures, but in such a way that does not slow down your reading of current results and news.
Contract Dispute Between US Soccer Federation and Players
We have received a lot of mail regarding the U.S. Soccer Federation contract dispute with some of the players. The Federation recently announced that it has been settled but that the details are to remain secret. Coming after the remarks made by Steinbrecher to the Associated Press "We cannot award mediocracy" in response to the players request for a change in the bonus structure one is reminded that male attitudes in U.S. soccer have not changed. The statement is of course contradictory since that is exactly what the Federation is doing, ie. giving the men's team players bonus money if they make it to a gold, silver, or bronze but only giving it to the women if they win the gold (We have just learned that it will also be given if a silver is won, but that the players had to make other concessions for that change).The secrecy surrounding the details emphasizes the way that the Federation has operated for many years and would suggest that the agreement reached was not something the Federation could easily defend.
Consider the following:
The Women's National team has already won a World Championship Gold Medal, and a World Championship Bronze Medal after only 11 years of international play. That first win had a major impact on women's national soccer teams in the world. It rejuvenated and inspired an already growing sport. The U.S. Style of play ( originated and developed by Anson Dorrance) changed training patterns and has been copied throughout the world.
It is interesting to note both the success and attractiveness of the U.S. Men's National Team play since they now play with a style heavily reminiscent and derivative of the women's game.
The Men's National Team has yet to win any type of World Championship Medal.
Millions of dollars were lost by investors, supporters and the Federation in the development of the men's game in the United States in the 20 years before the World Cup was held in this country in 1994.
More than 50% of the workers (volunteers and paid) who helped make that event such a financial success were women and girls.
Close to 40% of those attending the games were women and children, a fact that was commented on favorably by much of the media in the world.
Women members pay their fair share of the Federation expenses (including Mr. Steinbrecher's), and I suspect do more than their fair share of volunteer work.
The Federation is not alone in allowing discriminatory attitudes to surface.
Ironically, the news of the U.S. Women's National Team players asking for equal treatment received front page coverage by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, in contrast to negligible reporting when those same players won a World Championship in 1991. The opening sentence reinforced this bias with the statement that "they have chosen money over gold" when they in fact chose principle over gold, a decision that must have been very painful for athletes who have dedicated most of their lives to soccer and the ultimate goal of the Olympics. If it were not for them, there would be no women's soccer in the 1996 Olympic Games.
Even magazines that have been generally supportive of women's soccer have published articles with misleading and factual half-truths antagonistic to women in sports such as those appearing in an article in Soccer America, October 9,1995 entitled "The injustice of gender inequity", which was followed by a weaker version on November 6, 1995 entitled "Elder statesmen of women's soccer" and wishy washy description of the contract dispute on December 25, 1995 entitled "We're unified". We had already read in the April 11, 1994 edition another slanted article entitled "Are schools taking gender equity too far? Is it coincidental that the only female listed in their editorial and writing staff is the Editor-in-Chief?
Mariah Burton Nelson's book about sexism and the American culture of sports comes to mind "The stronger women get the more men love football".
Sweden put on a successful World Cup in spite of the distances between game locations, often taking more than 2 hours and sometimes as much as 10 hours to reach by train or car. Coupled with only one rest day between matches it was wearing for fans and players alike.Sweden and the Swedish people were as usual lovely to be around. In a country where the pedestrian comes first in importance and consideration (and the cyclist next), it is heaven for those of us that like to walk and/or run especially in June when dawn breaks at 3.00 am.after just 4 hours of night and a temperature that only occasionally reaches 25 degrees C.each day.
There was none of the cohesion of the China 91 Cup since it was physically impossible to be at all the games and only the Sweden games were televised thus making it difficult to evaluate properly the players and teams.
The heavy continuous rain before and during the Cup Final game resulted in an unplayable pitch by the second half with the corresponding absence of any rewards for any soccer skills the teams might possess. If anything it suited Norway's style of strong physical long ball play better than Germany's usual thoughtful and skilful build up through the midfield. It was a disapointing finale to a competitive tournament that had promised such an interesting match up of contrasting styles.
DIFFERENT TREATMENT FOR WOMEN AND MEN SOCCER PLAYERS AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
One of the more disturbing circumstances at the 95 Women's World Cup, and one complained about by every coach,was the trimming down of the rest days between games from 2 days in 1991to 1 day in 1995 to the detriment of the quality of play.Physically this is extremely tough on an athlete at this level as well as tiring the psychological dimension. To do this to female athletes and not male athletes ( the 1994 World Cup for men had 3 day rest periods between games) is an amazing turn around in attitude by FIFA regarding women soccer players. I remember the opposition to a proposal, that I made in a FIFA meeting at the 1988 Women's Tournament in China, to play 90 minute games like the men instead of 80 minute games. Some of those present suggested that it would be too tough physically for the women to play that long, that view has now apparently been reversed.
Now we are about to see more discrimination. Women's teams will only be allowed to carry 16 players, while men's teams will carry 18 players at the 1996 Olympic Games.
Does this punishment of female athletes represent something sinister or is it the usual case of a male dominated sports world controlling everything including purse strings?
Our Swedish correspondent Thorsten Frennstedt of Nya Mal magazine, who travelled with the Swedish National Team, and myself were the only non-Chinese reporters covering the Tournament and we were treated to further proof that the quality of women's international continues to improve to levels unthought of five years ago. It was the third time for both of us to be back in Guangzhou (previously 1988 and 1991) and the growth of the game was equalled only by the amazing building growth in the city itself.All of the teams involved have added varying numbers of new players into their teams over the past few months, and so this tournament was used as a testing ground for new players. China had made the most changes in their national squad. After their success in the Asian Cup they dropped some of the experienced members, and in the month previous to the tournament added ten new players. Five of the team had their international soccer baptism during this tournament and overall the Chinese team was fast and skilful. Inexperience cost them the game against Norway after dominating most of the play. They must still be considered as the second seed team in the world.
Sweden appeared disorganized in all their games, only showing brief glimpses of their usual style occasionally such as part of the second half against Norway. In their first game they had only arrived two days previously and were certainly jet lagged but their performance in this tournament must certainly raise questions about the player selection and training back in Sweden.
This tournament again raised questions about the direction of the Norwegian program. They looked slow, unimaginative and somewhat aged physically and mentally ; maybe they were also jet lagged.
The USA team had much to be pleased about in their performance. They moved up a notch in their quality of touch and possession play. Their domination of Norway was emphasised in the second half of the game when they gave a skilled clinic in holding and keeping the ball, the likes of which has rarely been seen in any games against the Norwegians in the last ten years. The other encouraging sign was the performance by the young players substituted into the matches, and no apparent drop in quality of performance resulted.
In particular the promised international performance of Cindy Parlow came into full fruition during this tournament, and Laurie Fair substituted with confidence and skill.
The upcoming trip will be the first time the National Team has returned to China since winning the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1991. For several of the players and myself this will be our third visit to Guangzhou and our fifth trip to China. Who could ever forget standing in the middle of Tinahe Stadium on that last visit clutching our FIFA Championship Gold medals with fireworks exploding above and around us?The National Team visited China four times between 1987 and 1991 and our working relationship with their women's program during those years had started with our previous meeting with Mr. Han Chongde and the Chinese National Team at an international tournament in Jesolo, Italy in 1986. It was indicative of the continuing supportive relationships between national teams, and is one of the reasons why the women's game has progressed so rapidly around the world. Rivals on the field but all willing to share information and methods in a joint effort to secure the advance of the women's game, so that fans will be able to see soccer played as it should be with skill, passion, athleticism, understanding, thought, beauty and always excitement.
Women's Soccer World will be covering the tournament and I look forward to meeting with our friends from not only China, but also Sweden and Norway.
Women's World Cup '99 We present an exclusive report of the World Cup Committee Press Conference in New York, and will feature a complete summary in our next printed WSW (Sept/Oct).
We heard last week that Kit Simeone, Director of Operations for the U.S. Youth Soccer Association will likely be named to the Organizing Committee as the liaison person to connect with the U.S.Y.S.A.
Nordic Cup '97
The Nordic Cup brings special challenges to the U.S. Team as it does to all teams outside of Europe. It is difficult to prepare for such events without having the opportunity to view their make up , style, new players etc. It is also physically gruelling with many games in a short time span.
USA had mixed results in the past having won once and been second another year, but part of the value of this tournament is being able to give young players this experience. This U.S. Team has several players with National Team and Olympic playing time, and their performance in friendly games this year bodes well for Denmark.
UPSET IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS -- NORWAY OUT
Italy upset Norway 2-0 on Sunday thus knocking them out of the semi-finals of the championship, a place they have occupied for many years. It raises many questions about Norway's program. Almost alone amongst the top 20 teams in the world they have not changed their game but have clung to a style they play to perfection. As other teams have improved their technical game and changed their tactical approach the level of the game has improved to a point of levelling the competition. Last year Norway was only able to manage third place in the Olympics and had a lot of trouble handling the Brazilian team. Norway's superior physical size and strength proved to be their saving grace in the semi-final game.Italy and France seemed to have been helped by their recent games against the U.S.team. Our correspondents at the championship told us that both teams performed well and looked more organized that before.
WSW asked several Norwegian and Swedish soccer commentators at the beginning of this year if they felt that the Norwegian National Team would attempt to change its game in order to stay competitive. They all said that this was unlikely since it would be difficult to change because all Norwegians, male and female, learnt this "defensive long ball style" from the age of 5.
It will be interesting to see how Norway handles this latest set back, and what direction this world class team of skillful, motivated athletes will take.
NO WOMEN REFEREES IN CONNECTICUT?
USA v Canada Game
Watching the game I was struck by the absence of women referees, in contrast to most of the Victory Tour games. It seems that whenever the women's international games are occasionally televised live it would behoove the referee associations to appoint women referees. The men referees already have plenty of television exposure in such male referee bastions as the MLS.
Seeing Hamm being roughed up in the first half reminded me of watching Maradona undergoing similar treatment in a World Cup game against Italy some years ago, and I noticed that the first half debacle led the television commentator to wonder why talented basketball players such as Michael Jordan are given so much more protection than that shown by soccer referees to similarly talented women soccer players.
One has to feel sorry for the Canadian team who showed quite a lot of talent but live in a country that gives virtually no support to women's soccer, and not much more to the men's game. No team can improve with such a lack of competition (5 games last year?) and apparent lack of directional organization and financial support by the Canadian Soccer Association. Maybe the "English disease" is there as well.
NOW IS THE TIME FOR A PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE
Before and after the U.S. National Team games against France in Greensboro, North Carolina and Tampa, Florida I heard a lot of talk about the upcoming proposed National Soccer Alliance professional league.
As is often the case, when certain segments of the soccer world feel that their own particular self interests are threatened, a politically induced campaign to slow down or even negate the NSA's plan seems to be afoot. I was told by people living in different parts of the country that they had heard rumblings about how "perhaps it was too early" from some who had been previously been supporters of the NSA.
No doubt we will again hear from men like Francisco Marcos, President of USISL ( an oxymoron?), who is quick to point out that "he does not believe that any women's professional team sport can succeed in the USA in the next three years." (NSCAA Convention Nashville, January 1997); along with others who are always trying to compare the women's game with the men's game in the U.S. There is really no comparison. Their overall level is far ahead of the men's game, and we are talking large numbers. They have many more players who can and do compete on an equal basis in the top clubs of Europe then the men.
It was obvious when watching the U.S. National team play last week that if these players are going to retain and improve their game a high level league is needed now.
An important point that has not been fully discussed is what is the exact role of the U.S. Soccer Federation's Women's Professional League Development Committee in reviewing applications? Can any one tell me who was on the U.S. Soccer Federation's Men's Professional League Development Committee when reviewing the MLS application?
It would seem that the one item that they should not be reviewing and discussing is whether this is the right time for a professional league. Surely, in the true American tradition of not telling people what they can do with their hard earned cash, that is a decision that rests solely with those willing to invest their time and money.
It is depressing to note that the Old Boys' Club is still working in women's soccer, and even more that it exists at Stanford. Stanford Athletic Director Dr. Ted Leland just happened to hire Bobby Clark, whom he had hired as the men's coach in 1985 when Leland was the AD at Dartmouth, as the director of soccer at Stanford. Then surprise! Clark happens to hire Steve Swanson his women's coach and assistant athletic director at Dartmouth for the four seasons before he left for New Zealand.The women's team problems surfaced in 1992 so why doesn't Stanford have a female coach now? There are many women in this country with better qualifications than those quoted for the Dartmouth troika. Stanford used to be known as a leader in sports and academics in this country. Is this the Dartmouth influence or just the typical male athletic director problem we see so often? Is it because they can't handle coaches who may know more than they do, or do they feel particularly threatened by competent females? An article by Dave Payne in the October 28th. Edition of Soccer America suggests that nepotism is also alive and well at Stanford, at least in Clarks mind, practice and plans.
Perhaps the shocker of the year is the news from Europe published here last week, ie. the demise of the England team in the European Championship preliminaries. For the first time England is out of competition, and for the first time ever Spain is in. It fits in well with my discussion of the "English problem" appearing in the first printed edition (December) of WSW.
We are also happy to be able to tell the hundreds of fans who have sent us letters asking about U.S. Olympic Team posters that U.S. Soccer now has them available (click here for more information).
The tapes are well made and action filled but the overwhelming impression left is that they are great recruiting material. They are great for showing your players the level that women's soccer has reached. They are marvelous for motivating young girls and women in the sport, and would be useful for pre-game team sessions at all ages because they do demonstrate the focus and intensity of some of the world's top level players. The game footage is exciting, emotional and fun. The background commentary reminds us just how trite and tedious soccer coverage is in this country. We have developed world class soccer teams in the USA but unfortunately we are still an underdeveloped country in soccer commentary (and perhaps referees).
These are not tapes that will be of much use for training, except for helping players realize that there are higher levels than many of them realize and that they can achieve those levels with hard work and dedication. But for all of those thousands of young girls and women who send us such wonderful letters this tape has so many of their role models and idols in action.
In this edition of WSW you will find some features that although not directly related to the upcoming Olympics will help give a more complete picture of women's soccer. Two of our features will be published in sections because of their length. One is an honest account of some of the observations of an international player (Carrie Seawetnyk of the Canadian Women's National Team), and the other( from Jorges Antonio Morais Silveira) is an interesting report from Brazil (home of Dr.Havelange,the President of FIFA) about the lack of support there for the women's game.
You will also find an article about Mia Hamm of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Soccer Team. We receive more mail and requests for information about her than any other player and some of that is included in our article.
One of the most encouraging and positive aspects of the women's game in the USA has been the many well written and interesting letters sent to us by young women from 10 years old and up. They are a credit to themselves and their families, and their attitudes are wonderfully mirrored by the actions of their role models- the members of the U.S. National Team whose patient understanding and courteous relationship with their fans has demonstrated again their status as top class women an athletes.
We have received no further news yet about any changes in televising the Olympic Women's soccer games (possibly on another network?) but we will keep you informed and publish the schedule if that happens.
WSW plans to publish detailed reports of the Olympic Women's Games within hours of their completion, as we did at the FIFA Women's World Championship in Sweden last year.
This year I have attended and reported on most of the U.S. Team pre-Olympic games around the country and been impressed with the tremendous support given to the teams.Thirty minutes before kick-off time at the Japan v USA game on Thursday, May 16th. at Horsham High School field in Pennsylvania, on a cold and rainy night there was not a parking space or seat left vacant. The place was packed with children and parents eager to see an international women's soccer game, and in spite of the weather they cheered and applauded the game and players in such a knowledgeable fashion that one had to feel that soccer has really arrived to stay in the USA. As in the other States where the women's pre-olympic games have taken place they remained after the game chanting the names of their favorite players as they waited for an autograph and perhaps even an actual word or two with their particular role model.
None of this is reported because except for a few reporters with an understanding of the game , such as John Hayden (Washington Times, Ben Smith lll of the Atlanta Journal/Constitution, Dean Caparez and Ridge Mahoney of Soccer America, and Doug Cress (free-lance writer), most of women's soccer in the United States is covered by media representatives with little or no knowledge of soccer. Some reporters from AP and some of the city newspapers make an honest effort and will ask people like myself for help and information, but some of those articles that you see printed are by writers who know nothing about the game (as one who confessed to me at a game in Atlanta earlier this year) but get contracts or assignments from magazines and/or newspapers. This is part of the reason why it is so difficult to find women's soccer news in your local paper unless it is about a contract dispute or other problem. Newspaper editors look upon women's soccer as a very minor event.
The encouraging news in Washington D.C. Was that the new young reporters (generation X?) entering the newspaper and general media business there, come with an understanding and interest in sports such as soccer.
One way to improve coverage of the women's game (other women's sports as well) is to encourage more young women who play or understand the sport to become reporters and editors.
We shall in the next weeks publish some articles about women who are part of the necessary support team for a team to succeed. They will be about successful women working with the national team as administrators, trainers, public relations, etc., in an attempt to persuade some of the hundreds of women between 8-18 years old who write such charming letters to us to consider careers in these important and productive areas.
This week I shall try and answer some of the many questions we have received, and also appeal for information from our readers.
- Links
- We thank people for sending us links but except for our "featured four" we do not carry a link list but try to put them in our articles when relevant or as a point of reference. We are a magazine of news and there are a lot of good link only lists available elsewhere on the net.
- Soccer Camps
- 1. We have a request for information about soccer camps in Wisconsin.
- 2. Does anyone know of soccer camps for post-collegiate players?
- T-Shirts promoting soccer for women and girls?
- The best source for women's soccer clothing and equipment seems to be Eurosport. Their catalogues have several pages devoted to the women's game and they have made some major contributions to helping the women's game grow such as their sponsorship of the autograph day we reported from Davidson College. They have included some interesting articles on National Team Players particularly Mia Hamm who has worked for them in the past. They also have a web site at http://www.soccer.com.
- Message Center
- We are adding a "message center" since we have many requests for leaving notes for people around the world. Just e-mail us and we will post it as soon as possible.
- Other
- Thank you for your fan mail, coaching and sports medicine letters and questions, please keep them coming we are working on the first responses to them.
Here Comes the U.S.Women's Soccer Team
How wonderful to see the above titled article by Ben Smith III in the middle of the front page of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution Sports section on Wednesday, March 13, 1996. It goes on to talk about the team "giving inspiration to a new generation" and how they have become such role models for young female athletes.Such recognition has been long deserved, and our e-mail daily confirms the love and respect that both young and old in this country feel for the members of the U.S. National Women's Team. The huge volume of letters that we receive about women's soccer around the world has been one of the most rewarding results of publishing this magazine. They are all so positive and caring about the game and players everywhere.
The changes and expansion that you see are our attempt to make this magazine more reader interactive, and you will be seeing more and more news about other countries' programs and National Teams.
We thank all those women's soccer supporters around the world, for their regular contributions of information and news, and welcome anyone who want's to tell us what is happening in their part of the world.
Among the changes will be more use of pictures, but in such a way that does not slow down your reading of current results and news.
Contract Dispute Between US Soccer Federation and Players
We have received a lot of mail regarding the U.S. Soccer Federation contract dispute with some of the players. The Federation recently announced that it has been settled but that the details are to remain secret. Coming after the remarks made by Steinbrecher to the Associated Press "We cannot award mediocracy" in response to the players request for a change in the bonus structure one is reminded that male attitudes in U.S. soccer have not changed. The statement is of course contradictory since that is exactly what the Federation is doing, ie. giving the men's team players bonus money if they make it to a gold, silver, or bronze but only giving it to the women if they win the gold (We have just learned that it will also be given if a silver is won, but that the players had to make other concessions for that change).The secrecy surrounding the details emphasizes the way that the Federation has operated for many years and would suggest that the agreement reached was not something the Federation could easily defend.
Consider the following:
The Women's National team has already won a World Championship Gold Medal, and a World Championship Bronze Medal after only 11 years of international play. That first win had a major impact on women's national soccer teams in the world. It rejuvenated and inspired an already growing sport. The U.S. Style of play ( originated and developed by Anson Dorrance) changed training patterns and has been copied throughout the world.
It is interesting to note both the success and attractiveness of the U.S. Men's National Team play since they now play with a style heavily reminiscent and derivative of the women's game.
The Men's National Team has yet to win any type of World Championship Medal.
Millions of dollars were lost by investors, supporters and the Federation in the development of the men's game in the United States in the 20 years before the World Cup was held in this country in 1994.
More than 50% of the workers (volunteers and paid) who helped make that event such a financial success were women and girls.
Close to 40% of those attending the games were women and children, a fact that was commented on favorably by much of the media in the world.
Women members pay their fair share of the Federation expenses (including Mr. Steinbrecher's), and I suspect do more than their fair share of volunteer work.
The Federation is not alone in allowing discriminatory attitudes to surface.
Ironically, the news of the U.S. Women's National Team players asking for equal treatment received front page coverage by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, in contrast to negligible reporting when those same players won a World Championship in 1991. The opening sentence reinforced this bias with the statement that "they have chosen money over gold" when they in fact chose principle over gold, a decision that must have been very painful for athletes who have dedicated most of their lives to soccer and the ultimate goal of the Olympics. If it were not for them, there would be no women's soccer in the 1996 Olympic Games.
Even magazines that have been generally supportive of women's soccer have published articles with misleading and factual half-truths antagonistic to women in sports such as those appearing in an article in Soccer America, October 9,1995 entitled "The injustice of gender inequity", which was followed by a weaker version on November 6, 1995 entitled "Elder statesmen of women's soccer" and wishy washy description of the contract dispute on December 25, 1995 entitled "We're unified". We had already read in the April 11, 1994 edition another slanted article entitled "Are schools taking gender equity too far? Is it coincidental that the only female listed in their editorial and writing staff is the Editor-in-Chief?
Mariah Burton Nelson's book about sexism and the American culture of sports comes to mind "The stronger women get the more men love football".
Sweden put on a successful World Cup in spite of the distances between game locations, often taking more than 2 hours and sometimes as much as 10 hours to reach by train or car. Coupled with only one rest day between matches it was wearing for fans and players alike.Sweden and the Swedish people were as usual lovely to be around. In a country where the pedestrian comes first in importance and consideration (and the cyclist next), it is heaven for those of us that like to walk and/or run especially in June when dawn breaks at 3.00 am.after just 4 hours of night and a temperature that only occasionally reaches 25 degrees C.each day.
There was none of the cohesion of the China 91 Cup since it was physically impossible to be at all the games and only the Sweden games were televised thus making it difficult to evaluate properly the players and teams.
The heavy continuous rain before and during the Cup Final game resulted in an unplayable pitch by the second half with the corresponding absence of any rewards for any soccer skills the teams might possess. If anything it suited Norway's style of strong physical long ball play better than Germany's usual thoughtful and skilful build up through the midfield. It was a disapointing finale to a competitive tournament that had promised such an interesting match up of contrasting styles.
DIFFERENT TREATMENT FOR WOMEN AND MEN SOCCER PLAYERS AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL
One of the more disturbing circumstances at the 95 Women's World Cup, and one complained about by every coach,was the trimming down of the rest days between games from 2 days in 1991to 1 day in 1995 to the detriment of the quality of play.Physically this is extremely tough on an athlete at this level as well as tiring the psychological dimension. To do this to female athletes and not male athletes ( the 1994 World Cup for men had 3 day rest periods between games) is an amazing turn around in attitude by FIFA regarding women soccer players. I remember the opposition to a proposal, that I made in a FIFA meeting at the 1988 Women's Tournament in China, to play 90 minute games like the men instead of 80 minute games. Some of those present suggested that it would be too tough physically for the women to play that long, that view has now apparently been reversed.
Now we are about to see more discrimination. Women's teams will only be allowed to carry 16 players, while men's teams will carry 18 players at the 1996 Olympic Games.
Does this punishment of female athletes represent something sinister or is it the usual case of a male dominated sports world controlling everything including purse strings?
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