U.S. FIFA World Cup women lead resurgence of talented female athletes
by Mark Hines
The tremendous success of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup U.S. team has drawn the attention of more than just the casual American sports fan. The exciting quarterfinal match between the U.S. and a talented Brazil team showed that the U.S. team was full of determination and perseverance during many periods during the match and their effort has seized the hearts of Americans across the country. The team achievements of this U.S. team has made household names out of Hope Solo, Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe much like their 1999 World Cup champion predecessors. While Mia Hamm was already a nationally celebrated sports star prior to the 1999 World Cup, the rest of the country was introduced to the talents and personalities of other players such as Brandi Chastain and Joy Fawcett. One of the best things about the attention and admiration that this U.S. women's soccer team is receiving that it will likely inspire young people to play soccer and also show young girls that they can receive proper recognition for their athletic feats usually reserved for their male counterparts.
This U.S. World Cup team has a great blend of veteran and young talent that will make future successes for the U.S. in women's soccer a strong possibility. In fact, exciting young female athletic talent seems to be emerging across various levels of sports that bode well for the future and evolution of women's sports.