Revitalized Interest in CCNY Women’s Soccer Following 2019 World Cup Win?

By Eric Bilach

The following piece is featured in the September 2019 edition of The Campus.

July 7, 2019 now marks amonumental date not just in American sports, but in women’s history as well. Bya score of 2 to nil, the United States women’s national soccer team (USWNT)toppled the Netherlands to become back-to-back World Cup champions, securingtheir fourth title in the process. Reception for the USWNT’s victory has beenimmense, propelling female fortitude and accomplishment to the forefront ofnational attention.

With what is an inspirationalwin for many, the USWNT has again demonstrated that gender holds zero bearingover the significance of a competitive sporting event. For male and femaleathletes alike, the stakes of games such as these are just as high, theintensity just as palpable, and the outcomes just as noteworthy.

With regards to the 2019 FIFAWomen’s World Cup, the outcome is of particular note as it holds the potentialto extend far beyond the realm of professional sports. As Christen Press, astriker for the USWNT, said, “We got to play knowing that we weren’t playingjust for soccer… we were actually playing for cultural change and womeneverywhere.”

Following the conclusion ofthe 2019 World Cup, the question that has cropped up all around campus is:“Will this national interest in women’s sports carry over to the CCNY women’ssoccer team?”

In speaking on this issue withStephanie Nunez, a junior at CCNY, she explained that the USWNT’s victory hasstimulated her interest in the CCNY women’s soccer team. She noted, “Knowingthat achievements [such as winning a championship] are possible for our LadyBeavers—a team with such determination and passion for the sport—makes me wantto do my best to keep up with their season and show my support every step ofthe way.”

Nunez encourages her fellowCCNY students to take an interest in the happenings of the women’s soccer team.On the subject of low attendance figures at their home games, Nunez commented,“It’s very unfortunate to learn that the team attracts less attention due tooutdated gender standards. But the [USWNT’s victory] is a great start for themto receive the credit and appreciation they deserve. The support system thesewomen will gather along the way will work to defy any biases that some may holdagainst them before they even have a chance to see them shine.”

This year’s attendance willshow if Nunez’s thoughts on game turn out were at all affected by the widepublicity the USWNT has garnered. Susan Aracena, a senior co-captain of women’ssoccer team, holds out hope on this idea becoming a reality. Though theprospect of the USWNT’s victory having a direct impact on campus-wide recognitionof the women’s soccer team is one that excites her, Susan admits, “It’sultimately on us to draw fans at home games through our play.”

When asked if the team hadany plans to capitalize on the recent success of the 2019 World Cup, Susanconceded that the beginning of this upcoming preseason (August 18th) might betoo far removed from the conclusion of the championship game to be benefittedfrom. In spite of this, Susan added, “There is a specific energy you receivefrom winning the World Cup. We will bring that energy to the pitch thisseason.”

While the impact that theUSWNT’s victory will have on Women’s Soccer remains uncertain, Susan isconcentrating on the bigger picture. For her, the World Cup represents far morethan “just winning a trophy”—it is a global triumph for unity, equality, andstrength.

“[USWNT players], such as AmyWambach and Megan Rapinoe, who use their platforms to help raise awarenessabout certain issues, like the wage gap and LGBT+ rights, are inspirations toall women and soccer players around the world,” Susan remarked.

No matter the empiricalchange in attendance for women’s soccer, at the collegiate and professionallevel, the USWNT’s recent win has sparked a national conversation on thedifference between the perception of women and men’s sports. It proposed thepossibility that if interest for Women’s Soccer is to grow at CCNY, a share ofthe focus might need to be on who and what our valiant women athletes areplaying for each and every outing.