USWNT Poised to win Group C, Advance to Quarterfinal

No need to reinvent the wheel so we will simply state the obvious, the U.S. Women have played better than expected so far this World Cup and are in the perfect position to coast into the quarterfinal round of the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany.




Check out this report on ESPN featuring Brandi Chastain and former USWNT Head Coach Tony DiCicco:





  

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Virginia Online Soccer News Writing Contest: "What the WPS Means to Me?"

Recently my daughter and I attended a WPS game of the Washington Freedom. Before and after the game my daughter was able to meet players from both teams and get their autographs. As I watched from a few rows away I noticed the large numbers of young girls lining up to do the same and I realized how great it is for these young ladies to be able to attend a professional women’s sporting event and have female athletes as their role models. The existence of the WPS also fosters a dream to many of them of one day playing professionally themselves.

In a previous article written for VaSoccerNews by Karen Ruberg, ‘The Influence of WPS on female youth players?, Karen discussed the

need to have female role models involved in the game of soccer throughout all levels of.

Former US Women’s National team member and Professional soccer player, Brandi Chastain even weighed in on the article saying:

It is important that girls and women see examples of themselves in all facets of life; sports, law, education, business, boardrooms, non-profit, family and otherwise because without an example, it is much more difficult to encourage and foster the belief that they too can dream and become whomever they wish. Those are my two cents.

The existence of the WPS is so important especially to youth players and female youth players in particular and who better to explain the value and importance than the players and fans themselves.

So, Virginia Online Soccer News announces a contest to discover the answer to the question: "What the WPS Means to Me?"

Here are the details of the writing contest by VaSoccerNews.com:

1. Title = "What the WPS Means to Me?"
2. Must be 18 yrs. or younger to enter.
3. Submission should be between 250-500 words.
4. Three finalists will be chosen and readers will get to vote to select the Winner.
5. Winning submission will be published on VaSoccerNews.blogspot.com, Washington Freedom website, AllWhiteKit.com, and 90:00 Soccer Magazine.
6. Prize = Winner will receive 2 tickets to a Washington Freedom home game @ Maryland SoccerPlex.
7. Winner will be determined and notified on July 31, 2010.

To enter your submission for consideration click on the button below and good luck!

How the United States can still win a World Cup!

By Chris Wimmer 

Just because the U.S. Men’s team was eliminated doesn’t mean you will have to wait four more years to see America have a chance to win a World Cup. Some of the best female soccer players including: Brazil - Marta (FC Gold Pride) Formiga & Cristiane (Chicago Red Stars), France - Sonia Bompastor (Washington Freedom), Camille Abily (FC Gold Pride), Germany - Shelley Thompson (Atlanta Beat), Japan - Homare Sawa (Washington Freedom), England - Eniola Aluko (Atlanta Beat), and of course many more will be competing in next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011.

The Women’s National Team is preparing for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup to be played in Germany 2011 (June 26 – July 17). There have been five Women’s World Cup tournaments (China – 1991 & 2007, Sweden - 1995, and U.S.A – 1999 & 2003) with the U.S. winning twice and finishing 3rd their other three appearances. The most recent FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking the Americans held the #1 spot, followed by #2 Germany (host country), and #3 Brazil.

So if you are a fan of U.S. soccer you will be able to cheer on your country again with the realistic expectations of the Women's National team bringing home the trophy for an unprecedented 3rd time. Now if we could just somehow get the women the same level media coverage as the men, even though the women are much more dominant and respected in the international soccer/futbol scene their coverage is minimul at best. Don't forget it was the now famous U.S. Women's National team of the 1990's, led by Hamm, Akers, Chastain, Lilly, and Foudy that caused the explosive growth in youth soccer that has continued to this day all over America.

For those of you soccer fans that feel U.S. soccer is the closest it has ever been to reaching the tipping point and coming out of the shadows of the "three major sports" and joining that group, I agree and hope the women can repeat their quality tournament performances we have grown  to expect.

Brandi Chastains' Response to: The influence of WPS on female youth players?

This article has received the most responses of any other article posted to Virginia Online Soccer News so far. So, I wanted to post a specific response to the topic from none other than Brandi Chastain. Brandi has played for the U.S. Women's National team as well as professionally in the WUSA, WPSL and WPS leagues.

With her background and vast experience as a player and commentator her opinion is most definitely worth more than "two cents".

"It is important that girls and women see examples of themselves in all facets of life; sports, law, education, business, boardrooms, non-profit, family and otherwise because without an example, it is much more difficult to encourage and foster the belief that they too can dream and become whomever they wish. Those are my two cents."

Thanks to Brandi Chastain for taking her time to respond to our article. BTW, ever wonder what happened to the bra she wore during the most famous goal celibration in soccer history? CLICK HERE:

Reach Up! with Brandi Chastain
http://www.brandisworld.com/ 

Original Article posted 4/16/10

By Karen Ruberg:

I believe strongly in the need to have female role models involved in the game of soccer, whether they are girls playing at the next level or female coaches who have played the game at a competitive level. There are plenty of outstanding men who coach and who are involved in the women’s game, but there is something to be said for female soccer players to be able to see another female soccer player who is playing at the next level or to have a female coach who knows the game. Just like young boys, young girls benefit from seeing someone of the same gender excel in their sport; it helps to inspire and motivate young athletes across the board.