The US Women's National Soccer Team Fandom 

    Have you been following soccer throughout the past couple of years? If you have even a little bit, you have definitely heard about the impressive performance of the United States Women's National Soccer Team. Over the years, this team has won four Fifa World Cups and four Olympic Gold medals (5). Rightfully so, these women have gained quite the fan base. As they continue to succeed more and more, their following grows bigger and bigger. This blog will cover the various ways that USWNT fans become involved to help cheer on their team. 

Figure 1: A fan is holding up a sign with Kelly O'Hara (defender for the US Women's National Team) that has a squirrel drawn on it that says "Im nuts for O'Hara". 

The Fan Council    

One way that fans are able to get involved in helping out the Women's National Team is becoming a member of the US Soccer Fan Council. In 2018, the United States Soccer Organization created this council as a way to give the fans a voice. The five who are selected to be members of this council helps the US Soccer community increase the amount of people who are exposed to soccer (2). The US Soccer Organization sees the passion that fans have for the USWNT. In an effort to further involve them in the game, they decided to give the fans a voice in the sport that they so dearly love. To become a representative, one must be a US Soccer Premium insider. Of those who apply, two are selected to meet with the United States Soccer Organization quarterly. Here, they will get to vote on items such as budget, rules, and the president of the organization (2). These fans have a chance to directly impact the game and players. Fans becoming members of the fan council illustrates the dedication that these fans have to the United States Women's National Soccer Team. 

   The American Outlaws 

 Another organization run by fans in an effort to support the United States Women's National Soccer Team is the American Outlaws. This is a non-profit group that not only supports the Women's National Soccer team but the Men's National Soccer Team and Youth National teams as well (1). These dedicated individuals spend their spare time promoting positive changes in soccer. In fact, there are around 200 chapters in different locations around the world. in their first year alone, the American Outlaws raised over $60,000 to fund over 10 programs. These programs fund necessities in US Soccer such as infrastructure, equipment, and growth within the sport (1). The fact that these people donate their extra time and resources to help the Women's National Team really shows how passionate they are about this team, the players on it, and the game of soccer in general. 

  This video describes the mission of the American Outlaws. 

  Record Setting

 Not only do fans of the United States Women's National Soccer Team show their support through councils and organizations, but they also set records. In 2015, these fans set the record for the most watched soccer game in United States history. Just under 23 million fans tuned in to watch the US take on Japan in the 2015 FIFA World Cup final (3). The FIFA World Cup is the biggest tournament in soccer. When the USWNT made it to the finals, fans knew that they needed to watch it live. Because this team was rapidly gaining more and more fans, the number of viewers also increased dramatically. Despite the same two teams making it to the finals, the numbers viewers increased by 77% from the 2011 World Cup (3). The impressive results achieved by the USWNT is what attracts fans to keep tuning into these games. These increasing views show that these fans really show up to support their team when it matters. 

The Fight for Equal Pay 

    The dedicated fans of the US Women's National Soccer Team also helped the women on the team to achieve equal pay. In March 2019, the US Women's National Soccer Team sued the United States Soccer Federation for "purposeful gender discrimination". This lawsuit was filed after the US Women's National Soccer Team was payed considerably less than the US Men's National Soccer Team despite winning more tournaments and playing more games (4). Not only did this outrage the women on the team, but it also outraged the fans as well. When they would show up to the games to support their team, they would also protest the pay gap. They would do this with making signs demand equal pay between the two teams. 

Figure 2: Signs held up by fans that read "Equal Play, Equal Pay" and "Anything men can do women can do better!" 

Figure 3: Multiple fans work together to hold up signs that say, "EQUAL PAY!!" 

They even chanted "equal pay" following the final of the 2019 FIFA World Cup (6). The outrage felt by these fans goes to show the respect and admiration that they have for the women who play on this team. 

Support for the Players 

Figure 4: A fan holds up a sign that offers Emily Sonnet 
(defender for the USWNT) waffles in exchange
for her jersey. 

    The dedication that these fans pour into their love for the game does not go unnoticed. In fact, through the constant support players have said that their fans make playing around the world feel like home (4). The fans achieve this by showing up to games around the world, having watch parities, and making fun signs to encourage the players. The constant support and energy brought by these fans helps the players to play their best and win big games.

Figure 5: A fan shows Tobin Health (forward for
the US Women's National Soccer Team) a sign that 
reads "Keep Calm and Tobin on".

 The fans of the United States Women's National Team do whatever they can to show up and support their team. This comes in all different forms. Support can look like tuning in to cheer on the women play or protesting the inequities they are facing. Either way, the support shown allows the players to perform at their best and continue to make history. 

References 

"American Soccer Starts Here." The American Outlaws, https://theamericanoutlaws.com/. Accessed 01 May 2023. 

"Fancouncil." US Soccer, hhtps://www.ussocer.com/fancouncil. Accessed 01 May 2023. 

"Women's World Cup Final is Most-Watched Soccer Match in U.S. History." US Soccer, 08 July 2015, https://www.ussocer.com/stories/2015/07/womens-world-cup-final-is-mostwatched-soccer-match-in-us-history. Accessed 01 May 2023. 

Politi, Daniel. "Crowd in Stadium Starts Chanting 'Equal Pay' After U.S. Women's Team Wins World Cup." Slate, 07 July 2019, https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/07/crowd-stadium-chants-equal-pay-womens-team-wins-world-cup.html. Accessed 01 May 2023. 

"U.S. Women's National Team." US Soccer, https://www.ussoccer.com/teams/uswnt. Accessed 01 May 2023. 

"Fans chanting 'Equal Pay' during FIFA World Cup 2019 Final." YouTube, YouTube: Polarbear Suburbs, 7 July 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0CGYsZybJI. Accessed 02 May 2023.