Air More US Women’s Soccer Games, It’s the Smart Thing To Do

Time and time again, all of us find ourselves staring at Twitter or US Soccer Match Tracker because the USWNT games aren’t on TV. We’ve all dealt with the frustration, the disappointment, the anger. Just to get the USWNT vs China game web streamed, hundreds of people and countless Tweets had to beg US Soccer to do it. So, to all the sports channels and people who have the power to show these games, let’s have a talk.

In order to watch our women’s national soccer team play, not a professional league team, not a rec team, our NATIONAL team, we have to beg, literally. People, these women aren’t only out there to play soccer, they’re representing our country. Need I remind you they are the #1 ranked team in the world. But instead, here are some of the things they air instead: spelling bees, poker, and highlights from sports games that happened years ago. Umm…okay. Now, I in no way am disrespecting anybody who plays poker or compete in spelling bees, my intentions are not to be insulting anyone. But, spelling bees and poker are not considered sports. So why are those aired on ESPN, but not USWNT soccer games?

USWNT team members have expressed their disappointment for their games not being aired and they do support their fans who want them to be.

Heather Mitts via @heathermitts’ Twitter: “Heading to open practice at PPL. See you all there! Send your requests for a live stream to US Soccer and make it happen.”

Abby Wambach via @AbbyWambach’s Twitter: “To all fans out there! The decision to web stream or air the game on TV isn’t ours. If it were, we would be. Take it up with @ussoccer #weagree”

Now, I’m not sure how much it costs to air sports games on channels like EPSN, ESPN2, Fox Sports, etc. I’m not in “the business” so I really can’t tell you how much it is. But, the argument that no one will watch the matches if they are aired is no longer valid and will not be considered a legit argument. When the U.S. played New Zealand and that match was streamed, Alex Morgan was a WORLDWIDE trend even thought the game wasn’t aired on TV. When Lori Lindsey scored her first international goal during the 2012 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying, her name was also a WORLDWIDE trend even though that wasn’t shown on TV either. My point is, people will find a way to watch the match or find out what’s going on regardless, but if it’s on TV, I can guarantee you that people will watch.

Take this for instance, when the USWNT played China in PPL Park on May 27. The actual highlights of the game weren’t even posted until 6 days later. It was the stream of the game with no commentary and low quality. They won 4-1. When the USMNT played Brazil on May 30, the highlights, each individual goal, and a field level view of parts of the game were all posted within the next day. They lost 4-1. (I want to reiterate that I am not in anyway trying to disrespect anyone especially not the USMNT. I have so much respect for every player and I am a huge fan). Apparently, US Soccer feels that we would rather watch 4 goals from a team that we lost to instead of all 4 of the goals of our women’s national team when they won.

So, please start airing USWNT soccer games on TV. They are OUR national team. They go out on the field everyday regardless of if it’s on TV or not and give it all they have because they know the whole country is rooting them on. They are the #1 ranked women’s soccer team in the world and that rank doesn’t just happen. It takes hard work, through all the blood, sweat, and tears. So, don’t you think we should give them a little something back in return? Air the games so they know that we have their back like they’ve had ours for so many years.