On the field, the U.S. women’s national team has much to prove at this month’s World Cup.
As back-to-back champions, there’s immense pressure on the youthful group of players aiming to win an unprecedented third title in a row. Off the field, though, non-sporting goals have already been scored.
“It’s crazy how diverse this team has become with how many African-Americans there are, Mexican-Americans,” 21-year-old Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman said earlier this month. “It’s expanding and I think that shows so much that it’s not exclusive.”
NJ/NY Gotham FC‘s Lynn Williams noted, “When I was growing up, there wasn’t a lot of Black people playing soccer, let alone on the national team to look up to. It’s just awesome that the national team is starting to look like the nation.”
As part of a wider generational shift for the USWNT, the squad that will be heading to Australia and New Zealand for the FIFA Women’s World Cup is not only younger than usual, but more ethnically diverse.
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Criticized in the past for lacking representation — “Why is the U.S. women’s World Cup roster so white?” read one headline from the 2019 tournament — this year’s roster highlights a wider range of backgrounds that can help push for more inclusivity…
