The USWNT Support Movement Starts Here

To whomever it may concern and can help us out, we the fans are seeking, desperately at this point, the support that our United States Womens National Soccer Team (USWNT) deserves. Why do they deserve the backing that their male counterparts, and their fellow athletes in other sports receive?

One, they are the top team in the world right now. Thats right, ahead of Germany and Brazil. And that is twenty places ahead of the mens team. We are undefeated this year under a new coach and a new system. Surely the top team in the world deserves better than this.

Second, who says being females equals less support? Sports are sports, and athletes are athletes, gender is just an outside thing to note if one must. If soccer, or any sport for that matter, is a mans sport, then why is the womens team better? Unfortunately this is a common issue in sports on all levels, but it would be a great way to end those stereotypes and unfairness by giving the USWNT the support it deserves from US Soccer.

Third, these ladies are true role models in a world of sports that surely lacks role models of any kind. Day in and day out pretty much all year, they give it their all everyday for this is what they love to do and this is their job. Just how many athletes out there treat their good fortunate at playing on a professional/international level as their job, like everyone else treats their 9-5 jobs? This team keeps at it despite the lack of support afforded to other soccer teams and other sports teams. Sure, there are sponsors but since when is the USWNT everyones first thought when they grab their Nike soccer cleats? They have to sacrifice just about everything to live out their dream of playing soccer for living. A professional league (WPS) is starting in 2009 that will afford women more of a chance to play soccer for a living and keeping up a normal life, but this is only after the folding of the WUSA, and hopefully there will be no third times the charm thing happening in the future. They are true soccer moms, going out there everyday just like every other working mom out there. And they dont demand anything. They play the game because of the game, whether or not 4,000 fans are in the stands or 40,000. Real role models anywhere deserve the support and the attention, more so then the overpaid and selfish athletes and celebrities.

More and more points can be, and should be made, but the idea is clear here. The USWNT is a team worth the money, the time, the attention, and the support. I remember the Olympic gold in 1996, the World Cup phenomenon that was 1999, and I truly became a dedicated fan in 2003. I bought the jersey (Reddick #4 thank you very much), plan on buying a new one this month, buy the yearbooks, buy the blue Nike cleats with the US Soccer logo, stay up all hours to watch a game online, read the articles that are there, talk up the team to anyone who will listen, and more. And I know I am not alone. Whatever the number may be, this team has a very dedicated, hardcore group of loyal fans. Whenever we can go to a game, we are there. Heck, my sister and I are saving up money for the 2012 Summer Olympic games in London, and this soccer team is one of the reasons why! We suffer through Match Tracker and the failed attempts of MatchACCESS. We post in forums, read the WNT Blog, share pictures, and create websites. And all because we know this team deserves better. We are willing, no matter how difficult it has become, to follow our team and give them all of our support.

The great commercials and write-ups from the past are, well in the past, and newer generations will not recall any of that. And hopefully with enough signatures, we can use this petition to catch the attention of US Soccer, the sponsors, the media, whomever it may concern and affect, to get behind the number one womens soccer team in the world, the USWNT! It is an Olympic year after all and the new professional league is starting up in 2009, so what better time then now!

Many thanks to all who sign this and spread the word!

Also check out these sites:
ussoccer.com
ponytailposse.com
http://wnt-ussoccer.blogspot.com
bigsoccer.com (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=36 for the USA Women forum)

And it should be noted the community URL below will only work if you have a facebook account. I hope to start a website for this group soon if enough support is shown.