Women’s world cup spurs excitement

U.S. national players Tobin Heath, Alex Morgan and Rose Lavell celebrate a goal.

@fifaworldcup Instagram

U.S. national players Tobin Heath, Alex Morgan and Rose Lavell celebrate a goal.

Julia Baron, The Rubicon Editor
June 3, 2019

The stadium fills with cheers as the athletes take the field. Shouts go up in all different languages, and three whistles begin the match. The World Cup is one of the most anticipated  sports events each year it’s played. This year, with the women’s tournament being held in France, is no different. Starting on June 7, with the final game being played on July 7, the FIFA (Federation International Football Association) Women’s World Cup is gaining anticipation as the starting date nears.

Not only is this major international tournament exciting, but what makes it even more so, for many students, is that the United States’ team is highly favored to do well and will enter the tournament as the number one seed by FIFA.

“I rooted for France during the men’s World Cup but I’m gonna have to say [I’m rooting for] the U.S. women’s team. We had a really great season last year, leading up to the World Cup and I’m excited to see how we do this year,” Sophomore Garrett Pauly said.

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I love how soccer brings the world together, and everyone like is watching … The game is played all over the world which is unique for sports that are just played in individual countries

— Ninth grader Mia Hoffman

“I do [think that the US women’s team has a good chance of winning], because they won last time,” 9th grader Mia Hoffman said.

The US team was given a favorable schedule, being placed in Group F, along with Thailand, Chile and Sweden, all teams they have recently beaten. They play their first match on June 11 in Stade Auguste Delaune, in Reims, and play their remaining group match games in Paris and Le Havre. If they continue to the knockout rounds and win their bracket, which they are predicted to do, they will play in Paris for the round of 16. If they win there, they will play the quarter final match in Rennes on June 29. They would then continue to the semi-final and final matches, both being played in the Stade de Lyon, in Lyon France.

Other highly ranked teams to watch in the tournament include Germany, FIFA’s second ranking, England, the 3rd ranked team, and France, the 4th ranked team, who also holds a home field advantage.

Even if the team from the US doesn’t advance far in the tournament, many students will continue to watch, and root for other teams.

“I’m just excited to see more international soccer,” Pauly said.

Not only does the World Cup showcase international high level soccer, it can also bring a sense of unity between countries.

“I love how soccer brings the world together, and everyone like is watching … The game is played all over the world which is unique for sports that are just played in individual countries,” Hoffman said.