Womens Football

Like most men, I tend to regard womens sports as inferior. Before you react to that statement, either with agreement or complete opposition, allow me to clarify. What I mean, is that when comparing a professional sport traditionally played by, as well as dominated by, men, I am more interested in the mens version. When it comes to Softball, Volleyball, Gymnastics, and a number of other athletic events, womens sports seem just as exciting and competitive.

Now, I don't believe I am being sexist. Men can generally run faster, tend to be stronger, and have a longer history of competing in athletic events. It is usually more exciting to watch mens sports of all varieties. I am hesitant to say that one gender is supposed to play one sport and another is supposed to play something else - I truly don't believe that. Nevertheless, when it comes to just about any sport, I find womens sports a little boring.

Unsurprisingly, there is one exception to how I feel.

You guessed it - Soccer. Although I will never find any league, mens or womens, that can ever draw my attention away from the English Premier League, womens football does come close.

In England, there is a Womens Premier League which runs concurrently alongside the mens league. Although Arsenal appears to have dominated this league over the years, there are teams that mirror their mens counterparts for just about every imaginable football club. Although I am privy only to highlights care of Sky Sports, I have been impressed with what I've seen.

Similarly, there are UEFA competitions that represent all of Europes womens leagues. And there is a womens World Cup. In fact, while the US mens team struggles for worldwide recognition in the world of football, our Womens team has won twice! We have a better record than Brazil!

There are a number of reasons for this. Soccer has been a popular youth sport in the US for some time, but we lack a system of academies or training beyond that of academic institutions. This means we can't seem to get our shit together when it comes to having a quality professional league or successful national team. On the flipside, it means that we have been cultivating a lot of otherwise forgotten talent - that of our girls and young women. The US has long been a nation where women have played sports. Soccer is a sport that has particularly resonated with our women, and the results speak for themselves. The fledgling WPS does not look set to overtake the MLS or any other league in popularity, but the quality of play is, in my opinion, comparable.

In short, although I seem like a sexist asshole, I have actually watched womens soccer. It is entertaining and exciting. If given the chance to watch the West Ham womens team, I absolutely would. And if you doubt what I say, I recommend watching a WPS game some time. The names of the teams leave a lot to be desired, but the players are quick, skilled, and most importantly, passionate.