Wither Women's Soccer (1999)

Twenty Years ago this summer came the FIFA Women's World Cup which ended with the United States beating China in overtime...

[Extra time you dumb Yank-Ed]

...before a packed house in southern California, which would have been unthinkable in the 80's. *

We watched. Why not? 

While most people remember Brandi Chastain's infamous victory celebration, we recall Brianna Scurry blocking a kick in the shootout that won  the match for the USA.**

Comparisons to the 1980 US Olympic hockey team were made because of course they were.

Today #metoo means, well, we don't know what it means anymore, but back then we used to think of 'me too' feminism. Women can do it too! Don't forget about the Founding Mothers! Take Your Daughter to Work Day! Woooohoooo! Me Too!

The Me Too! feminists of the 1990's thought the WWC victory would catapult women's soccer to a place amongst the big four sports. Which actually would have been interesting. A league was duly formed. Mia Hamm was touted as the next great female athlete. She married Nomar Garciaparra and did commercials with Michael Jordan.

The Women's United Soccer Association failed and Mia Hamm ended up doing shampoo commercials. Which is fine. 

The me too feminists of '99 were wrong. This wasn't the Miracle on Ice, just something to watch on a Sunday afternoon.

*Should 'southern' be capitalized? Is Southern California an actualy place name?

**Heh, at first we thought her name was Brianna Banks