Red Stars' US World Cup
heroines still have much to do
By Matt Le Cren
Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was a young girl growing up in Bridgeport, Connecticut, when she witnessed the United States women’s national team play in the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
Brianna Scurry was the goalie on that team, which beat China 1-0 at the Rose Bowl to win the championship before 90,185 fans, the largest crowd ever to witness a women’s sporting event.
That iconic team eventually became known as the '99ers.
Twenty years later, Naeher, 31, helped the U.S. make more history. Four years after being a backup on the American team that won the 2015 World Cup in Canada, Naeher was the starter as the U.S. won back-to-back titles for the first time, with Naeher recording a shutout in a 2-0 win over the Netherlands in the final on July 7 in Lyon, France.
With that win, Naeher joins Scurry and Hope Solo on the list of American goalies to win the World Cup. The woman who Red Stars owner Arnim Whisler calls “my favorite stoic, silent champion” still hasn’t grasped the meaning of that accomplishment.
“I haven’t really thought about that yet,” Naeher said. “The players that were first on that (national team) set the bar really high for us as players.
“I remember going to the ’99 World Cup when I was 11 and watching that team and the legacy that they started. The bar that they set, I think we have all embraced as a team.
“To be a part of the rich history at the goalkeeping position, I am happy to have my name in there and be a part of it.”
Naeher is one of four Red Stars who helped the U.S. win the most-watched Women’s World Cup in history. She joined teammates Julie Ertz, Morgan Brian and Tierna Davidson at a press conference Friday at SeatGeek Stadium, where the Red Stars will host the North Carolina Courage in a nationally televised NWSL match at 5 p.m. Sunday.
It will be the first game back for the World Cup players. The game, which will air on ESPN2, will feature 14 players who appeared in the World Cup, including eight Americans and Red Stars striker Sam Kerr, the NWSL’s all-time leading scorer, who starred for Australia.
The largest crowd to attend a women’s soccer game in Chicago history is 65,080, set on June 24, 1999 for a World Cup doubleheader at Soldier Field which included the 7-1 U.S. win over Nigeria.
A near sellout could be just as significant in terms of its impact on the future of women’s soccer in the area. Seat Geek holds 20,000 people.
“This is a historic and unprecedented moment for us in Chicago soccer history and women’s soccer history,” Whisler said. “From a Chicago perspective, we like our teams to be originals, like the Blackhawks being the Original Six, etc.
“We’re one of the originals in women’s pro soccer. We founded two leagues. We’ve become a part of the fabric of Chicago.”
Now a record crowd will get a glimpse of the state of women’s soccer.
“Fourteen World Cup players will be on the field,” Whisler said. “This is what’s going on every weekend in the NWSL.
“We are the best league in the world, and we’re among the best teams in the best league in the world. If you enjoyed that World Cup experience and enjoy the kind of soccer that is being played, you’re going to love what you see going forward in the NWSL.”
Whisler lauded the returning World Cup players for their talent and accomplishments on and off the field.
“In addition to being incredible players, they are incredible humans,” Whisler said. “That means a lot to all of us around here.
“These are some great role models in our community that are all-in on doing the right thing in the right way.”
Of the four, Ertz, 27, has been in Chicago the longest. The midfielder was drafted out of Santa Clara in 2014 and has started at defender and midfielder for the U.S. in the last two World Cups.
Naeher and midfielder Brian, 26, were acquired via trade in 2016 and 2017, respectively, while Davidson, a 20-year-old defender, was Chicago’s first round pick in the 2019 draft and the youngest member of the World Cup squad.
Ertz and Brian are two-time World Cup champions and have been on the national team together for seven years. Ertz was the USWNT Player of the Year in 2017.
“I think it’s been a really cool journey to be able to share it together,” Ertz said. “Each (World Cup) is special in their different way.
“I think the older we get in our careers, and I think Morgan feels the same way, is you kind of have to get more grateful for your career and the opportunities that you get.”
Indeed, the 2015 World Cup was about regaining the championship last won by the 1999 team. That edition broke records for TV viewership.
But this year’s tournament, and especially the American team, proved to be a cultural as well as sporting phenomenon. Not only did the U.S. go undefeated against the strongest World Cup field yet, the team spurred sellout crowds in France and unprecedented interest on TV and social media. The worldwide viewership for the final was greater than that of the 2018 men’s World Cup final.
“It was amazing to see so many fans travel so far to Europe to support us,” Ertz said. “The final was unreal. It definitely felt like a home game, and that’s a testament to people supporting women’s soccer.
“So many people have come up me and said, ‘Thank you so much for shedding a light on women’s sports and women’s soccer.’ We’ve met so many young, amazing girls that are wanting to play soccer, and I think the numbers keep going up year in and year out. We’re here to make an impact on and off the field.”
The players are doing just that. Some, like Naeher, prefer to let their actions do the talking, while others like Ertz and star forward Megan Rapinoe are more outgoing and outspoken.
For Naeher, the World Cup was an introduction, of sorts. Long overshadowed by Solo, Naeher finally got a chance to shine on the biggest stage, and she made the most of it with her stellar play.
The most memorable moment for Naeher came in the semifinals, when she saved a penalty kick to preserve the Americans’ lead over England. She was swarmed by her teammates afterward as if she had just scored a goal.
“I usually don’t get to celebrate the goals, so that was really different,” Naeher said. “We’ve been a special group, and those are the moments that we’ve gone (through) on this journey together.
“Whether it’s someone scoring a goal, or a center back or outside back making big tackles or blocking a shot, those are the moments we celebrate because we can see the preparation and the hard work that goes into it.
“We’ve always had each other’s backs. That’s what we see in those moments.”
Naeher was asked what she sees and feels in such big matches and how she handles her emotions in such situations.
“I think in the moment it’s just another game,” Naeher said. “It kind of has to be to maintain the focus.
“I think there’s time afterwards to kind of reflect and take a deep breath, even if it’s just standing on the field for a little bit longer afterward and taking in the moment and enjoying that part of it. But I think during the actual game it’s just another game and the focus is on how can we win this one. There’s time for reflection afterward.”
The reflection will come in the days and weeks ahead, although the magnitude of the victory hasn’t really sunk in yet for the players, who have had a whirlwind two weeks that saw them feted with a parade down New York City’s Canyon of Heroes and a trip to the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.
“I think whirlwind has been a good word to describe it,” Brian said. “It’s been really fun to come back and see all the support that we have.
“It’s been fun to meet different people and speak with them about how much they love watching us and how much they want to support women’s sports now. But it’s also great to get back to your own bed and driving your own car.
“It’s good to be back here and having a new focus on Sunday’s game and the games after that.”
Soccer-wise, the focus is to make the gains in popularity and attendance permanent. The 1999 World Cup win led to the creation of the first pro league, the WUSA, in 2001, but it lasted only three seasons.
The 2015 victory solidified the existence of the NWSL, then it its third season, though the league is highly dependent on the support of the United States Soccer Federation, which pays for the salaries of all the national team players.
The success of the '19ers could be the linchpin for the long-term viability of women’s pro soccer as well as the growth of the game in general.
“It just feels like such a different journey,” Brian said. “This time around the biggest difference was obviously the soccer piece, but a year before the World Cup there were (national team) games, and we would be happy if we got 10,000 people at a game.
“I think it’s awesome to be able to see the growth in such a short time, not just on the soccer field. but that we’re reaching so many different types of women who are pushing the ceiling forward.
“I think it’s so cool to be a part of something beyond soccer. For me, that was the biggest thing from 2015 to 2019. Everyone is taking notice that women’s soccer is here to stay, and it’s not just soccer but women in general.”
Indeed, the team has captured the political zeitgeist of the country, especially in their fight for equal pay. They have sued US Soccer to gain equal pay and better working conditions, a stance that has resonated with the general public. The players and federation have agreed to mediation over the matter.
NWSL annual salaries range from a minimum of $16,000 to a maximum of $46,000 though some top national team members earn more than $100,000. In other words, the women earn salaries typical of most American workers.
Those earnings are a far cry from top male professionals in soccer and other popular sports, a fact Ertz is more than familiar with. Her husband, Zach Ertz, is a star tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles who has a five-year, $42.5 million contract, which includes $21 million in guaranteed money.
The Ertz household has two of the best athletes in the world in their respective sports and both have won their sport’s ultimate championship (Zach helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl in 2018. However, the NFL minimum salary is $495,000, over 30 times that of a women’s soccer player with the same standing. The average pro football salary stands at about $2.7 million.
Julie Ertz said her husband is steadfastly in support of his wife and her teammates.
“He supports our team and wanting to grow the sport,” Ertz said. “He knows how much sports can truly unite a country, and there’s so much good that comes out of sports for both women and men.
“And for young girls, he knows just how important it is. He sees young kids love his sport as well.”
The husband and wife have each published children’s books this summer and work to make a difference through their Ertz Family Foundation, which they established last year to help people in need. They attend each other’s games and are active in their communities.
“In our careers, we want to make an impact both on and off the field, especially off the field,” Ertz said. “He sees firsthand how much sports truly can be a special moment for young kids to dream.
“He loves watching our team play, and he wants to continue to help grow the game and women’s sports in general.”
As Naeher pointed out, the equality issue goes far beyond soccer. It affects every industry and all aspects of society. That’s why she’s proud to be part of the fight.
“I think it’s part of a national conversation in every way,” Naeher said.
“I was just talking yesterday to other people in different professions, that women after 25 years of experience, they’re still getting paid 30 to 40 percent less than what their (male) colleagues are getting paid.
“Obviously, soccer and sports is one aspect of it and that’s the role that we fall into being athletes. It’s a very large conversation, and I think we can continue to make strides in that.”
Strides have been made since that day 20 years ago when Naeher watched the '99ers bring women’s soccer into the limelight and fuel the dreams of untold thousands of young girls. But the path is not paved with gold and the journey is far from over.
“It’s not going to happen overnight,” Naeher said. “But I think as long as we continue to have the conversation and people are still talking about it, we’re taking steps in the right direction and progress is going to be made.”
heroines still have much to do
By Matt Le Cren
Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was a young girl growing up in Bridgeport, Connecticut, when she witnessed the United States women’s national team play in the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
Brianna Scurry was the goalie on that team, which beat China 1-0 at the Rose Bowl to win the championship before 90,185 fans, the largest crowd ever to witness a women’s sporting event.
That iconic team eventually became known as the '99ers.
Twenty years later, Naeher, 31, helped the U.S. make more history. Four years after being a backup on the American team that won the 2015 World Cup in Canada, Naeher was the starter as the U.S. won back-to-back titles for the first time, with Naeher recording a shutout in a 2-0 win over the Netherlands in the final on July 7 in Lyon, France.
With that win, Naeher joins Scurry and Hope Solo on the list of American goalies to win the World Cup. The woman who Red Stars owner Arnim Whisler calls “my favorite stoic, silent champion” still hasn’t grasped the meaning of that accomplishment.
“I haven’t really thought about that yet,” Naeher said. “The players that were first on that (national team) set the bar really high for us as players.
“I remember going to the ’99 World Cup when I was 11 and watching that team and the legacy that they started. The bar that they set, I think we have all embraced as a team.
“To be a part of the rich history at the goalkeeping position, I am happy to have my name in there and be a part of it.”
Naeher is one of four Red Stars who helped the U.S. win the most-watched Women’s World Cup in history. She joined teammates Julie Ertz, Morgan Brian and Tierna Davidson at a press conference Friday at SeatGeek Stadium, where the Red Stars will host the North Carolina Courage in a nationally televised NWSL match at 5 p.m. Sunday.
It will be the first game back for the World Cup players. The game, which will air on ESPN2, will feature 14 players who appeared in the World Cup, including eight Americans and Red Stars striker Sam Kerr, the NWSL’s all-time leading scorer, who starred for Australia.
The largest crowd to attend a women’s soccer game in Chicago history is 65,080, set on June 24, 1999 for a World Cup doubleheader at Soldier Field which included the 7-1 U.S. win over Nigeria.
A near sellout could be just as significant in terms of its impact on the future of women’s soccer in the area. Seat Geek holds 20,000 people.
“This is a historic and unprecedented moment for us in Chicago soccer history and women’s soccer history,” Whisler said. “From a Chicago perspective, we like our teams to be originals, like the Blackhawks being the Original Six, etc.
“We’re one of the originals in women’s pro soccer. We founded two leagues. We’ve become a part of the fabric of Chicago.”
Now a record crowd will get a glimpse of the state of women’s soccer.
“Fourteen World Cup players will be on the field,” Whisler said. “This is what’s going on every weekend in the NWSL.
“We are the best league in the world, and we’re among the best teams in the best league in the world. If you enjoyed that World Cup experience and enjoy the kind of soccer that is being played, you’re going to love what you see going forward in the NWSL.”
Whisler lauded the returning World Cup players for their talent and accomplishments on and off the field.
“In addition to being incredible players, they are incredible humans,” Whisler said. “That means a lot to all of us around here.
“These are some great role models in our community that are all-in on doing the right thing in the right way.”
Of the four, Ertz, 27, has been in Chicago the longest. The midfielder was drafted out of Santa Clara in 2014 and has started at defender and midfielder for the U.S. in the last two World Cups.
Naeher and midfielder Brian, 26, were acquired via trade in 2016 and 2017, respectively, while Davidson, a 20-year-old defender, was Chicago’s first round pick in the 2019 draft and the youngest member of the World Cup squad.
Ertz and Brian are two-time World Cup champions and have been on the national team together for seven years. Ertz was the USWNT Player of the Year in 2017.
“I think it’s been a really cool journey to be able to share it together,” Ertz said. “Each (World Cup) is special in their different way.
“I think the older we get in our careers, and I think Morgan feels the same way, is you kind of have to get more grateful for your career and the opportunities that you get.”
Indeed, the 2015 World Cup was about regaining the championship last won by the 1999 team. That edition broke records for TV viewership.
But this year’s tournament, and especially the American team, proved to be a cultural as well as sporting phenomenon. Not only did the U.S. go undefeated against the strongest World Cup field yet, the team spurred sellout crowds in France and unprecedented interest on TV and social media. The worldwide viewership for the final was greater than that of the 2018 men’s World Cup final.
“It was amazing to see so many fans travel so far to Europe to support us,” Ertz said. “The final was unreal. It definitely felt like a home game, and that’s a testament to people supporting women’s soccer.
“So many people have come up me and said, ‘Thank you so much for shedding a light on women’s sports and women’s soccer.’ We’ve met so many young, amazing girls that are wanting to play soccer, and I think the numbers keep going up year in and year out. We’re here to make an impact on and off the field.”
The players are doing just that. Some, like Naeher, prefer to let their actions do the talking, while others like Ertz and star forward Megan Rapinoe are more outgoing and outspoken.
For Naeher, the World Cup was an introduction, of sorts. Long overshadowed by Solo, Naeher finally got a chance to shine on the biggest stage, and she made the most of it with her stellar play.
The most memorable moment for Naeher came in the semifinals, when she saved a penalty kick to preserve the Americans’ lead over England. She was swarmed by her teammates afterward as if she had just scored a goal.
“I usually don’t get to celebrate the goals, so that was really different,” Naeher said. “We’ve been a special group, and those are the moments that we’ve gone (through) on this journey together.
“Whether it’s someone scoring a goal, or a center back or outside back making big tackles or blocking a shot, those are the moments we celebrate because we can see the preparation and the hard work that goes into it.
“We’ve always had each other’s backs. That’s what we see in those moments.”
Naeher was asked what she sees and feels in such big matches and how she handles her emotions in such situations.
“I think in the moment it’s just another game,” Naeher said. “It kind of has to be to maintain the focus.
“I think there’s time afterwards to kind of reflect and take a deep breath, even if it’s just standing on the field for a little bit longer afterward and taking in the moment and enjoying that part of it. But I think during the actual game it’s just another game and the focus is on how can we win this one. There’s time for reflection afterward.”
The reflection will come in the days and weeks ahead, although the magnitude of the victory hasn’t really sunk in yet for the players, who have had a whirlwind two weeks that saw them feted with a parade down New York City’s Canyon of Heroes and a trip to the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles.
“I think whirlwind has been a good word to describe it,” Brian said. “It’s been really fun to come back and see all the support that we have.
“It’s been fun to meet different people and speak with them about how much they love watching us and how much they want to support women’s sports now. But it’s also great to get back to your own bed and driving your own car.
“It’s good to be back here and having a new focus on Sunday’s game and the games after that.”
Soccer-wise, the focus is to make the gains in popularity and attendance permanent. The 1999 World Cup win led to the creation of the first pro league, the WUSA, in 2001, but it lasted only three seasons.
The 2015 victory solidified the existence of the NWSL, then it its third season, though the league is highly dependent on the support of the United States Soccer Federation, which pays for the salaries of all the national team players.
The success of the '19ers could be the linchpin for the long-term viability of women’s pro soccer as well as the growth of the game in general.
“It just feels like such a different journey,” Brian said. “This time around the biggest difference was obviously the soccer piece, but a year before the World Cup there were (national team) games, and we would be happy if we got 10,000 people at a game.
“I think it’s awesome to be able to see the growth in such a short time, not just on the soccer field. but that we’re reaching so many different types of women who are pushing the ceiling forward.
“I think it’s so cool to be a part of something beyond soccer. For me, that was the biggest thing from 2015 to 2019. Everyone is taking notice that women’s soccer is here to stay, and it’s not just soccer but women in general.”
Indeed, the team has captured the political zeitgeist of the country, especially in their fight for equal pay. They have sued US Soccer to gain equal pay and better working conditions, a stance that has resonated with the general public. The players and federation have agreed to mediation over the matter.
NWSL annual salaries range from a minimum of $16,000 to a maximum of $46,000 though some top national team members earn more than $100,000. In other words, the women earn salaries typical of most American workers.
Those earnings are a far cry from top male professionals in soccer and other popular sports, a fact Ertz is more than familiar with. Her husband, Zach Ertz, is a star tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles who has a five-year, $42.5 million contract, which includes $21 million in guaranteed money.
The Ertz household has two of the best athletes in the world in their respective sports and both have won their sport’s ultimate championship (Zach helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl in 2018. However, the NFL minimum salary is $495,000, over 30 times that of a women’s soccer player with the same standing. The average pro football salary stands at about $2.7 million.
Julie Ertz said her husband is steadfastly in support of his wife and her teammates.
“He supports our team and wanting to grow the sport,” Ertz said. “He knows how much sports can truly unite a country, and there’s so much good that comes out of sports for both women and men.
“And for young girls, he knows just how important it is. He sees young kids love his sport as well.”
The husband and wife have each published children’s books this summer and work to make a difference through their Ertz Family Foundation, which they established last year to help people in need. They attend each other’s games and are active in their communities.
“In our careers, we want to make an impact both on and off the field, especially off the field,” Ertz said. “He sees firsthand how much sports truly can be a special moment for young kids to dream.
“He loves watching our team play, and he wants to continue to help grow the game and women’s sports in general.”
As Naeher pointed out, the equality issue goes far beyond soccer. It affects every industry and all aspects of society. That’s why she’s proud to be part of the fight.
“I think it’s part of a national conversation in every way,” Naeher said.
“I was just talking yesterday to other people in different professions, that women after 25 years of experience, they’re still getting paid 30 to 40 percent less than what their (male) colleagues are getting paid.
“Obviously, soccer and sports is one aspect of it and that’s the role that we fall into being athletes. It’s a very large conversation, and I think we can continue to make strides in that.”
Strides have been made since that day 20 years ago when Naeher watched the '99ers bring women’s soccer into the limelight and fuel the dreams of untold thousands of young girls. But the path is not paved with gold and the journey is far from over.
“It’s not going to happen overnight,” Naeher said. “But I think as long as we continue to have the conversation and people are still talking about it, we’re taking steps in the right direction and progress is going to be made.”