Former U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder Aly Wagner.
A lot of people have had a lot of things to say about the United States women’s national team’s post-World Cup celebrations and the victory tour which has started in the home stretch of the race toward the National Women’s Soccer League playoff race.
Most U.S. players the better part of two weeks to return to playing for their NWSL teams after winning the World Cup, despite an initial agreement before the World Cup to return to teams after five days. What changed was the unprecedented amount of media attention the team returned home to, including a first-ever New York City ticker-tape parade for a women’s sports team.
But through all the celebrations, many have wondered just how much the NWSL has benefited. Attendance is up since the World Cup, sure, but is the league getting as much from the United States’ World Cup win as it could?
Aly Wagner is more than qualified to speak about the growth of women’s soccer. She played for the U.S. for 10 years, scoring 21 goals in 131 appearances, winning two Olympic gold medals and appearing in two World Cups. She is now an analyst for Fox Sports.
On Wednesday, before the United States’ 7-2 win over Costa Rica, Wagner spoke her mind on U.S. Soccer — players and executives — needing to do more for the NWSL, and she spoke (well, typed) a whole lot of truth:
We can never really get into the meat of important topics on TV in studio because the countdown in our ears limits our airtime.
— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) August 19, 2015
The @NWSL needs to benefit from the WWC win & from the @ussoccer_wnt victory tour. It needs to be a priority.
— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) August 19, 2015
The future success of the @ussoccer_wnt depends upon a competitive, successful, sustainable home league, the @NWSL.
— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) August 19, 2015
Our players need to a place to play, develop and showcase talents 10 months+ out of the year. We can't rely on US Soccer to do this.
— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) August 19, 2015
U.S. soccer can't do this. Inevitably talent will be overlooked, and some players may not thrive under the U.S. coach, but may under another
— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) August 19, 2015
Imagine if there was only a national team for men's football…would we only know about Aaron Rodgers? Would Andrew Luck, Russel Wilson be..
— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) August 19, 2015
Household names? No. We need just enough teams, with the right coaches and visions and different preferences for players to see who rises.
— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) August 19, 2015
Ultimately, players can't only hope for a financially lucrative career by being one of the 18 or 23 who make a world event team.
— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) August 19, 2015
The players on @ussoccer_wnt know this and need to think about the next generation of talent and not just capitalize on fleeting moments.
— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) August 19, 2015
Okay only a few more thoughts…don't understand the scheduling of the victory tour at all. 'Nuf said.
— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) August 19, 2015
One way to grow @NWSL is it has to become trendy, sustainably trendy. Easier said than done, but how about…
— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) August 19, 2015
All @ussoccer_wnt using newly acquired status and getting celebratory friends to come out to matches?? Pretty sure celebrities take selfies
— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) August 19, 2015
With the leverage the players have right now, how about negotiating with sponsors to include NWSL in campaigns? Again, easier said than done
— Aly Wagner (@alywagner) August 19, 2015
Preach. Can we get Wagner her own TV show…please?
