USWNT: The World Cup is over, now what?

This summer, as the USWNT won the World Cup for the second successive time, our hearts and minds were captured by the best in the world. But that is just the start.

The 2019 Women’s World Cup is behind us, and the United States Women’s National Team have defended the trophy to put the cherry on top of an incredible summer. But while the tournament is on hold until 2023, there is still a plethora of women’s soccer to watch in the meantime.

Most notably is the National Women’s Soccer League, filled with all 23 members of the USWNT roster. Along with the American players, there are other world-class players that spend time in the NWSL, including arguably the best striker in the world, Sam Kerr, who leads the attack for the Chicago Red Stars. 55 players who competed in this summer’s tournament make their club home’s here in the United States.

The NWSL currently has nine teams and is looking to capitalize on the growing momentum of the women’s game to expand into other markets to help develop what is considered one of the best — if not the best — leagues in the world.

And others are beginning to take notice of the growth of the game, more specifically ESPN who recently inked a deal to broadcast 14 games to close the regular season which began in April and is set to end with the championship in Cary, North Carolina on October 27.

Teams in the NWSL are currently in the middle of their season, with Carli Lloyd’s Sky Blue F.C. hosting Kelly O’Hara and Christen Press’ Utah Royals FC to kick off league play after the World Cup on Friday. ESPN will begin broadcasting matches this Sunday when Tobin Heath’s Portland Thorns take on Alex Morgan’s Orlando Pride in the newly renovated Providence Park.

Fans have marveled at the play of many of the World Cup stars, especially from the USWNT, only leaving them wanting to see that talent week in and week out. And the good news is that these players are right in their backyard competing against one another.

And yet, despite the high-talent level in the league, the NWSL is still fighting to stay afloat as they look to the end of their fifth season. The growing interest of the women’s game can only bring good things to help keep the NWSL alive, then, and help it become so much more than we see it today. And recent developments show that perhaps even better things are on the way.

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But before the season ends, fans have the rare opportunity to see clubs from Europe make their way to the States to compete in the International Champions Cup that is scheduled from August 15-18.

The defending champions of the competition, the North Carolina Courage, will be hosting Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and Olympique Lyonnais, who are headlined by star Ada Hegerberg who fans were not able to see this World Cup.

Moreover, fans that also love to watch international competition will only have to wait one year until the 2020 Olympics kick off in Tokyo, Japan, which includes a women’s soccer competition that comprises 12 teams all competing for the gold medal. Last Olympics in Brazil saw Germany earn their first gold medal and the famous early departure of the United States at the hands of Sweden. Next year’s edition will include some world powerhouses, but will not include the defending champions Germany or World Cup hosts France due to their early exits in this summer’s World Cup.

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Another World Cup, then, has come and gone, and the eyes of the world have turned to women’s soccer once again. But the end of the tournament does not mean that the game ends. Fans have the privilege of having the best talent in the world at their fingertips all year long.

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