SEATTLE _ On July 7, millions worldwide watched a group of U.S. women clinch their first back-to-back Women's World Cup titles. They watched as the national team's co-captain, Reign FC's Megan Rapinoe, led a 2-0 victory against the Netherlands in France.
The celebration of the U.S. victory continued through the next week, as players received extra attention from the media and on social media, participated in parades, toured late-night talk shows and received the Outstanding Team award at the ESPYs.
Since then, the U.S. players have returned to their respective National Women's Soccer League teams, welcomed by sellout crowds and new fans nationwide. Rapinoe became a household name for being the World Cup's MVP and leading scorer, and for her efforts to bring attention to the inequalities surrounding women's soccer.
On Sunday at 1 p.m., Rapinoe and U.S. teammate Allie Long will be welcomed back to their NWSL club, Reign FC, in front of a sellout crowd at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma for the team's World Cup homecoming match against Chicago. Rapinoe said she will sit out the match, citing exhaustion and a sore Achilles tendon, but will be in attendance.
Going forward, the big question is whether the NWSL, and professional women's sports in general, can capitalize on the momentum created by the U.S. women's national team's success. Doing so would require an investment from more than just the athletes.
"I think it's time that everyone else steps up," Rapinoe said.
Another question is whether the usual cycle with the Women's World Cup can be broken. The event captivates the attention of the nation every four years, but after previous World Cups the hype died down fairly quickly following the final match. People turned off their TVs and moved on.
Will it be different this time?
"We're going to see now if we can sustain this momentum," said Storm CEO and general manager Alisha Valavanis, who also is the president of Force 10 Sports Management, which manages ticket sales and service for Reign FC. "Can the conversation turn into action? Will corporate America continue to invest in women and in women in sports? It's about continuing the conversation through action."
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