If there’s one debate that never seems to take a timeout in the soccer world, it’s the endless comparison between men’s and women’s soccer. But this time? It’s women’s soccer vs. women’s soccer, and the numbers will leave you speechless. Flashback to February—when the USWNT, powered by game-changers like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, finally secured equal pay after years of relentless fighting. It was a massive win, not just for them but for the sport as a whole. But here’s the kicker—while the American squad is cashing in $8,000 per game plus a sweet $10,000 bonus for each win, their opponents? Let’s just say their paychecks look like pocket change.
During the SheBelieves Cup match between the USWNT and Colombia, broadcasters dropped a jaw-dropping stat: Colombia’s players are pulling in just $80 per day for the entire 10-day tournament. No extra zeros. No hidden bonuses. Just eighty bucks. As wild as that is, it’s just another chapter in the never-ending saga of pay disparity in soccer. The USWNT may have broken barriers, but the financial divide between federations is still glaring. And let’s not forget the age-old conversation that keeps coming back like a boomerang—the gap between men’s and women’s soccer. This time, the debate got a fresh twist as Hollywood stars chimed in, inspired by USWNT legends who refuse to let the conversation fade.
On a recent episode of The Handsome Podcast, soccer queens Christen Press and Tobin Heath hit the hosts—Tig Notaro, Mae Martin, and Fortune Feimster—with a deep-cut question: “Are you a sports fan? What teams do you support? And do you feel like sports were made for you? Are the commentators, players entertaining for you? Are they calling in women, non-binary people—our demographic? Why or why not?” Whew. Talk about making people think. And Mae Martin? They had a lightbulb moment right then and there.
“When they were asking the question,” Mae admitted, “they were like, do you feel like the commentators and things are for you? I was like, oh, I never thought about that. Yeah, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a sort of queer or non-binary or… I don’t hear many female commentators.” And that wasn’t even the half of it. Mae went on to confess that, despite loving soccer, they had mostly tuned in to the men’s World Cup, the Euros, and the Premier League because, well, that’s just what was always on when in pubs with friends. But then? Everything changed.
“Now it’s finally—people are playing in pubs,” they said, “and I got really into the British women’s soccer team.” And what they saw? Absolute magic. The skill. The precision. The grit. And best of all? “They’re not faking injuries every five seconds.” Unlike some of the most dramatic men’s matches—where a light breeze can send a player somersaulting to the ground—the women’s game felt more real, less about ego, and more about pure, unfiltered talent. Mae put it best: watching women’s soccer? “Such better TV.”
Let’s be real—Christen Press and Tobin Heath don’t need much of an intro. But hey, let’s hype them up anyway! Press? She’s a goal-scoring machine, rocking 155 caps for the USWNT, sitting ninth all-time with 64 goals, and flexing her Hermann Trophy win from 2010. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, she basically rewrote the record books at Stanford Cardinal, owning both the all-time scoring and assists titles. And then there’s Tobin Heath—the artist with the ball, the definition of smooth. Olympic gold? She’s got two. World Cup titles? Oh, just a casual two more.
Add in a silver and a bronze, and you’ve got a player the U.S. Soccer Federation once called “perhaps the USA’s most skillful player.” Yeah, that checks out. And Mae Martin? Please. They don’t need an introduction—if you know, you know. They’re the comedic genius behind Feel Good, earning a BAFTA nod for making us laugh while hitting us with all the feels. Absolute icons, all three. But coming to women’s soccer, it has definitely changed and grown over the years.
Women Soccer scenes over the years!
The women’s soccer has been a long journey from the late 19th century when the game was prohibited to women. The first documented event was in 1895 in England but it was followed by major setbacks such as the English FA’s rule that barred women from playing on league grounds in 1921, which remained in force for five decades. Even so, the game’s popularity was undeniable, with events like the 1922 Dick, Kerr’s Ladies FC match drawing over 53,000 fans. After World War II, social norms pushed women further from competitive play, making it even harder for the sport to grow.
Paris 2024 Olympics – Football – Women’s Gold Medal Match – Brazil vs United States – Parc des Princes, Paris, France – August 10, 2024. United States coach Emma Hayes celebrates winning gold with players after the match. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
The change began in the 1970s with the changes in gender roles and the availability of sports for girls. The women’s FIFA world cup took place in 1991 and the Olympics in 1996, which paved way for the game to go to the international level. Now there is NWSL and WSL, and 2019 Women’s World Cup has set records in terms of viewership. However, there are still some issues, for instance, in some areas where the support and the culture aren’t favorable for the advancement.
However, even today, the gender pay difference remains a significant problem. Women’s soccer faces financial disparities, often justified by lower revenue and sponsorship deals. However, players argue that the lack of investment limits growth, creating an unfair cycle. Forces such as the U.S. Women’s National Team demanding equal pay have made a difference, and it is clear that women’s soccer should be treated no differently and paid equally for their work.
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