The evolution of women’s sports is ever-evolving. The sports industry is making immense strides in breaking the barriers to equality in sports today. Little girls worldwide look up to their role models and can say, “I want to be like her when I grow up.” Little girls in Southern California can say that about the sport they love: soccer.
San Diego Wave, a professional women’s soccer team based in San Diego, has smashed the sports industry and is making immense changes in the sport.
San Diego Wave recently made some new adjustments to the roster, and the coaching staff has developed the next stage of the team to hopefully take home another NWSL shield for the team. According to forbes.com, now in their third season, the Wave have lifted two trophies as they won the 2023 NWSL Shield, which is awarded to the team with the most wins of the regular season, along with the 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup title. This team has already accomplished impressive stats and achievements for only its third season. The team’s appetite to succeed motivates all fans watching, including little girls nationwide.
Also, according to Soccerwiz.com, San Diego Wave FC has significantly impacted the growth of women’s soccer, both in the U.S. and internationally. Their success has helped raise the profile of the NWSL, which continues to be one of the most competitive leagues in the world. The Wave’s all-around atmosphere as a team and the fans have helped grow the NWSL in significant manners, San Diego takes so much pride in this team.
March is National Women’s History Month, celebrating all the fantastic achievements women accomplish yearly and how they continue to break barriers.
There is a spotlight here at Cathedral Catholic: Genevieve Phung, who is a CCHS student who is on the Dons varsity women’s soccer team. Phung has been a soccer player for as long as she can remember.
Phung had some words about her journey through youth soccer and her love for the game: “What inspired me to pursue soccer as a career was because I started to play when I was little. My passion started when I just turned seven and started playing club. And as I started to play the sport more and more. I fell in love with it.”
Phung knew as soon as she started playing, this would be her sport for a long time. Phung also touched on the expectations associated with youth sports.
She stated, “I think as time goes on, the competition grows closer and closer towards a young age. The pressure to be great continues to grow. I have seen girls at age five already putting in so much work and many hours. It shows how much this sport has changed and how young girls feel obligated to make soccer their priority at such a young age.” Phung’s words give some insight into her love for the game but also the pressure it brings being in a competitive environment.
San Diego Wave has been an outstanding example of embodying the love for the game and evolving the next generation for greatness.
Overall, during National Women’s History Month, we commemorate all of the tremendous things that women have done in the past and present. S
an Diego Wave is an extraordinary example of breaking barriers for women’s soccer and continuing to halt gender norms in today’s society. The Wave is inspiring so many people to not only love the sport of soccer, but also know that they can make it far in the sport they love.
