For anyone who says that Philly is not a soccer town… were you at the USWNT Victory Tour game against Portugal last Thursday? My guess is no so let me fill you in on what has happened in the City of Brotherly Love.
Last Thursday, the USWNT took on Portugal in a Victory Tour Friendly. I got to Lincoln Financial Field early, around 5:30 pm, to sit in the parking lot and tailgate with my mother, my girlfriend, and a close friend of mine. What I witnessed over the next 5 hours, was nothing short of amazing.
We packed a simple tailgate. Beer, chips, hoagies, and just sat there talking about life. We saw the gradual increase in the sea of people that would be attending the game. For the night, soccer transcended life. There were no opposing NFL fans tailgating heckling and harassing each other. For the most part, there was one team we were cheering for… USA! Decked out in Red, White, and Blue, we saw fans of all ages supporting the United States. We saw young girls wearing jerseys of Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, and even Mia Hamm. We saw guys wearing those same jerseys too. We were cheering on America’s team.
We did not stay at the tailgate too long, making our long walk into the stadium surrounded by 49,500 other fans cheering for our WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS. When we walked into Lincoln Financial Field, we could hear the excitement and energy from every fan from young to old. As the USWNT roster was announced, each player received an ovation that could probably be heard in New Jersey. The woman PA announcer made sure that the players received the attention they deserved.
When we finally made it to our seats, we stared in awe as the USWNT walked out of the tunnel directly to our left with the World Cup Trophy in hand. Walked out by South Jersey’s own, Carli Lloyd, the players were cheered for the entirety of their walk out. When it all finally quieted down, the stadium was quick to belt out the Star Spangled Banner, something that always sends chills through me especially when nearly 50,000 people sing it.
The game started and, as every one predicted, the USWNT dominated. The amazing thing is that Rose Lavelle, Alex Morgan, and Megan Rapinoe did not even see the field in a 4-0 win over Portugal. Every goal was as if the USWNT won the World Cup Final all over again. The stands erupted and cheered as celebrations from the field electrified the crowd. None, perhaps, more important than Carli Lloyd, our hometown girl, scoring and then proceeding the fly like an eagle under the same side of the field that hosts the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl 52 sign. It was so intoxicating that Allie Long joined in on the flying eagle celebration when she scored. The Eagle isn’t just representative of Philadelphia but of this great country. To see this celebration was something we all cheered for.
At the end of the game, the fans stayed in the stadium. Seeing fireworks and hearing the outstanding mashup of All I Do Is Win and High Hopes echoing through the stadium. As we walked out, it was joy and applause for the team that captured all of our hearts this summer in winning their fourth World Cup title.
Here comes the annoying part of this amazing atmosphere. All week leading up to this game there was the same message on the news, “This is the reason why the 2026 World Cup should be held in Philly”. 2026 Men’s World Cup. The news continuously mentioned how passionate people in and around Philly are for soccer and the record setting ticket sales for the USWNT showed that. The news equated the success of the women’s team to the men’s. Anyone else see the irony here?
US Soccer is not willing to pay the women equally but as no qualms in using their success to boost their bid for the 2026 World Cup. Now I could dive further into this but that is not the point I want to make here. Philly has been a soccer town. Look at our first place Philadelphia Union team. My problem here is that in no news story or Twitter post did anyone mention that having this many fans trek to Philadelphia for the USWNT might signify that the NWSL should expand here. Philly deserves a professional women’s soccer team. Look at the NATIONAL high school girls’ rankings. Two teams Eastern #3 and Shawnee #12, located maybe 40 minutes max from Philadelphia, are in the top 50. Nationally. The fan base, not to mention female players who dream of playing professional, are here. Right in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has housed women’s teams before. It is time women’s soccer returns. Permanently.
Kicked in the Grass 