Error message

  • Notice: Undefined index: nid in views_handler_field_term_node_tid->pre_render() (line 98 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/modules/views/modules/taxonomy/views_handler_field_term_node_tid.inc).
  • Notice: Undefined index: nid in views_handler_field_term_node_tid->pre_render() (line 98 of /var/www/html/docroot/sites/all/modules/views/modules/taxonomy/views_handler_field_term_node_tid.inc).
×

Entertainment

The Incredible Story Of The USWNT's First Games

Women’s soccer has come a long way in the U.S. — and across the globe. In the U.S., the women’s game started out as barely a blip on the radar.

Did you know that on this day in 1985 the United States Women’s National team played their first-ever match? The team played their inaugural match against Italy’s national team in Jesolo, Italy. 

The USWNT gained a large following after the ‘99ers squad won the World Cup and captured the hearts of the American people. Players like Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain became the face of U.S. women’s soccer. 

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Fewer people know of FIFA Female Player of the Century Michelle Akers. She was on that first USWNT squad and scored the team’s first-ever goal back in ‘85. Akers then went on to help the team win the 1991 and the 1999 World Cups. The dynasty came from humble beginnings. Akers spoke with FIFA about that tournament, saying the women spent the night before “sewing the letters U-S-A on to their jerseys” — cast offs from the men’s team.

Embed from Getty Images

The tournament resulted in a tie and three losses for the squad. The first match was a 1-0 loss to the host nation on August 18, 1985. In the second match, Akers made history. She scored the first-ever USWNT goal against Denmark — the game ended in a 2-2 draw. 

The team lost another two matches — 3-1 to England and 1-0 in a rematch against Denmark. After that, the team returned home to an uncertain future. 

But the story doesn’t end there, obviously. The USWNT rose through the ranks over the years and is the dynasty we know it to be. None of that would have happened without the hard work from the ‘85 squad. 

Another beauty born from the ‘85 squad is the ‘oosa-oosa-oosa-ah’ cheer before every match. Back in Italy, during the team's first match, Italian fans began cheering for the USWNT. The fans pronounced ‘USA’ like ‘OOSA’ and thus a tradition began.

Our gals wouldn’t be our gals today if the ‘85 team hadn’t sacrificed so much and worked so hard. A lot of props go to the ‘99ers for their contributions to the game — and rightfully so, they were also amazing — but the ‘85 team deserves some more recognition. The Italians back on that day saw the greatness that was being made. And the greatness hasn't stopped. The USWNT has come a long way thanks to that OG squad.

Videos you might like