Fox Sports is reporting that the game between the United States and Nigeria this week garnered the largest viewing audience of any Women’s World Cup Group Stage match in history, and the third largest of all time. Only the finals in 1999 and 2011 have drawn bigger American television audiences.
The game itself was less than stunning, a statement with which my Pucked in the Head compadre Chris Withers will be happy to concur. With a berth in the knockout rounds almost guaranteed, the US played a conservative, defensive game. They were more content to limit Nigeria’s forward movement than to create any of their own. Consequently, keeper Hope Solo had little to do but wave at her adoring fans and glare at the officials.
What was nothing short of electric, however, was the atmosphere, thanks to more than 50,000 fans singing, screaming and chanting for their idols on the field. There were thousands from the Cascadia corridor, of course; Seattle and Portland regularly send loud, proud supporters to Whitecaps matches, so we expected them to represent at this here Women’s World Cup. Joining them, though, were people from Tampa and Des Moines, Tallahassee and Denver. The entire contiguous United States, in fact, seemed to have representation on the streets of Vancouver. And, in stark contrast to the ugly American stereotype people around the world are so gleeful to perpetuate, every man, woman and child I met on Monday was friendly, respectful, and above all else, bucketloads of fun.
Alas, the team didn’t play with the sense of joy or determination that, say, Cameroon or Switzerland employs. Abby Wambach’s goal was a well-executed volley, sure, but it came as a result of an uninspired set piece after little buildup. Sadly for these passionate fans in red, white and blue, the States won’t have much of a challenge in their next game, either. They play Colombia, whose only win in the Group Stage came in a shocking 2-nil decision over the French. Les Bleues dominated possession, and outshot Colombia 21-3, but ultimately failed to get a ball by keeper Sandra Sepulveda. Colombia countered twice, and scored on both opportunities. The States is unlikely to fall to that rope-a-dope routine.
Canada, for its part, will have its hands full with Switzerland, who gave the defending champion Japanese all they could handle.
Here’s a slideshow of my photos from the tournament thus far. Look to Flickr for more.