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The US Women’s National Team is the most successful female soccer team in the world. That statement is indisputable but as the rest of the world keeps up there is some doubt that it will be true in the future. Spain’s recent World Cup victory along with women’s professional leagues in Europe flourishing has created a more competitive landscape for the USWNT.
Player development in the US depends on pay to play youth clubs, national youth teams and training opportunities, and top college soccer programs churning out talent. It is a system not without its faults and one that needs to be improved.
To that end, Michelle Kang has donated $30 million to the US Soccer Federation to be paid out over five years. The funds are to be spent on more than doubling the number of female coaches and referees in the country to over 70,000, double the number of national team camps US Soccer will host, and fund a talent identification platform and bring in 12 times the number of girls into the USYNT pipeline.
Kang sees the donation as a way to show the value of women’s sports and raise professional capabilities in soccer.
“Women’s sports have been undervalued and overlooked for far too long,” said Kang. “I am committed to raising the standard of excellence in women’s soccer — both on and off the pitch — by delivering the resources female athletes need to reach their full potential and surround them with the professional support they deserve. I hope this investment serves as ‘seed capital’ and spurs other donors to follow suit.”
The donation will have a huge impact on the women’s game in the USA and raise the level of talent and competition for the sport for the next generation of players, coaches, and referees.