In a well executed and dominant performance, the U.S. Women’s National Team was able to fend off China in order to advance to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Semi-Finals. On Tuesday night, the team will be going up against top team and powerhouse, Germany, in hopes of playing for the World Cup trophy that has been long over due. Since the significant and memorable victory in 1999, the US Women’s team has come extremely close in winning one of the most prestigious titles in the soccer world, but unfortunately has not been able to seal the deal since. After years of development, persistence, and determination, the US has become to be known as a team with a stacked roster, a winning nature, and one of the best teams in the world. However, with being the best, and as we see everyday, the media has the ability to either support or distort public perception. Unfortunately, this National team, that has proven to be a successful group, has been criticized on numerous accounts for the drama off the field instead of being supported for the playing being done of the field.

Now, I’m not saying that every media outlet has done wrong by the National team because there are multiple groups and people around the country who have shown incredible support. And that says a lot for a women’s soccer team in America. Being a soccer player, I am so impressed by the huge amount of people who have been attending the US’s games in Canada because it shows (FINALLY) that women’s soccer is beginning to gain a better following and being respected as a worldly sport. In a modern day time, when more women are finding, striving and succeeding in being equal in sports, I am perplexed as to why other people and groups in America are choosing to write articles and discuss some of the more personal or dramatic events of these athlete’s lives instead of focusing on their athletic ability on the field.

For example, all the new allegations about Hope Solo, the comments about the turf fields made by Abby Wambach, and the critiques of Jill Ellis’s decisions seem to be what a lot of news outlets chose to write and talk about when it comes to the Women’s National Team. Yes, we all know Solo is a controversial player when in comes to the media and in Pia Sundhage’s words a “piece of work” (USA Today Sports June 2015), but why slam her for her personal life when she is co-leading the defense by only conceding one goal in five games during this world cup? Clearly, nothing is affecting Solo but when it comes down do it, what’s the point of criticizing her personal life when, at this time, she is focussing on her game to bring the cup home? the beauty of being an athlete is that we can leave all the personal stuff to the side and be emerged in the game we love.

I understand and get that some of the coaching decisions and strategies have been a little odd and there haven’t been nearly as many goals scored as anticipated for this team, which is what Jill Ellis is being highly critiqued for by commentators and writers. My answer and opinion to that: the game of soccer is much more than the goals scored. Yes, I think the US should be finishing opportunities more but when it comes down to it, there are more teams around the world that are improving their programs, making it more difficult to just score a goal. The days of ’99 are long over and every team the US plays is a competitor so it is not realistic for this US team to be scoring four or five goals a game. Honestly, winning a game by a goal or two is already impressive, which is what the US team has accomplished thus far. The US team, regardless of coaching decisions or formations, have shown that they can come out with the win.

So, if a team is winning and being successful, as much as the U.S. Team is doing, why can’t we all as a nation, come together to support their success and continue to follow them throughout every game in the World Cup? Regardless of any outside drama, comments made by players from other countries, or even our own American citizens, this U.S. team is doing something huge for this wonderful sport and they deserve the same respect as any other successful American team.