An amazing book! I absolutely love the USWNT and getting to learn about all of their fights for their rights was enlightening. Not everyone knows that they have been fighting since the beginning and this book sheds light on their struggles. ( )

I loved this book and didn't want it to end. I thought I knew a lot about the USWNT but this book taught me so much. Not only does this book share the the behind-the-scenes scoop on the team's pursuit to win tournaments and play great soccer, but it also pulls the curtain back on fights for fair treatment and equal pay that have been going on for decades. So many stories would've never been shared without this book, and they are important stories to tell. The author did so much thorough research in a huge list of citations, but she also interviewed so many players, coaches and lawyers directly who shared first-hand accounts of everything. This is 100% the definitively telling of the USWNT's story.

What I also love is that my mom, who is familiar with the team but isn't necessarily a "fan" also read this book and loved it. She found it fascinating from a historical perspective and because of the themes of equality. You don't need to be a diehard USWNT fan to love this book. I highly recommend it. Overall, I thought this was an easy and fun read, and anyone who roots for the USA women's national soccer team should like it. ( )

The National Team (not the newest version) is about well, America's Women's National Team throughout the years up until 2015. The Women's National Team was an accident. It was made to sponsor a FIFA tournament. Women's soccer was quite controversial even when it was first incorporated into the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. The third World Cup in 1999 was quite important as it was held on home turf. It was not really publicized by FIFA or America for a matter of fact. This was rough for the team since they did not have the support of their country. Even with that they still practiced and fought hard and managed to snatch the gold medal. After this women's soccer in the US boomed. It was much more popular after the inspiring win. Though pay and treatment towards the women players did not change, as it still is. The US women's soccer team still continues to outperform the US men's team and the treatment is still yet to change. Though as I said the book does not cover the most recent FIFA World Cup.

I really enjoyed this book. I play soccer and enjoy keeping up with teams and behind the scenes and such. There were some things I didn’t know about such as treatment and pay (just for example). This book was very well written and filled me in on everything not up to date but close enough. There is another book with an extension of the most recent FIFA World Cup. The book took me a bit longer to read as many other non-fiction books do, but it was still pleasurable to read. I'd give it an eight out of ten because there were some times where it was slightly boring and I felt there were things that weren't really necessary. But I learned a lot and it was fun to read. ( )

I think this is a very important book. It's a testament to workers' power, the power of collective bargaining (which is a chapter title, btw). The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team has achieved so much off the field as well as on it, in terms of fighting for equality in pay, working conditions, and opportunity. I'm very glad I read it. For me, it wasn't a page-turner. Maybe it was the scope of the book, which covers events from the 1980s to present-day. ( )

I enjoyed this book, and learned a lot about the history of women's sports in the US. We owe a lot to Title 9, and to the women from the US Women's National Team, who fought for more recognition and opportunities for women in sport. This had an impact on women in other sports and also globally. Murray does a good job detailing the history, giving information about the personalities and the issues that impacted the USWNT. Recommended for anyone who enjoys sports writing. ( )