Women’s pro soccer: How to make it stick this time around

NFL. MLB. NBA. PGA. NHL. MLS.

Most kids in the U.S. could tell you what each of these three-letter acronyms stands for. These leagues are what they grew up with, some more than others, but each permeating awareness enough for them to know it’s there.

What’s more. Many young boys in the U.S. grow up watching these stars. Idolizing them. It doesn’t take a genius to figure this out, and the numbers don’t lie. These six athletes have over one million Twitter followers each, with Lebron James taking tops in this list with over 7 million!

Photos courtesy of twitter.com

All of this to highlight the idea that professional sports in this country have always been a demonstration of what can be achieved through individual dedication and perseverance. Professional sports have a history of giving kids a means to a way out. A way out of a tough neighborhood, a tough family situation, or a tough childhood.

Above all else, professional sports do something even more important.

Sports give us heroes.

So how does the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) ensure that the third time around for women’s professional soccer is a success?

Give little girls something, or more importantly, someone to idolize.

On the heels of two dramatic international tournaments, the Women’s World Cup in 2011, and the London Olympics of 2012, the U.S. Women’s National Team didn’t only give little girls something to cheer about, they gave the country something to cheer about. They drew the attention of the world to women’s soccer, and they made it count.

Returning to the United States, the USWNT then played in their Fan Tribute Tour, making sure that the people of the U.S. did not forget about them, or women’s soccer. The tour was a success. The team played in front of no less than 10,000 people every match, drawing nearly 20,000 at a few venues.

But more importantly, they pounded home some important words.

Alex Morgan. Abby Wambach. Carli Lloyd. Hope Solo.

These women brought soccer, women’s soccer, into the homes of millions of viewers twice in the past three years. And then, when they came back, they reaffirmed the imprint, but this time, they did at home.

The NWSL, in order to ensure their league to be successful, must continue to remind people why they tuned in to watch Ali Krieger pound home the winning penalty kick against Japan in the Olympic final last summer.

They must build upon the huge soccer culture that already exists at the youth level. They need to appeal to the millions of soccer moms, soccer dads, coaches, players, and casual fans around this country who drive tens to hundreds of miles every weekend to watch Mary and Suzie play soccer.

Above all else, the NWSL has to as most coaches would say “play within itself.” Set realistic goals, fiscally, attendance-wise, and in every other aspect, so that it can create an atmosphere that girls and the nation alike can be proud of. And, they need to give little girls what we all dream of from our athletes and leagues.

Heroes.

Alex Morgan is up to over 1 million Twitter followers, and Hope Solo has 667,000.

Looks like the making of heroes to me.