USA Women's Soccer Wins Gold Without Star Players

In a historic moment for the United States Women's National Team (USWNT), the squad clinched Olympic gold for the first time since 2012, marking their first appearance at the Olympics in 16 years without star player Megan Rapinoe. The absence of Rapinoe, along with other controversial figures like Becky Sauerbrunn and Alex Morgan, seemingly contributed to a surge in American viewership. The final match against Brazil attracted an average of 9.0 million viewers, the highest for a soccer final since 2004, significantly surpassing the 4.35 million who watched the 2012 gold medal victory led by Rapinoe. The USWNT's recent struggles, including failing to reach the finals in the last two Summer Olympics, have led to a shift in public sentiment. Many fans expressed difficulty in supporting a team perceived as critical of the United States, with Rapinoe often cited as a divisive figure. A recent column questioned whether it was "un-American" to root against the team, reflecting a growing discontent among fans regarding the players' political stances. In response to their disappointing performance at the 2023 Women's World Cup, the USWNT has embraced a new strategy, focusing on younger players who prioritize soccer over political activism. This change has yielded impressive results, as the team dominated their Olympic opponents, outscoring them 10-2 and maintaining a clean sheet over the final 330 minutes of play. The success of this revamped squad signals a new era for women's soccer in the United States, one that many fans have eagerly anticipated.