San Diego Wave FC Triumphs in Inaugural World Sevens Women’s Tournament
The World Sevens women’s tournament made waves this past Sunday, crowning its second champion as it successfully launched in the United States. This innovative seven-on-seven soccer event featured professional clubs from North, Central, and South America, bringing a fresh twist to women’s soccer.
A Historic Victory for San Diego Wave FC
In a thrilling final held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the NWSL’s San Diego Wave FC defeated Mexico’s Tigres UANL with a decisive score of 3-0. The matchup capped a vibrant three-day tournament, which showcased a total prize purse of $5 million, with $2 million awarded to the victorious Wave. This moment marked a significant milestone in the tournament’s history, further popularizing women’s soccer in America.
Unique Format of World Sevens
This tournament is far from traditional soccer. Matches are played over a concise 30-minute timeframe, split into two 15-minute halves on a smaller pitch. The absence of offsides and the option for unlimited rolling substitutions adds excitement and speed to the gameplay, contributing to an electric atmosphere in Fort Lauderdale. The festive environment was heightened by music and entertaining player walk-outs, creating a lively experience for fans.
Comparison with Other Women’s Sports Initiatives
World Sevens bears similarity to the Unrivaled three-on-three women’s basketball tournament, which was developed by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. Both initiatives have emerged in response to the growing interest in women’s sports, offering athletes additional platforms to showcase their skills during the offseason.
Engaging a Broader Audience
“I know how hard these women’s teams are working to build their clubs and brands,” said World Sevens co-founder Jen Mackesy, who also co-invests in NWSL club Gotham FC. “We see this platform as an excellent opportunity to bring clubs and players to a larger audience.” By enhancing visibility for women’s soccer, the tournament aims to support athletes and clubs as they strive for growth in their respective markets.
Teams and Broadcasts
The tournament featured prominent clubs from various countries, including Club America, Deportivo Cali, Flamengo, Nacional, Toronto FC, and the NWSL’s Kansas City Current. Fans enjoyed live broadcasts of the matches on platforms like DAZN, as well as on cable networks including TNT, TruTV, and HBO Max. The broad reach of the event assisted in attracting a larger viewership, further validating the demand for women’s sports programming.
Future of World Sevens
Sarah Cummins, the CEO of World Sevens, expressed optimism about the tournament’s future. “This is the perfect time to do something unique and innovative in women’s sports,” she stated. The interest from various leagues, such as the NWSL, WSL, and Liga MX, signals a strong foundation for potential growth and collaboration.
Mackesy hinted at expanding the concept beyond the current tournament. “We want to replicate our success while also introducing regional tournaments,” she explained. Such events would provide fans with firsthand experiences of players and teams that may not often receive the spotlight, allowing bench players more time on the field.
Emphasizing Development and Exposure
The World Sevens tournament not only elevates the level of competition but also serves as a critical developmental tool for athletes involved. The provided prize money acts as an added incentive for teams to aim for excellence and increases the stakes of the competition. There’s a vision for extending this format globally, with organizers already seeing significant interest from clubs and leagues around the world.
In a landscape where women’s sports continue to gain traction, the World Sevens tournament has become a noteworthy addition, bringing fresh energy and opportunities to athletes while captivating the anticipation of fans everywhere.
