Women's soccer has come along way since 1921, when England's Football Association, threatened by big crowds attending early women's matches, banned the sport as "unsuitable" for women. Spurred by the lifting of the FA ban in 1971 and Title IX legislation passed in the United States in 1972, women became full participants in soccer. In 1991, 12 nations sent teams to compete in the first FIFA Women's World Cup in China.
United States
While the U.S. women's team, formed in 1985, won the 1991 cup, it was their gold medal performance at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics that made Americans take notice. The U.S. women's teams of the 1990s, especially the version on display in Atlanta that drew a then-record crowd of 76,481 to a match against China, featured a fluid game with powerful goal kicks from Briana Scurry, speed from Mia Hamm, relentless midfield work by Julie Foudy and a defensive wall anchored by Brandi Chastain and Joy Fawcett. Continued excellence keeps the USA ranked No. 1 as of 2011 by FIFA, soccer's international governing body. The U.S. women also won the 1999 Women's World Cup at the Rose Bowl in California, with 90,185 in attendance, as well as Olympic gold in 2004 and 2008.
Germany
Ranked No. 2 in the world as of 2011, Germany will defend its World Cup wins of 2003 and 2007 on home soil in 2011 when it hosts the Women's World Cup. The German Football Association officially kicked off women's play in 1970 and the national team first played in 1982. Germany also claimed the 2005 and 2009 European Championships. Leading players for Germany in the 1990s and 2000s include forward Birgit Prinz, with a record of 13 goals in the 2007 Women's World Cup; imposing goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg, an energetic figure with punk rock hair; and versatile midfielders Bettina Weigmann and Maren Meinert.
Brazil
Brazil's women, ranked No. 3 as of 2011, were runners-up in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics and the 2007 World Cup. Creative forward Marta has been named FIFA Women's World Player of the Year five times in a row, most recently in 2011. Marta worked in the 2000s with forward Cristiane and midfielders Daniela, Formiga, Maycon and Pretinha. Brazil's top soccer athletes also compete in the Women's Professional Soccer league in the United States.
Sweden
With a runner-up finish at the Women's World Cup in 2003, third place in the 1991 cup and fourth place in the 2004 Olympics, Sweden looks to break into the top three should any of the giants falter. Japan, Norway, Canada and France also have their sights set on getting there. In 2010, Sweden, ranked No. 4 in the world, and the United States played a pair of "friendlies," or exhibition games, to tune up for the 2011 World Cup, resulting in a 3-0 U.S. win and a 1-1 tie. Retired as of 2009, the compact but tireless and creative forward Hanna Ljungberg, top scorer in team history with 72 goals, worked in tandem with forward Victoria Svensson. In 2004, Sweden honored both with commemorative stamps.
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