Men's FIFA World Cup Draws Crowds...But What About the Women's Tournament?

It’s no surprise that the FIFA World Cup elicits a significant amount of attention.

Soccer fans and players, local bars and restaurants alike have been hosting viewing parties all over Montclair, sharing in all of the glorious victories and a number of the crushing losses.

But when the FIFA Women’s World Cup rolls around, the scene is a little different - the sense of camaraderie is stifled.

Maddie Snyder, Montclair High School senior and 2013 Montclair Girls Soccer Captain offers her opinion on the matter.

“Because the World Cup has been around for men so much longer, there's been more time for people to have a sense of nationalism and tradition that goes along with their men's national team,” said Snyder.

An avid soccer player since kindergarden, Snyder plays center midfield and outside midfield and will be playing for the Bantams at Trinity College in the fall.

“The women's game is still developing and it's getting more and more exciting every year,” said Snyder.

Since soccer is celebrated globally, Montclair residents and viewers worldwide root for a variety of teams but The U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) has out-shined the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) team so far.

The USWNT has won the FIFA Women’s World Cup twice, first in 1991 and then again in 1999. Alternatively, the USMNT has qualified for and appeared in every FIFA Tournament, but has never taken the trophy home.

In part because of their successes, Snyder believes that,  “The USWNT attracts a lot of attention and excitement, maybe just as much as the USMNT.”

With FIFA spreading it’s roots far and wide, only time can tell how the next Women’s World Cup will be received. Snyder is excited to see how the games play out.

Snyder is also excited to play soccer at Trinity and plans on enjoying “four years of fun and competitive soccer.”