Play On: From Adversity to Advantage through 140 Years of Women's Soccer

AN EXTRAORDINARY HISTORY OF A GLOBAL GAME For 140 years, women's soccer has been a powerful global force and a vehicle for sparking change. That power has shone through 140 years of obstacles and setbacks, bans and ridicule, dismissal and devaluation. Today, investors and audiences recognize the value of women's soccer not because it can raise money for charity or inspire young girls (although it can) but simply because it is good business. This sport and the women who play it have captured the world's attention and will continue to advance the game—and the culture around it. Still, while the sport has advanced in meaningful ways, the challenges facing today's players are not new. Violence, ridicule and obstruction have been obstacles since the game began in the 1880s. Play On explores that history through the lens of soccer's advantage, or "play on" rule: if a player has been fouled but is still in an advantageous position, play can continue. There is no better analogy for the women's game. Despite chronic and outrageous fouls—low to no pay, poor playing conditions, media mockery—women have persevered. In doing so, they have changed the game and the world. This is their story.