Fun is the main word I hear when listening to podcasts, game analysis, and any other media to describe the women’s game. I once started counting halfway through a major network’s women's soccer podcast that had 7 uses of fun. That’s a lot for any game analysis.

Women’s soccer isn’t fun.

A trip to Six Flags is fun. Going out with a group of friends to an excellent dinner with margaritas is fun. Axe throwing and beer is fun. A Taylor Swift ERAS concert is fun.

Summer 2025 has been filled with top-level international competitions, Euros, WAFCON, and Copa America Femenil. The Euros saw 657,291spectators creating a vibrant, electric atmosphere, demonstrating the popularity of the women’s game. The Copa America final between Brazil and Colombia saw an exciting goal-fest of 4-4 with a last-minute goal in regulation to send it to kicks from the mark. Goals in all the tournaments were filled with skill, tactics, physicality, speed, transition play, aerial dynamism, and some perfect timing. WAFCON winners, Nigeria Super Falcons, had Dallas Trinity player, Deb Abiodun completed 90 minutes in the 3-2 comeback win over hosts Morocco.

USL SL matches were attention-grabbing because every game mattered, every win mattered, every goal mattered, and the players demonstrated that through their play. In the last half of the 2024-25 season, Tampa Bay and Spokane crept up from below the playoff line. Spokane played spoiler for many teams needing a win, and Tampa Bay went on to win the league. The season ended dramatically with Fort Lauderdale moving through to the playoffs on goal differential.

For the USLSL 2025-26 season, many teams acquired international talent and young players out of top-ranked colleges. A higher investment in players and the game will naturally result in an increased on-field product. Clear vision and understanding of the top-class play, of what was an expansion league last year, will create a more refined product. Advancing the quality of a league with a high baseline in the first season will take it to new, unexpected elite levels

In one episode of The Super Show, we even dub Emina Ekic as the Kevin De Bruyne of women’s soccer because of her pinpoint accuracy in distributing passes to her team. Her mix of long and short, switching the point of attack, slotting a pass behind the defense, or an aerial cross that is chef’s kiss perfection puts her in a stratosphere of players. Ekic is one of many players with elite talent in the league.

Rivalries create must-see games in the leagues. Rivalries are usually an intense match-up with pride on the line. Tampa Bay and Fort Lauderdale are interstate rivals that saw the Sun dominate in the league championship match. Fort Lauderdale will want to get that back this season. Brooklyn versus Dallas saw some of the most thrilling soccer between two of the top-of-the-table teams in the league.

Fun is a lighthearted diversion meant for hobbies or rec league Sunday soccer. Professional soccer is anything but amusing. This level of work, strength, and understanding of the game is anything but fun.

Using the word fun as the main descriptor of women’s soccer is frankly lazy and belittling. Soccer in general can’t be summed up in one word, especially a word that’s overused. The word has pervaded our culture as one of the few ways we describe women’s soccer when it is so much more.

It’s:

Captivating
Thrilling
Entertaining
Physical
Exciting
Intelligent
Aggressive
High energy
Fast paced
Dynamic
Lively
Possessing
Technical
Interesting
Engaging
Attention grabbing
Top class
Elite

- by Danielle Gawronski