Harmonizing the Women's Soccer Calendar: Ex-USWNT Star's Bold Vision
Former US women's national team player Lauren Holiday calls for a unified global calendar to boost the growth and visibility of women's soccer.
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and 2015 World Cup winner Lauren Holiday has issued a bold call for the global harmonization of the women's soccer calendar. Holiday, who currently chairs the ownership group Mercury13, believes that aligning the schedules of professional leagues around the world could be a game-changer for the sport.
Holiday's vision is to echo a recent move by Major League Soccer (MLS), which announced plans to shift to a European, fall-to-spring schedule starting in July 2027. The former USWNT forward suggests the women's game could follow suit or, alternatively, have all leagues play through the summer months.
At present, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States operates during the summer, while many European leagues run from fall to spring. This lack of synchronization can make it difficult for fans to follow the sport globally and for players to seamlessly transition between leagues.
Holiday's Mercury13 group recently completed the purchase of FC Badalona, a women's soccer club in Spain, underscoring her commitment to driving positive change in the industry. She argues that a harmonized calendar would enhance the visibility and commercial potential of the women's game, allowing for better cross-promotion, increased fan engagement, and improved opportunities for players to compete at the highest levels.
The call for a unified women's soccer calendar comes at a critical juncture, as the sport continues to experience unprecedented growth and popularity worldwide. With the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup just around the corner, Holiday's proposal could not be more timely, as the global soccer community seeks to capitalize on the momentum and drive the women's game to new heights.
As the landscape of professional women's soccer evolves, Holiday's vision for a harmonized calendar has the potential to reshape the sport, making it more accessible, engaging, and commercially viable for players, clubs, and fans alike.
Source: The Guardian
