Kid, You've Earned Your Stripes

Rookie Emma Sears Becomes 23rd USWNT Player to Score in her First Cap

You know, I had this whole rationale typed up that the title of this article was from a scene from the Animated Movie, “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights.” But then, I realized that I’m old enough that calling a young athlete kid wouldn’t even raise any eyebrows. I need to lie down, because that makes me feel even older.

Where was I? Ah yeah!

The US Women’s National Soccer Team (Um…the good one) had a come-from-behind victory this past weekend against Iceland. Flipping a 0-1 score line to 3-1, the USWNT is still still unbeaten under new skipper Emma Hayes at 12 matches. However, it was another Emma that grabbed the headlines.

Emma Sears, 23, is a rookie for the NWSL team Racing Louisville. And even though I hate the idea of American soccer teams taking naming European Soccer Club naming conventions to domestic teams, I found myself ignoring that after Sears’ electric performance this past weekend. In her first cap (e.g. appearance) for the US National Women’s Team, she not only scored but as an assist to her tally. On top of that, she did so as a SUB. Talk about not succumbing to the pressures of the big stage. Some highlights.

It takes a lot to step up to the challenge for anyone, let alone a team that’s been synonymous with excellence for the past twenty years. Indeed, USA has FOUR World Cups to its name. Four! The men? ZERO.

And this is wild to me because all the teams I support or follow are somewhere between mediocre, terrible, and just good enough to induce heartbreak. The Brooklyn Nets? A joke. The New York Mets? A victim of the 2024 Shohei Ohtani PR parade. The Houston Texans? Perpetually one step away from something greater. German Bundesliga/Bundesliga 2 team, Schalke 04? Well,

Yeah.

BUT! The Women’s soccer team, man. They’re different! And while other nations are fortifying their women’s teams, the ol’ Stars and Stripes have to keep innovating to stay on top of the rankings. They don’t have Alex Morgan or Megan Rapinoe anymore. We do have Alyssa Thompson, who might be the closest thing we have to DC superheroes The Flash (Jesse Quick?) she’s so fast. And so, to get a win from behind is something that we can build on as we approach the next World Cup cycle.

If Sears and Co. can keep up the form, then things will be lookin’ bright for USA. Here’s Sears’ first pro goal.