The only thing more depressing than free tampons being the most exciting thing in your locker room is knowing, as a professional, that your practice facilities, resources, gear, access to medical professionals, and every other aspect of the game outside of your athletic talent, peaked in college.
Ten years ago, that was the reality of playing professional women's soccer in the U.S. It was an accomplishment worthy of celebration; it meant something, of course. But it wasn't quite the upgrade you thought it would be.
When I played professionally in Iceland, a player from our club's men's team gathered everyone up, men and women, after practice. As his Rolex, or whatever diamond-studded colossus it was, desperately tried to gleam on that dreary, sunless Icelandic day, he announced that he would be donating a significant sum of money to the men's team to renovate and upgrade their locker room. He then explained that his mother, who acted as his (very wise) unofficial financial advisor, told him something along the lines of, I love where your head's at, but you WILL donate an equal amount to the women's team, or else.
My first thought...I want to meet your mom. She seems great. Also, I'm retiring. Couldn't you have done this sooner? My second thought...why did it take your mom chirping in your ear to consider the women's team in your plans for the club's future?
The KC Current have shown us what's possible
We're entering an era of women's soccer in the U.S. where the women's teams aren't just thankful to be remembered, included, and invested in. They're demanding to be a priority on par with the men's team, because anything short of that is unacceptable. The Kansas City Current are envied by the Ted Lasso cast because they've created the new standard.
The Richmond women practically raising their hands to a higher power over free tampons and the fact that their names on the lockers are displayed with something other than Sharpie over roughly torn painter's tape...that's the "bar is set so low you can't even limbo under it" expectations of 10 years ago.
Meanwhile, the KC Current are over here in 2026 with a nursing room - say what? Did I hear a heated grass field? A chef, a world-class weight room, and heck, a deck just to enjoy the downtown views?
The formula's pretty simple. Find people with money who care deeply about women's soccer. Build facilities for the women's team and the women's team alone. Tailor the facilities' offerings to the players' specific needs. And then watch the wins roll in because the players feel valued, mentally supported, and physically pampered.
Yes, that was grossly oversimplified, but the KC Current have proven it's an attainable goal. Though they've struggled on the road, they've unsurprisingly had great success at home. Who wouldn't when your club's put in the effort to say we've got you. The complete player, the total human, that's who's nurtured and developed here at this stunning, purpose-built, world-class stadium and training facility for women's soccer.
Ted Lasso's Keeley might need more than a fuzzy pen, a mildly delusional go-get-'em attitude, and the men's coach for an ex-boyfriend to accomplish everything she's set out to do, but she's on to something. She's chasing a dream that in real life is becoming less a dream and more of an expectation.
So, KC Current, I'm retired, with abs that disappeared somewhere in the course of being pregnant, and two knees that swell up when it's cold, or I'm sitting, or just existing, but I'm available, so sign me, maybe?
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