Thank God for the Women's World Cup

No, I really mean it. I know I have been down on Women's team sports in the past (individual sports are of a completely different breed in my opinion), but I feel that the Women's World Cup can fill the void of a major tournament in the year just after the Men's World Cup and right before the European Championship.

These years (2007, 2011, 2015 etc.), especially in the summer, are rough years for sports. We get all the usually Football/Soccer action, American sports are in full swing as well as the great tennis tournaments, but during these years we miss the greatness of non-annual tournaments.

I know many people are going to scoff at this and think I am talking madness as I ignore Copa America and the Gold Cup. Yes, they are big tournaments (well, not so much with the Gold Cup but it does get the winner into the Confederations Cup so...), but they don't pull in the average fan like the Olympics, Men's World Cup and the Euros.

But thank god for the Women's World Cup filling this year with potential amazement. It can pull the hardcore soccer/football fans, but also the most causal fan because of the mystery that surrounds the game for most people.

The first two games were filled with some fantastic play and some equally amazing mistakes.
France v Nigeria 1-0: France may have won, but their defense was anything but impressive. I know a win is a win, but not when you have Canada and Germany looming.
Germany v Canada 2-1: Germany dominated most of the match showing why they won the last 2 cups but also showed some cracks. Canada played some decent football and could save stolen a draw.  I would put Germany's faults down to the great potential Canada has then actual faults in Germany's game. The Canada-France match is shaping up to be a good one.

Will I follow women's soccer after the World Cup ends? Probably not. But I have gained a greater respect for their game and it has filled the void that is a post Men's World Cup year nicely.

-Max