September 1, 2002

Congratulations to the U.S. National Under-19 Team in becoming FIFA World Champions. Superbly coached by Head Coach Tracey Leone they are worthy winners.

Their mature performance and soccer savvy in this championship was proof of the continuing improvement of the women's game in the United States. The pool of talented young players pushing for recognition at the International level is huge, and it is because of the attention and support that UYSA and U.S. Soccer has given to the girl's game.

Canada's performance was a perfect example for the rest of the FC (CONCACAF) countries of how proper support, both financial and technical, from a national federation can do wonders for the women's game. Their rise in match performance at all ages in less than three years is amazing, yet was predictable.

Unfortunately, except for some improvement shown by Mexico due to players attending and playing for colleges in the States, the other teams of the FC have shown little if any improvement in the quality of their game during the last twelve years. It seems that the largesse given to each of the poorer Federations, and announced by President Blatter during the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Conference, has been used evenly only by Canada. We continuously receive letters from women and girls in both FC and CONNEBOL telling us about the lack of financial support and /or concern for their women's programs and national teams.

Some of those women are the ones who asked President Blatter at that 1999 FIFA Women's Conference if he would add a condition to the money being given, so that a portion could be used for the women's game. They knew from past experience that it would be difficult them to receive much financial support from their male dominated Federations.

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