Many of those who witnessed the 2013 Women’s World Cup will remember the United States women’s team 13-0 triumph over Thailand. While that is easily one of the highest scorelines throughout women’s soccer history, a club team from Brazil recently scored more than four times that amount.

On the 28th of September, Brazilian Women’s side Flamengo defeated Greminho in what was a final scoreline of 56-0. This means that throughout the match, a goal was scored less than every two minutes.

This is not the first outrageous result in the world of soccer, however. On April 11, 2011, Australia defeated American Samoa by a score of 31-0 in a qualifying match for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Even more recently, La Liga side Villareal defeated Navata 27-0 in a pre-season friendly in 2009. This was still at a time when Villareal was competing for Champions League qualification, and former Arsenal legend Robert Pires was still a member of the squad.

The largest reported scoreline in a soccer match came in 2002 in Madagasgar, where A.S Adema defeated Stade Olympique L’Emyrne 149-0. This scoreline was not a result of superior skill, however, as the losing side purposefully scored own goals in protest of the referees.

The post Women’s Soccer Team Scores 56 Goals in 90 Minutes appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The United States Women’s National Team was given a stark challenge by a plucky Spanish side on Monday, but they eventually pulled through with a 2-1 victory to send them on to the quarter-finals of this year’s World Cup.

The Spanish women played physically and pushed the USWNT to its limits, but were ultimately unable to pull off what would have been a shocking upset thanks to the two penalty kicks that they conceded in the game.

The first goal was scored by the United States with only 7 minutes gone in the first half of the game. Spain’s Mapi León fouled Tobin Heath in the box, and USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe opened the scoring.

Spain wasn’t intimidated, however, as they came back to score after a Jennifer Hermoso strike only two minutes later to tie the game at one apiece.

The score remained there until a controversial penalty was called in the USWNT’s favor in the 70th minute of the match. Spanish defender Virginia Torrecilla appeared to lightly graze Rose Lavelle’s shin with a challenge, a dubious penalty at best. However, after VAR revision, the penalty was upheld and Rapinoe converted once again.

That was enough for a 2-1 victory for the USWNT that was tougher than many expected. Their reward will be a date with tournament co-favorites France on Friday in a blockbuster quarter-finals matchup.

The post US Women Win 2-1 Against Spain to Advance to World Cup Quarter-Finals appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Fans at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid set a new record for attendance at a women’s soccer game on Sunday.

Despite seeing their team lose 0-2 to Barcelona, the 60,739 fans that packed the stadium on Sunday lived an unforgettable experience.

The matchup between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona is considered the biggest women’s rivalry in Spanish soccer, and also pitted the two top teams in the league against one another.

With their win, the Barcelona women drew closer to Atlético at the top of the table. They now only trail the current leaders by 3 points with 5 games to go in the season, setting up a wild chase for the title.

The previous record for attendance at a women’s club game was only 48,121, also set in Spain earlier this season at an Athletic Bilbao-Atlético Madrid match in January.

Women’s soccer fever is sweeping La Liga and Spain, and opening up doors for equality around the world.

The absolute record for a crowd at a women’s sporting event is 90,185, the number of people that watched the United States defeat China in the memorable 1999 World Cup Final at the Rose Bowl.

The impressive crowd in Madrid on Sunday shows that women’s sports are gaining in popularity and respect, and is an example of the steps being taken towards equality in the sports world.

The post Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid: World-Record Crowd for a Women’s Soccer Match appeared first on SportzBonanza.

If you were tasked with naming five of the all-time greatest women’s soccer players of all time, we would confidently bet Mia Hamm would be one of them. But what in particular about this epic soccer star has made such an everlasting impression on the game?

It’s What Happened Off The Field That Counts

For someone who never really liked attention (let alone the legacy she eventually created), Mia Hamm certainly persuaded us otherwise on the field with her vivacious goal scoring ability. But the real essence of Mia was her humbling ability to tear apart defenses and embarrass opponents with complete style and grace.

It’s easy to list her accomplishments as an athlete. From being the youngest player to play on the U.S. National team to claiming FIFA’s World Player of the Year for two consecutive years, her stats provide undeniable proof of her success. But far beyond her accomplishments was her willingness to assume the responsibility of becoming the face of women’s soccer, despite her reserved and timid demeanor.

Flickr

Mia’s talents thrust her into the spotlight at an early age, making her the aspiration of millions of little girls all over the world. Her desire to shy away from cameras and interviews, though, was overshadowed by her recognition of what the sport truly needed to grow in popularity.

Mia told Forbes: “It is important that these young girls see themselves as the future. Sometimes in this day and age of instant gratification, you just assume it is going to be there. Growing up, I never thought I’d play on the National Team or play soccer in the Olympics because it wasn’t there. When the opportunity came, I wanted to play as long as I could. I am optimistic. As a female athlete, you have to be.”

She carried the weight of an entire sport on her shoulders on and off the field.

An Everlasting Impact, Beyond The Wins

Mia Hamm’s everlasting impact on women’s soccer goes far beyond the goals, stats, and wins. It’s what you didn’t see that made her a true legacy.

Mia took on interviews, posed for photo shoots and embraced the media—not for her own selfish incentives, but for the greater good of the sport she loved so much.  Her ferocious competitive nature was only second to her unwavering commitment to her teammates.

“I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team,” she said. “I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion.”

Julie Foudy also referenced this loyalty when Mia was asked to do a magazine photo shoot after the 1999 World Cup. Her response? “I would love to—if I can do it with these four players as well.”

In every acceptance speech and interview (and there were plenty), Mia would spend at least 10 minutes crediting her teammates, friends, and family for her success—not for show, but in true sincerity. She carried the weight of a country on her shoulders, yet never embraced the glory as all her own.

Wikimedia Commons

Mia’s selflessness and grace just made her incredible dominance on the field all the sweeter. In high school, she was invited to the 1987 U.S. Olympic Festival, before leading the University of North Carolina Tarheels to four NCAA Championships. Mia was only 19 years old when she became the youngest team member in history to win the World Cup, and only a few years later set a new record as she netted her 108th international goal.

During her career, Mia won three ESPY Awards, was a five-time USA Soccer Female Athlete of the Year, and joined teammate Michelle Akers as the only women and American’s on FIFA’s list of the 125 Greatest Living Soccer Players.

Her titles and achievements only amplified her greatness, growing her fan bases to one of the largest of any American athlete. While the awards serve as a measurable reminder of all she’s done, her ability to do it all without compromising her character is something fans of all ages can admire.

Mia Hamm defined a new precedent for professional athletes—not only in the eyes of aspiring soccer players, but for millions of sports lovers all across the world. No matter how distant a memory her career may be, Mia Hamm’s essence will forever live on in the beautiful game.

The post Why We Still Think Mia Hamm Is The Greatest appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Many of those who witnessed the 2013 Women’s World Cup will remember the United States women’s team 13-0 triumph over Thailand. While that is easily one of the highest scorelines throughout women’s soccer history, a club team from Brazil recently scored more than four times that amount.

On the 28th of September, Brazilian Women’s side Flamengo defeated Greminho in what was a final scoreline of 56-0. This means that throughout the match, a goal was scored less than every two minutes.

This is not the first outrageous result in the world of soccer, however. On April 11, 2011, Australia defeated American Samoa by a score of 31-0 in a qualifying match for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Even more recently, La Liga side Villareal defeated Navata 27-0 in a pre-season friendly in 2009. This was still at a time when Villareal was competing for Champions League qualification, and former Arsenal legend Robert Pires was still a member of the squad.

The largest reported scoreline in a soccer match came in 2002 in Madagasgar, where A.S Adema defeated Stade Olympique L’Emyrne 149-0. This scoreline was not a result of superior skill, however, as the losing side purposefully scored own goals in protest of the referees.

The post Women’s Soccer Team Scores 56 Goals in 90 Minutes appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The United States Women’s National Team was given a stark challenge by a plucky Spanish side on Monday, but they eventually pulled through with a 2-1 victory to send them on to the quarter-finals of this year’s World Cup.

The Spanish women played physically and pushed the USWNT to its limits, but were ultimately unable to pull off what would have been a shocking upset thanks to the two penalty kicks that they conceded in the game.

The first goal was scored by the United States with only 7 minutes gone in the first half of the game. Spain’s Mapi León fouled Tobin Heath in the box, and USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe opened the scoring.

Spain wasn’t intimidated, however, as they came back to score after a Jennifer Hermoso strike only two minutes later to tie the game at one apiece.

The score remained there until a controversial penalty was called in the USWNT’s favor in the 70th minute of the match. Spanish defender Virginia Torrecilla appeared to lightly graze Rose Lavelle’s shin with a challenge, a dubious penalty at best. However, after VAR revision, the penalty was upheld and Rapinoe converted once again.

That was enough for a 2-1 victory for the USWNT that was tougher than many expected. Their reward will be a date with tournament co-favorites France on Friday in a blockbuster quarter-finals matchup.

The post US Women Win 2-1 Against Spain to Advance to World Cup Quarter-Finals appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Fans at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid set a new record for attendance at a women’s soccer game on Sunday.

Despite seeing their team lose 0-2 to Barcelona, the 60,739 fans that packed the stadium on Sunday lived an unforgettable experience.

The matchup between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona is considered the biggest women’s rivalry in Spanish soccer, and also pitted the two top teams in the league against one another.

With their win, the Barcelona women drew closer to Atlético at the top of the table. They now only trail the current leaders by 3 points with 5 games to go in the season, setting up a wild chase for the title.

The previous record for attendance at a women’s club game was only 48,121, also set in Spain earlier this season at an Athletic Bilbao-Atlético Madrid match in January.

Women’s soccer fever is sweeping La Liga and Spain, and opening up doors for equality around the world.

The absolute record for a crowd at a women’s sporting event is 90,185, the number of people that watched the United States defeat China in the memorable 1999 World Cup Final at the Rose Bowl.

The impressive crowd in Madrid on Sunday shows that women’s sports are gaining in popularity and respect, and is an example of the steps being taken towards equality in the sports world.

The post Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid: World-Record Crowd for a Women’s Soccer Match appeared first on SportzBonanza.

If you were tasked with naming five of the all-time greatest women’s soccer players of all time, we would confidently bet Mia Hamm would be one of them. But what in particular about this epic soccer star has made such an everlasting impression on the game?

It’s What Happened Off The Field That Counts

For someone who never really liked attention (let alone the legacy she eventually created), Mia Hamm certainly persuaded us otherwise on the field with her vivacious goal scoring ability. But the real essence of Mia was her humbling ability to tear apart defenses and embarrass opponents with complete style and grace.

It’s easy to list her accomplishments as an athlete. From being the youngest player to play on the U.S. National team to claiming FIFA’s World Player of the Year for two consecutive years, her stats provide undeniable proof of her success. But far beyond her accomplishments was her willingness to assume the responsibility of becoming the face of women’s soccer, despite her reserved and timid demeanor.

Flickr

Mia’s talents thrust her into the spotlight at an early age, making her the aspiration of millions of little girls all over the world. Her desire to shy away from cameras and interviews, though, was overshadowed by her recognition of what the sport truly needed to grow in popularity.

Mia told Forbes: “It is important that these young girls see themselves as the future. Sometimes in this day and age of instant gratification, you just assume it is going to be there. Growing up, I never thought I’d play on the National Team or play soccer in the Olympics because it wasn’t there. When the opportunity came, I wanted to play as long as I could. I am optimistic. As a female athlete, you have to be.”

She carried the weight of an entire sport on her shoulders on and off the field.

An Everlasting Impact, Beyond The Wins

Mia Hamm’s everlasting impact on women’s soccer goes far beyond the goals, stats, and wins. It’s what you didn’t see that made her a true legacy.

Mia took on interviews, posed for photo shoots and embraced the media—not for her own selfish incentives, but for the greater good of the sport she loved so much.  Her ferocious competitive nature was only second to her unwavering commitment to her teammates.

“I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team,” she said. “I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion.”

Julie Foudy also referenced this loyalty when Mia was asked to do a magazine photo shoot after the 1999 World Cup. Her response? “I would love to—if I can do it with these four players as well.”

In every acceptance speech and interview (and there were plenty), Mia would spend at least 10 minutes crediting her teammates, friends, and family for her success—not for show, but in true sincerity. She carried the weight of a country on her shoulders, yet never embraced the glory as all her own.

Wikimedia Commons

Mia’s selflessness and grace just made her incredible dominance on the field all the sweeter. In high school, she was invited to the 1987 U.S. Olympic Festival, before leading the University of North Carolina Tarheels to four NCAA Championships. Mia was only 19 years old when she became the youngest team member in history to win the World Cup, and only a few years later set a new record as she netted her 108th international goal.

During her career, Mia won three ESPY Awards, was a five-time USA Soccer Female Athlete of the Year, and joined teammate Michelle Akers as the only women and American’s on FIFA’s list of the 125 Greatest Living Soccer Players.

Her titles and achievements only amplified her greatness, growing her fan bases to one of the largest of any American athlete. While the awards serve as a measurable reminder of all she’s done, her ability to do it all without compromising her character is something fans of all ages can admire.

Mia Hamm defined a new precedent for professional athletes—not only in the eyes of aspiring soccer players, but for millions of sports lovers all across the world. No matter how distant a memory her career may be, Mia Hamm’s essence will forever live on in the beautiful game.

The post Why We Still Think Mia Hamm Is The Greatest appeared first on SportzBonanza.