The US Women’s National Team (USWNT) is by far the most successful side in women’s soccer. They have won a record four FIFA Women’s World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals. Not only that, but their success on the global stage has set the standard for women’s soccer worldwide.

However, as Bob Dylan famously sang, “The times they are a-changin’.” The gap between the mighty USWNT and the rest of the world has undeniably narrowed. One woman who knows better than anyone what it means to thrive in the American jersey is the legendary Mia Hamm. I recently caught up with her for an EssentiallySports Exclusive Interview to discuss the national team’s fortunes in what has been a fascinating period of growth and evolution for the women’s game.

“The World Has Caught Up”: Mia Hamm on Women’s Soccer’s Global Growth

“We’re seeing the game evolve in real-time,” Mia Hamm said. “It’s incredible to watch the global reach of women’s soccer grow so quickly. Players today have so many more opportunities, and the competition is stronger than ever. That’s what makes it exciting,” she added.

The numbers back her up. The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 set multiple records, with over 2 billion viewers worldwide, a 30% increase from 2019. From my own experience working for FIFA, I was based in Melbourne and experienced the palpable buzz firsthand. These games were the hottest ticket in town, and the stadium was rocking. With the increased popularity, more women are taking up the sport. According to FIFA’s data, registered female players increased by over 50% from 2014 to 2023, reaching approximately 30 million globally.

So, what does this mean for the US? Well, it means their status as the big dogs of the women’s game is under serious threat. It’s a sentiment that’s been building for a while but came to the fore massively at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The team was gunning to win the competition for an unprecedented third time in a row. With enduring icon Megan Rapinoe making her final bow, the stage was set for a grand finish to a legendary career.

But it all went wrong. As Rapinoe’s penalty blazed over the bar alongside two misses from her teammates, the side inexplicably crashed out in the round of 16 after losing a shoot-out with Sweden. It was a shock. The USWNT powerhouse, with all its history and star-studded line-up, unceremoniously ousted—really? To give some perspective, this team had never finished lower than third since the tournament’s inception in 1991.

Fast forward to 2024, and other nations have caught up. Countries like England, Spain, and the Netherlands have made significant strides, narrowing the gap with the USWNT.

As the USWNT continues to navigate the shifting landscape of international women’s soccer, it’s clear that the competition is no longer one-sided. The team’s historic dominance is being challenged by an increasingly competitive field. According to Mia Hamm, a true legend of the game, this evolving dynamic is simply a reflection of the growth in global soccer.

“It’s no secret that the world has caught up with the USWNT. That’s just a fact now. The level of competition has gotten so much stronger, and that’s a good thing for the game,” Mia Hamm told ES.

A New Era of Dominance

Mia Hamm, widely regarded as one of the greatest female soccer players of all time, was a cornerstone of the USWNT’s unparalleled success. Over the course of her illustrious career, Hamm helped lead the team to two World Cup victories (1991 and 1999) and two Olympic gold medals (1996 and 2004). Her vision, skill, and leadership on the field were instrumental in shaping the USWNT into the global powerhouse it became.

As a prolific forward, Hamm scored goals for fun, with her career total of 158 goals and 144 assists holding the record for most international goals by a female player until 2013. When she wasn’t starring in ads with Michael Jordan, she was busy being named FIFA World Player of the Year twice (2001 and 2002), cementing her status as a fixture in discussions about the most influential figures in women’s sports history. Needless to say, if you tried to count her accolades on your fingers, you’d run out of digits pretty quickly!

While Hamm’s teams dominated in her era, she acknowledges the evolution of the game and the rising competition from other nations.

“The USWNT’s legacy is safe. It’s just going to look a little different moving forward,” Hamm continued. “The rest of the world is pushing us, and that can only make us better.”

Hamm’s words reflect the inevitable shift in the sport, as countries around the world invest more into women’s soccer, and the competition grows fiercer. While the USWNT’s legacy is secure, its dominance is now challenged by the rising powerhouses.

Despite the challenges, Hamm remains confident about the future of women’s soccer and the USWNT.

New Rivals, Same Goals!

“The USWNT’s legacy is certainly not at risk, but it’s clear that the landscape of women’s soccer is changing,” said Hamm. “The competition has grown significantly, and it’s no longer just about the US dominating every competition. There’s a lot of talent globally now, and that’s something we have to recognize.”

She continues to emphasize that while the team’s dominance has been challenged, it doesn’t diminish the USWNT’s incredible history or the potential for future success.

“There are new rivalries emerging, and we have to embrace that,” Hamm told ES. “It’s exciting to see the growth of the game and the new players stepping up. The USWNT has always thrived on competition, and we’ll continue to adapt and grow from this,” she continued.

When Hamm talks, people listen. Now a co-owner of Los Angeles FC and Angel City FC as well as a global ambassador for FC Barcelona, the Alabama-born star continues to carry herself with the same grace and authority off the field as she showcased on it.

And while her beloved USWNT side did slip up at the last Women’s World Cup—talk of their demise would be vastly overstated. Let’s not forget, the team bounced back brilliantly with a gold medal win at the Paris Olympics this year. Subsequently, they find themselves back in familiar territory—atop the perch at #1 in the FIFA World Rankings.

The ultimate competitor, Hamm views the rise of new challengers as an opportunity for the USWNT to evolve and find new ways to excel. Her optimism is rooted in the belief that the moments of adversity the team faces will only make them stronger in the long run.

As Hamm looks toward the future of the USWNT, she finds herself excited by the team’s evolution.

“There are new rivalries emerging, and we have to embrace that,” said Hamm. “It’s exciting to see the growth of the game and the new players stepping up. The USWNT has always thrived on competition, and we’ll continue to adapt and grow from this.”

As women’s soccer continues to soar in popularity, the USWNT stands poised to reclaim its status—not just as champions but as trailblazers inspiring generations to come.