The last time women’s soccer gained this much national exposure, American Brandi Chastain was topless.The current publicity stems from footage of New Mexico defender Elizabeth Lambert engaging in what most agree is violent and ejection-worthy play. (See video in previous post).
The footage appeared on newscasts throughout North America, spawned Facebook groups supporting and condemning Lambert and even made an appearance on David Letterman, where a male voiceover attempted to “sexify” the clip.
From a theoretical perspective, some gender experts and soccer connoisseurs claim the only reason the occurrence is receiving widespread media attention is because women are engaged in vicious play, and as such, are breaking assumed gender roles. It is not the violence itself that is drawing publicity; it is the fact that women are participating in the violence, thus defying acceptable notions of femininity.
Bruce Arena, the coach of the LA Galaxy and the former coach of the United States men’s national team, said, “Let’s be fair, there have been worse incidents in games than that. I think we are somewhat sexist in our opinion of sport. I think maybe people are alarmed to see a woman do that, but men do a hell of a lot worse things. Was it good behavior? No, but because it’s coming from a woman, they made it a headline.”
For a good article on the matter, check out Jere Longman’s “For All the Wrong Reasons, Women’s Soccer is Noticed” in today’s New York Times.
Elizabeth Lambert is a junior at the University of New Mexico, and plays for their soccer team the Lobos originally from California (too bad for California). So, this loser knows they are going in to a game that they will most likely lose and since they do not have the talent to score they resort to this kind of play, it has very minor thought to it than let’s say passisng the ball through your opponents defense and scoring a goal.
ReplyDeleteThe other issue is the where were the referees, were they all older white men with their tongues out, enamored and unable to call the game objectively (this game had so many penalties that did not get called), I mean what are they getting paid to do. Who has paid these guys off? Do we have to change the game where only women referees can call women games. After watching the video someone was paid off, that is my conclusion.
And Lizzy, watch you back and please stay out of soccer (you real should be banned, the game does not need people like you in it), so many will be gunning for you now. Who knows maybe you were just drumming up business for your “Occupational Therapy practice”, yah good luck with that, I doubt your bed side manner is any different from your sportsmanship.
Say what you will, but that blonde girl took a punch to her back WAY better than any guy in outside of the EPL I have ever seen, but that's more about diving than anything I guess.
ReplyDelete"i play varsity soccer in canada and i've never seen anything quite like it. it blows my mind that somebody is capable of this and i am shocked that she did not get a red card."
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