In so many ways, women’s soccer is on the rise. The 2015 Women’s World Cup final drew a record number of viewers and sparked a generation’s fight for equality. Pockets of progress have seeded hope in the last four years since that historic event.
Atletico Madrid fans set a world record for the highest attendance at a women’s soccer club match this year, when more than 60,000 showed up for a match against Barcelona. The Portland Thorns continue to average more than 16,000 fans per game, while NWSL newcomers Utah Royals are making a bid to dethrone them.