Under the Lights and In the Dark: Untold Stories of Women’s Soccer

What I love about this book is that its a book that anyone who has any interest in sports should read. From the fanatics who don't miss a single game and read every article on their team to the ones that only watch a game because their partner or families are fans. This book is particularly eye opening for those that don't know much about women's sports or the NWSL. For those of us that do know quite a bit about women's sports and/or the NWSL, it sadly confirms the stories and rumors we've heard for years. I was fortunate or unfortunate, depending on how you look at it, to briefly work in the NWSL and while my time in the league was short, it was so very eye opening. This book really confirmed a lot of what I heard from players and other staff. After my short time with the league I couldn't even watch the games anymore because of how depressing most of the league is. But what this book did for me is reminded me why I fell in love with the league and the players. My first ever NWSL game was a Portland Thorns game. I saw them play the Boston Breakers at Providence Park in the summer of 2014. I hadn't heard of the league or the team, let alone several of the players and my sister, who is not a sports fan at all and hadn't even been to a game, insisted I go to the match while I was in town. I'm glad she got me tickets and told me to go, the game was amazing and the Thorns had a mighty win over the Breakers. I'm a major sports fan and have been to many games across the numerous professional sports league, but I never had an experience like I did at Providence Park. The energy was electric, you could feel the players passion for the game while sitting in the stands and the fans were truly out of this world. I am so glad that Gwendolyn touched on the amazing atmosphere that Portland and the Riveters have created. To be able to get her perspective on the league and the Thorns was great. And not just that, but to hear the stories of players all over the world made me appreciate these women even more. My hope is that the NWSL, women's league all around the world, and all women national teams get the resources and recognition that they need and deserve. I am currently working on trying to get back into professional soccer, specifically working in the NWSL again, despite my horrible experience, because I want these players to continue to live their dreams without sacrificing everything else in their lives. Those players and future ones hoping to be drafted, play for those of us not good enough to play pro, those of us that can't afford to go pro, and for the little girls that dream of making a solid career of playing soccer. Gwendolyn, if you ever write another book on the NWSL or any other professional or semi-professional women's sports league, you can count on me to read your book and to pass it on! Thank you for the incredible insight!

What an interesting read of drive and determination and dedication to the beautiful game. As an Oregon resident and Thorns fan it was so fantastic to read our beloved team and stadium as the road’s end. “By any other name”

This is a good book -- whether or not you're a fan of women's soccer. What we have here is a bunch of stories about the struggles of women to make a living in the minor sport that is women's soccer. Describing women's soccer as "minor" is not derogatory; it's realistic -- and I happen to like the close-up emotions you can have about the sport and its players as contrasted with stories about the distant millionaires who play "major" sports. The most shocking tale here is that of Dani Foxhoven and her season with a mafia-controlled Russian team. This could be the plot of a horror movie -- and it makes me wonder why anyone in his right mind would want to collude with the Russians. ;) Another good chapter is about the elegant Olympian Allie Long. To train and to make a few dollars, she plays indoor soccer with immigrant men's teams in Brooklyn and Queens, showing up several times a week (in her Lexus) to compete in gritty games in high school gymnasiums. Most of the spectators are unaware of her exalted status in women's soccer. She is known simply as "la gringa", "la rubia" (Blondie), and "la blanquita" (little white girl). There's also a movie plot here. There's a good chapter on the fiery Afghan refugee and goal scorer, Nadia Nadim. And a long chapter about the plight of gay women on Christian soccer teams. An excellent read! Smallchief

I love soccer. I am still playing (55 years old) & am a season ticker holder of my home team. I have been following my team since my sixth birthday. Nevertheless, I have always been skeptical of women soccer (never watched a single match). Therefore, I was not sure, if I like the book. My verdict: yes I like it better than expected. The stories are fun to read & shows the problems of women soccer. Especially the first story was very powerful & tragic. Nevertheless, the author always sided with the players & never questioned their life choices (sorry to go to a Eastern European country is more than only naive in the first place). I also hate politics within sports. I am sitting beside a nice gentlemen, when I am watching my home team. We both focus on our team during the 90 minutes. We both love our club. I do not know his political view, I do not know if he is married, hell I do not even know his name. Nevertheless, we have a great time, because we bond on the team. The author's admiration for Portland's fans (especially their politics) is a nuisance. The focus on lesbians has nothing to do with football & makes woman football not more attractive. Nevertheless, most of the stories are great & the sacrifise of those women are remarkable. Thank you for the book, Mrs Gwendolyn Oxenham!

As a fan of good soccer writing, I try and read everything that comes out about my favorite sport. This book was no exception. I loved Oxenham's first book - Finding the Game - and I'd been looking forward to her follow up for months. It did not disappoint. There are memorable characters here. The homeless soccer players of Liverpool, African women playing in Sweden, Portland, and Russia. A dictatorial, abusive, almost cartoonishly misogynistic Russian coach. The lovable eccentrics of Portland. The clash of religion and sexuality in the American South. The great Marta - a sad example of the struggles still faced by women's soccer despite its massive gains in recent years. Each section made me long for more information about its subject - the mark of wonderful reportage and excellent writing. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading about the beautiful game. This isn't a book about women's soccer. It's a book about soccer.

This is one of the best books I have read. This is a book about soccer, not just women. It covers different issues facing people everyday and how we can take encouragement from athletes who have overcome. Every girl and woman who loves soccer needs to read this. If you want to go pro you need to read this and see the challenges that face women athletes everyday. The author brings the players to reality and you get an intimate sense of players from around the world. I am encouraged and so excited. And the writing is fantastic. The book is well edited and well written. This is a must read.

Profoundly excellent. A collection of stories from around the globe that will blow you away. As a fan of the USWNT and the NWSL, this book shines a light on the state of the sport today. One of my favorite books of all time. The thing that really struck me was that these women are so often playing not just to compete and win, but to lift the sport in the public conscious - an incredible burden. They love the game, of course, and more than anything they want to see the soccer "breakthrough" and gain national recognition. Terrific read for anyone, but especially fans of the most beautiful game on earth. I would read these types of stories forever.

Oxenham brings us an excellent, well-written book about women's soccer, sharing the stories of many different women who love and play the Beautiful Game. She tips her hand to her Thorns fandom, but I appreciated that she closed the book with a chapter focused on soccer supporters, as that is a vital element of the Women's Game and its growth & sustainability. I recommend this book to sports fans, especially supporters of the men's game who might not have had the exposure to the grit, dedication, sacrifice, and skill that these women bring to the game of soccer.

une visite au foot féminin intéressante trop rares ouvrages encore en français mais ils arrivent...

An uplifting account of the passion and skill of female footballers (soccer players) from across the world. It doesn't shy away from depicting the problems they face in pursuing their dream (most commonly money, but also the itinerant lifestyle and challenges of living in a new city or country) but it does so principally from an "how these women have endured and overcome them" perspective: a celebration of the grit and determination of these women as they chase their dream.

A really excellent book about the sheer heroism of women footballers across the world. Comprehensive and detailed about their struggles and why they struggle. A rewarding read about their agonies & ecstasies in a sport on the cusp of commercially led change - hopefully for the better.

A little on the easier to read side. My niece is 14 so this book will be a little easy for her to read but I hope it’ll be inspirational.

As a women’s soccer fan, i thought i knee what was what... this book went so far beyond! Must read for any sports fan.