Lauren Ceballos / Sports Editor

This year, Women’s History Month includes the celebration of the Women’s Gold Cup. The game is the final round between 12 women’s soccer teams throughout the world.

Professional women’s soccer players practiced at Torero Stadium for the Women’s Gold Cup, which resulted in a win for the U.S. women’s team over Brazil, 1-0.

The tournament began on Feb. 17, with women’s teams playing preliminary games. Games were played in four cities throughout the U.S., including San Diego State University’s very own Snapdragon Stadium. The U.S. and Brazil played the final game on Sunday, March 10, 2024. In order to get to this game, the U.S. beat Canada 3-1, and Brazil knocked out Mexico with a score of 3-0.

The cup is the premier event for women’s teams around the world. This year’s tournament included the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football’s (CONCACAF) top eight teams and four guest teams from the Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol, South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL).

“The U.S. opens Group A play[ed] on Tuesday, Feb. 20 against the winner of the Preliminary Match between Guyana and the Dominican Republic, face[d] Argentina on Friday, Feb. 23 and then close[d] out the group against Mexico on Feb. 26,” according to U.S. soccer.

The tournament allows for winning teams to make it to the finals. Knockout rounds began with the Quarterfinals, hosting the top two teams per group. These teams were decided by their standings and number of points, using tie-breakers for teams with the same amount. 

Games allowed for Brazil to be second in the tournament to reach the Semifinals, beating Argentina, 5-1. Canada passed the Quarterfinals, beating Puerto Rico with an overtime goal, resulting in a final score of 1-0. 

USD sophomore Cindy Avonce shared her expectations going into the final game. 

“I feel good about it. I am happy that the U.S. made it to the finals. My two teams were Mexico and the U.S. Mexico unfortunately did not make it, but I’m happy that at least one of my teams got to make it and I think the U.S. and Brazil are going to be a really good match,” Avonce explained.

Avonce has no preference for men’s or women’s soccer. 

“I like watching both [men’s and women’s soccer]… I strongly support female athletes, because as a former female athlete myself, I think that it’s really empowering to see such strong women on the field, and I like seeing that women play the same tournaments as men do. I think that inspires young girls, like how I was inspired to watch them and how I’m inspired now,” Avonce expressed.

The Women’s Gold Cup takes place prior to the actual soccer season. Avonce anticipates the rest of the season, after the final game on March 10.

“I am very excited, because I think that there [are] a lot of strong teams around the world currently, and so I’m excited to see how that unfolds,” Avonce said.

Prior to the final game, Avonce spotted the teams practicing on Torero turf and attempted to get to their vicinity, but they got on the bus, before Avonce and her friend could talk to them.

“I watched the Brazil women’s national team and the USA women’s national team. Actually, they do practice on the [Torero] field, but nobody knows. I saw them practicing, so that, was really cool because it was ‘on the low’ but it was very cool to see them on the field and practicing before they hit the big stage [at Snapdragon] this weekend.”

USD sophomore Aliya Garrett just transferred to USD and joined the USD women’s soccer team. Garrett shared her feelings about the Women’s Gold Cup.

“I love it, it’s one of those things that seems like an anomaly, so you wait around until it comes, and then when it does it becomes a part of your culture. I also love that it gives a large platform for the younger girls to realize that there is a space for them in professional sports,” Garrett said. 

Garrett shared her excitement for the Women’s Gold Cup. 

“I have loved nothing more than watching the progression of women’s sports. Growing up I never really looked up to female players, it was always the males like Messi and Renaldo, buthereIamnowinmy20s seeing women like Sam Kerr and Mapi Leon who continue to break glass ceilings and inspire my journey. I finally have strong females in my sport who I not only relate to but give me a chance to dream about what my future may look like and how it could realistically turn out. There is no wishing anymore, we as women have the room to finally make it happen because of the women who came before us,” Garrett said. 

While Garrett values the progression of women on the field, she recognizes that there is more work to be done.

 “Of course, I will always want more representation until we are equal, but we have to be careful not to take in the small moments. Every small winisabigwinandwejust have to keep chipping away at it. Women weren’t dealt the easy cards but we most definitely have the ability to use what we have to our advantage,” Garrett explained. 

Garrett views the games in a certain light because of her personal experience and journey to play soccer in college. 

“You know, I used to be a kid who would look up to the Canadian women’s team and just wish I were them. It used to be all about soccer for me, but something changed. There was a moment when I realized I was no longer just fighting for my dreams, I was fighting for every little girl who was told at recess to go be a cheerleader. I was fighting for the girls who sat in class saying they wanted to be professional athletes when they grew up and everyone was laughing. There comes a point where you realize the dream was never really meant for you alone,” Garrett stated. 

The Women’s Gold Cup crowned the U.S. as the winners. The proximity of the games to San Diego excited USD students and athletes like Avonce and Garrett, and continues to empower women in sports throughout International Women’s month.

CONCACAF works with young girls with aspiring dreams like Garrett, to set them up for the Gold Cup. Photo courtesy of@concacaf/Instagram