The End of An Era for U.S. Women’s Soccer

<p>A few days ago, when the U.S. team was eliminated from the FIFA Women’s World Cup, it marked the end of a history-making run.</p><p>Rory Smith, chief soccer correspondent for The Times, argues that it also marked the end of something even bigger: an entire era that redefined women’s sports.</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/rory-smith">Rory Smith</a>, the chief soccer correspondent for The New York Times.</p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>After 48 games in the Women’s World Cup, half the teams had been sent home.<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/04/sports/soccer/womens-world-cup-knockout-round-preview.html"> </a>And yet the field of potential winners <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/04/sports/soccer/womens-world-cup-knockout-round-preview.html">feels bigger than it did at the start</a>.</li><li>Expanding the tournament was a good idea.<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/30/sports/soccer/womens-world-cup-parity.html"> Just not for the reasons FIFA thinks</a>.</li></ul><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. </p>