2011 FIFA Women's World Cup: 10 Reasons to Watch

Last Sunday the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup kicked off in Germany. It is the fifth time that this competition has been played and every four years it grows more and more.

Let's be honest, this isn't the men's game. It's slower, not as physical, and the same depth is just not there. However, this should not excuse us from taking notice.

All the things that make sports great—high stakes, story lines, and drama—will all be present in Germany this summer. For these reasons and the others I will point out, we should all indulge in the women's game for these upcoming four weeks.

10. Hard Play

The criticism that is often associated with women's sports is that they are too soft. Many men's games such as lacrosse and ice hockey have had the rules altered to better suit the "delicate nature" of the female.

That's not true in soccer. The rules are the same. What's a foul for the men is a foul for the women. The men play hard for a full 90 minutes and so do the girls.

As I am writing this, I just saw a Swedish player run full speed through a Colombian midfielder. The Colombian went airborne and smacked her head into the ground with enough force to daze her.

This kind of incident happen all the time, especially in a competition where the stakes are as high as the World Cup. If you don't think these girls are tough, just watch a game and ask yourself: Could you do this?

9. They're Hot

This is the most chauvinistic reason on the list, but before the feminists turn away, just hear me out.

I am not breaking any major news when I say sex sells. More and more female athletes are doing photo shoots for male magazines and fashion catalogs. And it makes perfect sense why.

First off, they want to help market their sports. If these women want to continue to play, they need to get fans to watch. Even if it is to just oggle them, spectators are spectators to the advertisers.

Second, they can make a little extra cash on the side. Other than a handful of female athletes, most don't make a tremendous amount of money. If they wish to make some more on the side, by putting on a bikini, more power to them.

And third, they have amazing bodies. These women have worked very hard their entire lives to be at this level. A fortunate by-product of being a world class athlete is having an absolutely stunning body. If they want to show it off to the world, why not? They should be proud of it.

Maybe it's not the best way to get people to watch, but if it brings in spectators then I don't see the problem.

8. The Commentators

Sometimes watching an MLS or US men's team game is as difficult on the ears as it is the eyes. Listening to Alexi Lalas' bitter deconstruction of a game that he could never make popular here in the states, gets very old very quickly.

ESPN is broadcasting the games in America and has sent in-house veteran Bob Ley as head anchor, along with former US stars Brandi Chastain, Briana Scurry, and Julie Foudy as the studio analysts.

Play-by-play is headed by the legendary voice of Ian Drake as well as Adrian Healey. They will also be accompanied by former players Alicia Ferguson (Australia), Monica Gonzalez (Mexico), Kate Markgraf (USA), Viola Oderbrecth (Germany), and Kat Whitehill (USA).

These girls combined have participated in every World Cup and have won it multiple times. When they speak, they know what they are talking about. They understand the game, the players, and why this event is just as important as any other in sports.

7. It's on TV

There are basically two games a day starting at 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. EDT. What else is on at this time? I think you can go a few weeks without watching The Price is Right.

If you are on the west coast, the first game is a little early, but you can turn it on while you're getting ready for work. Even while you're at work, put it on your computer if you can. A female boss would appreciate the fact you are supporting female athletics.

And truth be told I think ESPN has done a great job of not shoving it down our throats, but making us aware that it is on.

I remember watching an MLS game a few weeks ago. During the half they played a commercial for the tournament and basically equated it to the same as the men. It's not and I think they realized that and didn't play it again.

Since then they have done an excellent job not trying to make it out to be something it won't be. Casual sport fans won't turn it on expecting something and turn it off when that's not delivered.

6. Good Storylines

The best thing about sports is the story lines that surround the game. Whether it be the hosts trying to repeat as winners, the US squad attempting to regain the crown, or the tiny nation of Equatorial Guinea making waves in its first World Cup, these are the stories that give the games meaning.

5. The Fans

The stadiums won't be sold out and the total attendance won't be anything near what the men get. But nonetheless the fans there are passionate.

You see images from around the stadiums, supporters are decked out in their team colors and constant cheers, horns, and whistles in the stadiums prove that they have loyal fans just as much as any men's side.

4. Depth

When the Women's World Cup first started in 1991, the US won in convincing fashion, scoring a total of 25 goals in six games. Since then, the field of play has gotten more and more competitive. In the five tournaments that have been played, there have been three different teams that have won and five different teams than have been in the final.

When you look at scores, they have become more competitive as well. The days of putting up seven or eight against an opponent are gone and scorelines resemble what is more common in high quality soccer games.

For example Germany (FIFA rank No. 2) vs. Canada (No. 6), Nigeria (No. 27) vs. France (No. 7), Japan (No. 4) vs. New Zealand (No. 24), and Columbia (No. 30) vs. Sweden (No. 5) all were one goal games. The other game that has been played, Mexico (No. 22) vs. England (No. 10) tied at one goal each.

These teams recognized the magnitude of the games and and are stepping up to make it tougher on their opponents.

3. The USA Is Playing

If you are a fan of American sports, it shouldn't matter whether it's men or women—you should be supporting them. These girls are young and inexperienced compared to the previous teams that have dominated women's soccer over the past decade. If this national team ever needed our support, it's now.

Another added benefit to watching the US women is for once as an American soccer fan, you are rooting for a winner. After the debacle that was the Gold Cup final last Sunday (if you want to get my take on it check out my articles on the game), it is really refreshing to be able look at the US Soccer logo and expect a win.

What they have done in the past deserves our respect now and we as a nation should be supporting them from the first whistle, until they raise that trophy in triumph.

2. They Are Really Really Good

"Anything you can do I can do better!"

That's pretty much true when you look at the Women's World Cup. You want an example, just take a look at the goal Mexico scored against England yesterday (start at 0:35).

Goals like this happen with the same frequency in the women's game as it does the men's. There is also great open field play, superb passing, and organized shut down defense.

Just because it does not happen as fast as in the men's game, does not mean there isn't any skill involved. This is the game's top competition and you will find the top talent here.

1. Marta

If you know any one woman's name in soccer its this one. The Brazilian star forward is not only the best woman to ever play the game, she is the most accomplished of either sex.

The list is amazing:

• FIFA Women's World Player of the Year from 2006-10

• FIFA Ballon d'Or 2010

• Golden Ball and Golden Boot in the 2007 World Cup

• 76 goals in 69 games for Brazil

She is often compared to Pele and this isn't at all an exaggeration. There may not be a single other person in all of sports that dominates the game the way she does. Her ability to shoot, pass, run, and dribble makes her nearly impossible to stop.

Many people believe that she is perhaps the only woman in the game that has a chance of playing with the men.

In 2007 Brazil lost to eventual champions Germany in the semifinals. It was Marta's first World Cup and you can be sure she is looking for revenge. With four years more experience, she is ready to guide her team all the way to the trophy.

By the way...she is only 25.