Powerful Women’s World Cup Commercial Goes Viral

The Women’s World Cup began today in Australia and New Zealand, with the two host countries winning against their first opponents.  The French National team has been making the headlines this week on top of an ingenious ad campaign in partnership with the France Men’s National Team, watch it below:

Viral French Soccer Commercial:

The commercial makers used VFX/Autodesk to CGI the players,  which forces the viewer to ask themselves, did your emotions change when you thought you were watching the men’s team vs the women’s?

The great sports tournaments of the world are not so much about the action, but about the emotion.  Maybe that’s a very ‘French’ way to look at things, but for me, the high stakes of world-class athletes achieving their dreams or falling short on the biggest stage..IS the ride I want to see, regardless of gender.

The truth is, that women play the beautiful game, beautifully.

There have been a lot of stories in the press in recent years, about equal pay, and about the perceived superiority of men’s sport vs women’s.  Early in the career of (my favorite player) Rose Lavelle, the Team USA star midfielder couldn’t help but sometimes question spectators’ motivations.

Were they coming to watch her play because they loved soccer and appreciated the beautiful game? Or was it out of pity?

“I don’t know exactly how to say this without it sounding bad, but for so long, sometimes it felt like charity,” Lavelle told USA TODAY Sports. “It was like, ‘Oh, watch women’s soccer. They deserve it. Please do it for these amazing people.’

“I know it’s coming from a good place, but I don’t want you to watch me because you feel bad for me. I want you to watch me because the game is sick, the product is sick, the players are amazing. I feel like that’s where it is now. The fan base is growing because they love watching the product.”

Lavelle is right (she’s also an incredible player).  If you love watching soccer, and you appreciate the heightened stakes of the most important tournament in the world, which only happens once every four years…you’ll watch too, I know I will.

Allez les Bleues!

The USA women open their tournament Friday at 6pm (PST) vs. Vietnam, game is on FOX & Telemundo. 

The French team opens vs Jamaica, Sunday, 3am on FOX & Telemundo

Women’s World Cup screening schedule San Francisco

There will be a total of four screenings in accordance with Team USA’s schedule. Organizers recommend reserving free tickets in advance online, but the events have no capacity limits.

• July 21 – USA vs Vietnam – The Crossing at East Cut at 6:00 pm
• July 26 – USA vs Netherlands – Embarcadero Plaza at 6:00 pm
• Aug 5 – Round of 16 – 14th Ave, East Meadow, Golden Gate Park at 7:00 pm
• Aug 10 – Quarterfinals – The Crossing at East Cut at 6:00 pm