Pioneers of the Game: The Unforgettable Story of the 1985 U.S. Women’s National Team

The history of women’s soccer in the United States and across the globe is riddled with tales of grit and tenacity, fueled by the desire to make change, but more than anything, the love of the game.

While the stories of those who represented the Stars and Stripes in the 90’s have become deeply ingrained in American soccer lore, there were generations of women that came before them, laying the groundwork for the inspiring women of the 90’s to build upon. On the shoulders of pioneers like Jan Smisek and Sue Akers, stood a group of women that would change the game forever – the 85ers.

The group of 17 women leapt into uncharted in the summer of 1985 and never looked back. At the time, there was no Women’s World Cup. Women’s soccer wasn’t part of the Olympics. Though lacking in formal competition at the highest level, what the sport did have was a group of people who were pushing for the next step, pushing for people to take women – and women’s soccer – seriously.

Through the 70’s and 80’s access to sport for women was profoundly increased, as Title IX was enacted. Though it was far from perfect, the pathways for women to continue their sporting careers was widened for the first time.

There were hotspots for women’s soccer around the nation as excitement built for the future of the sport. Regional competitions and fierce matchups all culminated into a pivotal moment in the summer of 1985.

Spurred by the notion that women’s soccer would soon have its own World Cup and spot at the Olympics, the National Sports Festival included women’s soccer as an event for the very first time. The festival, later renamed the U.S. Olympic Festival, was an event hosted in Olympic off-years, intended to allow American athletes to develop in a setting similar to that of the Olympics, particularly providing female athletes a setting to compete in – something that was less common at the time.

Four regional women’s soccer teams competed at the tournament held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that summer – North, South, East and West. Unbeknownst to most of the 70 players in attendance, accomplished coach and Seattle-based metallurgist, Mike Ryan, was tapped to scout the group and select the top 17 players to make the roster for the first United States Women’s National Team.

In the years leading up to 1985, “paper teams” had been selected as a United States Women’s National Team of sorts, but the teams never convened to play a match. This time, things would be different. This time, the women’s game in the United States would be altered forever.

“People had been told they were on the U.S. Women’s National Team before, but the team never did anything. They had never actually played. This time was different. It seemed surreal,” said Cindy Gordon.

Ryan made his selections after the final match of tournament – the players were gathered on the field and listen intently as names were called, eager to participate. In the end, eight players from the West, four players from the South, three players from the East and two players from the North were selected and the 1985 United States Women’s National Team was born.

The patchwork roster of players had very little time to prepare as they were soon whisked away to a training session in New York before setting off to Jesolo, Italy to compete in the Mundialito tournament or “Little World Cup” against three other teams – Italy, Denmark and England.

“I had never left the country. A lot of us never had left the country,” shared Lori Henry. “We had to get these emergency passports in New York just to be able to travel. It was so quick. We trained in New York for a week and then we flew to Jesolo, Italy. It was a whirlwind.”

Donning hand-me-down, ill-fitting gear, likely from the men’s team – nothing like those of the national team today – the team made history, kicking off the first UWSNT match ever on August 18, 1985. The match against Italy ended in a 1-0 loss but was an eye-opening and inspiring experience for the squad.

“As far as the soccer part, the other teams were just head and shoulders above us and in how they played, in their tactics, in their sophistication and their gamesmanship. What we brought to the table was this competitive mentality and physical like never-say-die, never-quit mentality. You're going to have to be tougher than us to beat us. And you know, you can't win games like that all the time against good teams, and so that's in part what we learned,” shared Akers.

The loss was followed by a near-win against Denmark, but the Danes pulled even in the 90th minute, forcing a 2-2 draw. Notably, Akers netted the first-ever USWNT goal in that match, followed quickly by Emily Pickering. The United States concluded the tournament with back-to-back losses, falling 3-1 to England and 1-0 to Denmark in a rematch, though there were many positives to reflect on from the experience.

From humble beginnings, the first U.S. Women’s National Team in 1985 launched into motion what has become one of the most powerful teams in the global game. Every woman on the roster had a hand in forging their unforgettable legacy that has been carried through every iteration of team since.

Join Reign FC on Monday night at Lumen Field as we celebrate the pioneering women that made the trip to Jesolo at the inaugural Queen's Match (TICKETS).