By OkayGoal 
With February here, we have entered a special month when Black history is appreciated and honored. Black history is essential to the makeup of American democracy and the freedoms Americans are entitled to today. Various black figures in the history of women’s soccer have stepped up and elevated the game of soccer for the better.
Today, we say thank you to the courageous Black women who expanded the game of women’s soccer to be as accepting and diverse as it is today. Now, let’s dive into the positive impact multiple Black players have made in women’s soccer.
First Black Women Representing the USWNT: Kim Crabbe, Sandi Gordon, and Briana Scurry
In 1986-1987, Kim Crabbe and Sandi Gordon caught the attention of many for being the first women to be called up to the USWNT. Crabbe was the first woman to be called up to the USWNT to participate in training camp, but Gordon was the first to appear in an official international match against Sweden in 1987. Eight years later, Briana Scurry made history as the first Black women’s soccer player to represent the USWNT in a FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1995.
Current USWNT and NWSL Accomplishments
Most recently, we witnessed two phenomenal Black women soccer players retire from the game. Christen Press and Crystal Dunn dedicated their careers to representing various clubs and the USWNT in crucial international games. The two won the FIFA Women’s World Cup championship in 2019.
Today’s USWNT is led by three Black women known as Triple Espresso. Mallory Swanson, Sophia Wilson, and Trinity Rodman are three stars who have electrified the current state of the USWNT. 2024 was really the year of success as Triple Espresso helped lead the USWNT to a gold medal in the Olympics.
Despite her 2025 injury, Wilson has worked her way through recovery and is gearing up to lead the Portland Thorns in the 2026-2027 NWSL season. As for Rodman, she recently got herself a bag by signing a contract that makes her the highest paid NWSL and women’s soccer player as of this day. And Swanson gave birth to baby Josie in the fall of 2025. There is so much excitement for these three, yet, there’s another crucial member of the USWNT that cannot go unmentioned.
Naomi Girma has proven to be one of the world’s best defenders. From her time at Stanford to taking her talents to London for the Blue Devils, Girma is the backbone on defense and asserts a presence like no other. Her world-record transfer to Chelsea came as a shock to no one with her excellent skill set and defensive mind.
Persistent Activism
The main ingredient that establishes a richness in American history is the genuine practice of activism. Whether it is protesting for equality or creating safe spaces of equity, activism has long been a practice Black women have been familiar with.
In response to the national 2020 George Floyd protests and wave of the Black Lives Matter movement, NWSL players participated in various forms of activism. From kneeling during the national anthem to wearing T-shirts saying “Black Lives Matter” in bold letters, the NWSL was the first sports league to initiate a call for justice and unity.
In the summer of 2020, Lynn Williams, Crystal Dunn, Midge Purce, and Imani Dorsey founded the Black Women’s Player Collective to provide a wider representation of Black women in soccer and Black girls with access to sports. Social justice partnerships and the celebration of Juneteenth would not have been possible without the development of the BWPC.
Another important practice of activism comes from Naomi Girma, who took the lead of the “Create the Space” initiative, and has worked on the mental health awareness project for the last few years. Just last fall she launched a partnership with the Mayfair Group that provides resources and apparel tied to being aware of and prioritizing mental health.
Most recently, Americans have witnessed Constitutional rights being stripped in the Minneapolis protests after the murder of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Angel City, USWNT, and Los Angeles legend Christen Press has been vocal about the need for change and has been using her social media RE-Inc platform to share resources.
With all that said, February serves as a dedicated time to reflect on the success and strides forward the Black community has made. There is no doubt that today’s NWSL, USWNT, and the overall landscape of women’s soccer would not be what it is without the courageous and unwithering position Black women have long taken in America.
Image via @idasports
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