Fansided

Record crowds as women’s soccer builds to an exciting season end

By StevieMac

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 23: A general view of a OL Reign soccer ball during the second half against the Kansas City Current in a NWSL semifinal match at Lumen Field on October 23, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 23: A general view of a OL Reign soccer ball during the second half against the Kansas City Current in a NWSL semifinal match at Lumen Field on October 23, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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There have been some significant events lately to help boost the profile of the women’s soccer game.

Combined with a nail-biting end to the season to decide the women’s soccer league title, the excitement is definitely building in Scotland. April saw the first Scottish Women’s Professional League match being televised live by SkySports. A skirmish on the pitch post-match saw a video clip go viral and increased awareness even further.

More positive steps have happened since all making a huge impact. SkySports televised another women’s match last week, a top-of-the-table clash between Celtic and leaders Glasgow City. A win for Celtic would keep them in contention for the league title.

In a clever move, Celtic FC decided to play the match at Celtic Park, home of the men’s side, rather than the usual Excelsior stadium in nearby Airdrie. That led to a new record attendance of 9,553 for women’s soccer in Scotland. It also meant a huge fan backing for the side and a terrific atmosphere, unseen and unheard before at this level.

A stunning second half of women’s soccer

Trailing 0-1 at halftime to Glasgow City, the Celtic manager Fran Alonso referred to the crowd of expectant fans and urged his side to perform better in the second half. They emerged 3-1 winners after a stunning second half and the team and boss celebrated wildly on the pitch in front of the massed fans afterward.

https://twitter.com/stephebissett/status/1656757682173366272

There’s been enormous recognition for the women’s team afterwards with plenty of new followers, both male and female who have been impressed by what they saw. The match and the amazing atmosphere, all captured by the TV coverage, have been another huge boost.

Exciting end to the league coming up

The result too was a boost for Celtic by closing the gap on City as league leaders. The next round of matches at the weekend cranked up the tension even further and left a tension-filled finish to the league for the final fixtures on Sunday, May 21.

Rangers play leaders Glasgow City and will be broadcast live on TV on BBC Scotland, while Celtic play Hearts, also live on BBC Alba. The TV interest comes as all 3 Glasgow clubs have a chance to win the league, depending on results and possibly on final goal difference too. With a place in the UEFA Women’s Champion League also up for grabs for the first two league positions, it’s all to play for.

And that takes us to more stadium switches.  Both Celtic and Rangers have moved their final matches to their club’s men’s team home ground. Perhaps the crowd record is about to be broken again as the two clubs look to give their women’s team a boost for that final push for the title.

Live TV, huge crowds, an electric atmosphere and a tense title-winning scenario, it’s an exciting time for sure as the women’s soccer game strides forward in Scotland.

Check out our NWSL hub page for more news, analysis, opinion and unique women’s soccer coverage. And don’t forget to follow FOR(E) on Twitter, FanSided’s home for women’s sports.

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