A goalkeeper from southern California. A defender from Seattle. A forward from Washington DC.
And it’s not just the Philippines. Despite the early exit of the US team on Sunday, the influence the country has on other competing nations is clear, with dozens of players born or raised in America representing other teams including Haiti, Jamaica and more.
It’s a reflection of the global nature of the sport, with dual-nationality athletes increasingly hopping across borders to seek better career opportunities, or to connect with parts of their heritage.
But while US-born women soccer players have flowed outward, populating other countries’ teams, the opposite trend has been seen in the US men’s team, with an influx of athletes born or raised overseas.
There are various factors behind this trend, experts say – but it mostly boils down to a massive gap in talent and performance between the US men’s and women’s teams.
The law, which prohibits sex discrimination at federally funded schools, meant if colleges offered scholarships to male athletes they would have to offer them to female athletes too. Soccer became a pathway to higher education, consequently increasing participation in the game and pushing colleges to invest huge amounts of money in women’s programs.
“In a vacuum where there were practically no resources for women’s sports, Title IX was a game-changer for American female athletes. And since the rest of the world didn’t invest in women’s sports either, it gave the [US women’s team] a huge advantage,” said Leander Schaerlaeckens, a senior lecturer in sports communication at Marist College.
The US was also ahead of the curve – Title IX became federal law a year after a ban on women’s soccer was lifted in England, the country where the modern sport began. In Brazil, a giant of the men’s game, it was still illegal for women to play soccer.
While the rest of the world was changing its attitude towards women’s soccer at a snail’s pace, Title IX gave the US a head start.
By the time the world’s traditional soccer powerhouses had started to invest in women’s soccer, which is only relatively recently, the well-oiled wheels of the US production line had been churning out female athletic talent for decades.
International rivals have long established robust youth development programs, making a far tougher playing field.
And for American men, college actually hindered their professional soccer careers, “since talented teenaged boys in Spain or England or Argentina or wherever were hopping straight from academies into the pros, without needing to go play in college first,” Schaerlaeckens said.
There were cultural social factors, too.
For decades, the top sports for American boys were baseball, American football, and basketball – with soccer often viewed as “not a real man’s sport,” said Oonk, the Erasmus University director. It’s an “entirely different picture” in much of Europe and Latin America where soccer is by far the most popular sport.
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Spanish players celebrate after winning the Women's World Cup final on Sunday, August 20.
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Spain's Eva Navarro celebrates with the Women's World Cup trophy.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
Spanish players celebrate with the trophy during the post-match award ceremony.
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Players from Spain and England react after the final whistle.
Lorena Sopêna/Europa Press/AP
Fans cheer for Spain during a broadcast of match in Barcelona.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
England captain Millie Bright looks dejected after the match. "We gave everything," she said. "First half we weren't at our best but second half we bounced back. ... We just didn't have that final edge today."
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Players embrace at the end of the match.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
Spanish coach Jorge Vilda reacts as England's Lucy Bronze, left, and Spain's Mariona Caldentey compete for the ball in the second half of the final.
Mark Baker/AP
English goalkeeper Mary Earps saves a Jennifer Hermoso penalty during the second half.
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Members of the 1972 England team react while watching a live broadcast together in London.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
Spain's Salma Paralluelo (No. 18) received a yellow card from referee Tori Penso after England's Alex Greenwood was hurt on a play in the second half.
Patrick Hoelscher/Sipa USA/AP
Spanish fans celebrate as the teams leave the field at halftime.
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Spain's Olga Carmona celebrates after she scored with a left-footed shot in the 29th minute.
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A shot from England's Lauren Hemp hits the crossbar in the first half.
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Paralluelo, left, competes for the ball with Greenwood.
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England fans cheer on the Lionesses in Sydney.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
Earps makes a save in the first half.
Abbie Parr/AP
Tennis legend Billie Jean King walks onto the pitch ahead of the final.
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Players stand for the national anthems before the final.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
Paralluelo huddles with teammates before the match.
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A closing ceremony took place before the final.
Dan Peled/Reuters
Swedish players celebrate after defeating Australia 2-0 in the
third-place playoff on Saturday, August 19. Sweden also finished third in 1991, 1995 and 2019.
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Australia fans in Brisbane show their support for their team following the loss to Sweden.
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Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's first goal against Australia.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt and Australia's Hayley Raso compete for the ball.
Dan Peled/Reuters
Sweden fans show support outside the stadium before the third-place playoff match.
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Rolfo converts a penalty to give Sweden a 1-0 lead over Australia.
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Australian star Sam Kerr did everything she could to carry the Matildas, but it wasn't enough as her team fell 3-1 to England in the semifinals.
Carl Recine/Reuters
Australia fans react in the stadium as their team falls behind late in the semifinal.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
England's Alessia Russo celebrates scoring the Lionesses' third goal to seal the victory against Australia.
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English goalkeeper Mary Earps dives in vain to stop Kerr's rocket from distance — arguably the goal of the tournament.
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English midfielder Ella Toone scores the opener against Australia.
David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
English defender Alex Greenwood, left, battles Kerr for the ball.
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Swedish players are dejected following the 2-1 loss to Spain.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Sweden's Fridolina Rolfo jumps for a header with Spain's Alexia Putellas.
Molly Darlington/Reuters
Spain fans watch the semifinal inside Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Molly Darlington/Reuters
A performer dances before the semifinal between Spain and Sweden.
Carl Recine/Reuters
Alessia Russo, bottom, celebrates after scoring England's second goal in the
2-1 over Colombia in the quarterfinals on August 12.
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Colombia's Catalina Usme and Daniela Arias are dejected after the loss to England.
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England's Lauren Hemp, left, and Colombia's Ana Guzman fight for the ball.
Carl Recine/Reuters
England's Chloe Kelly controls the ball.
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Leicy Santos celebrates her goal that gave Colombia a 1-0 lead against England.
Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Australian players celebrate after winning a
dramatic penalty shootout against France on August 12. The shootout was decided on the 20th kick.
Tertius Pickard/AP
French goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin punches the ball away during the quarterfinal match against Australia.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
Australia fans show their support at Brisbane Stadium.
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Australia's Mary Fowler controls the ball between France's Sakina Karchaoui and Wendie Renard.
Tertius Pickard/AP
French players are dejected after the match against Australia.
Abbie Parr/AP
Sweden's Filippa Angeldal, second right, celebrates after scoring a penalty against Japan on Friday, August 11.
Sweden won 2-1 to book a spot in the semifinals.
Abbie Parr/AP
Japanese players react following the loss to Sweden.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt scores the first goal of the quarterfinal match against Japan.
Abbie Parr/AP
Japan's Risa Shimizu dribbles the ball during the match against Sweden.
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Swedish captain Kosovare Asllani talks to her teammates prior to playing Japan.
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Spain's Salma Paralluelo celebrates after scoring in extra time during the quarterfinal clash against the Netherlands on August 11. It ended up being the winning goal as
Spain advanced with a 2-1 victory.
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Esmee Brugts of the Netherlands goes for a header against Spain.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll and defender Olga Carmona watch as a shot from the Netherlands' Lineth Beerensteyn goes wide during extra time.
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Spain's Jennifer Hermoso celebrates the victory over the Netherlands.
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Sarah Reed/Getty Images
Morocco's Sakina Ouzraoui is consoled by France's Estelle Cascarino after the match.
James Elsby/AP
France's Eugénie Le Sommer heads the ball for her team's fourth goal — and her second of the match — against Morocco.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Morocco's Ghizlane Chebbak and France's Sandie Toletti compete for the ball.
Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
French midfielder Kenza Dali, left, celebrates with teammate Kadidiatou Diani against Morocco.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
Colombia's Daniela Arias celebrates with fans on August 8 after her team defeated Jamaica 1-0 to progress to the quarterfinals.
Andrew Wiseman/DeFodi Images/Getty Images
Catalina Usme celebrates after scoring Colombia's goal against Jamaica.
Hamish Blair/AP
Jamaica's Kiki Van Zanten, left, and Colombia's Carolina Arias compete for the ball.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
A Colombia fan soaks up the atmosphere before the match in Melbourne.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Jamaica's Jody Brown controls the ball next to Colombia's Diana Ospina Garcia.
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Denmark's Amalie Vangsgaard, left, and Australia's Caitlin Foord compete for the ball during a round-of-16 match on August 7.
Australia won 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.
Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
Australia fans wave placards during the match in Sydney. The team is nicknamed the Matildas.
David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
Foord scores a goal past Denmark goalkeeper Lene Christensen.
David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
Denmark's players gather in a huddle before the match against Australia.
Dan Peled/Reuters
England's Chloe Kelly, bottom, celebrates with teammates Mary Earps, left, and Rachel Daly after scoring the winning penalty against Nigeria in the round of 16 on August 7.
The match went to a shootout after ending 0-0.
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Members of Nigeria's team react during the penalty shootout.
Matt Roberts/FIFA/Getty Images
England's Lauren James received a red card in the 87th minute after stepping on Michelle Alozie.
Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Earps makes a save against Nigeria.
Quinn Rooney/Getty Images
Alex Pantling/FIFA/Getty Images
US star Alex Morgan cries after the loss to Sweden.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Swedish players celebrate the victory over the United States.
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Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt, left, and Fridolina Rolfö celebrate the win.
William West/AFP/Getty Images
US forward Lynn Williams, left, and Sweden defender Jonna Andersson compete for the ball.
Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Megan Rapinoe takes a corner kick for the United States.
William West/AFP/Getty Images
Morgan heads the ball against Sweden.
Brad Smith/Getty Images
Morgan and Ilestedt go up for a header.
Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
US midfielder Lindsey Horan grimaces in pain after a collision.
Scott Barbour/AP
US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher grabs the ball in front of her goal.
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Horan gets to a header against Sweden.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Swedish goalkeeper Zećira Mušović dives to save a Horan header.
Scott Barbour/AP
Sweden's Johanna Kaneryd, center, fights off Andi Sullivan.
Hamish Blair/AP
Naeher rises for a ball during the match against Sweden.
William West/AFP/Getty Images
Rapinoe, left, looks on from the substitutes' bench.
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Swedish captain Kosovare Asllani talks to her teammates before the US match.
Jaimi Joy/Reuters
The Netherlands' Jill Roord celebrates after scoring the first goal in her team's 2-0 victory over South Africa on August 6. With the victory, the Dutch advanced to the quarterfinals.
Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
Fans of the Netherlands cheer before the start of the match against South Africa.
Mark Baker/AP
South Africa's Bambanani Mbane grimaces after colliding with the Netherlands' Lieke Martens. She was taken off on a stretcher shortly after.
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Japan's Risa Shimizu, third from left, celebrates with teammates after scoring in the 3-1 victory over Norway on August 5.
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Japan's Ayaka Yamashita of Japan dives in vain to stop a Norway shot on goal.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Japan's Mina Tanaka, center, rises for a header against Norway.
Jan Kruger/FIFA/Getty Images
Spain's Aitana Bonmatí celebrates a goal in the 5-1 win against Switzerland on August 5.
Andrew Cornaga/AP
Spain's Alba Redondo puts the ball past Swiss goalkeeper Gaëlle Thalmann to score her team's second goal.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Spectators show their support during the match between Spain and Switzerland.
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Morocco players celebrate on August 3 after beating Colombia 1-0 to advance to the round of 16.
Maddie Meyer/FIFA/Getty Images
Fans of Colombia watch their team's match against Morocco.
Gary Day/AP
Colombian teenage star Linda Caicedo, left, challenges Morocco's Zineb Redouani during their final group match.
Dan Peled/Reuters
German players react after they crashed out of the tournament following a 1-1 draw with South Korea on August 3.
Chris Hyde/FIFA/Getty Images
South Korean goalkeeper Kim Jung-mi dives for the ball during the match against Germany.
Tertius Pickard/AP
South Korea's Cho So-hyun celebrates after giving her side the lead against Germany.
Hamish Blair/AP
Brazil's Marta, right, competes against Jamaica's Tiernny Wiltshire on August 2.
The two teams drew 0-0, but it was Jamaica that advanced to the knockout stage of the tournament. This was the last World Cup for Marta, the tournament's record scorer and veteran of six tournaments.
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Jamaica's Deneisha Blackwood celebrates with teammates after the draw with Brazil.
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Marta reacts after Brazil's elimination.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
France's Vicki Becho celebrates after scoring her team's sixth goal against Panama on August 2. France won 6-3 to advance to the knockout stage.
Carl Recine/Reuters
Panama players spend time with fans after the France match. This was Panama's first year playing at a Women's World Cup.
Mark Baker/AP
France's Maëlle Lakrar celebrates after scoring her team's first goal against Panama.
Hagen Hopkins/FIFA/Getty Images
South Africa's Linda Motlhalo celebrates her team's
3-2 win over Italy on August 2. It was South Africa's first-ever win at a Women's World Cup, and it helped them clinch a spot in the next round. Italy was eliminated with the loss.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
South Africa's Thembi Kgatlana tries to hold off Italy's Elena Linari.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
Italy's Arianna Caruso celebrates after scoring against South Africa.
Fiona Goodall/FIFA/Getty Images
Sweden's Elin Rubensson celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot against Argentina on August 2.
Sweden won 2-0.
Andrew Cornaga/AP
Sweden's Rebecka Blomqvist heads the ball for a goal against Argentina.
Abbie Parr/AP
Argentina's Florencia Bonsegundo lies on the pitch after getting injured against Sweden.
James Elsby/AP
England's Chloe Kelly celebrates after scoring against China on August 1.
England won 6-1 to advance to the tournament's round of 16.
Hannah Mckay/Reuters
England's Rachel Daly, right, scores the sixth goal against China.
Brenton Edwards/AFP/Getty Images
Chinese forward Wang Shuang, left, celebrates with Yang Lina after scoring against England.
Brenton Edwards/AFP/Getty Images
Chinese defender Yao Wei, right, blocks a shot from England's Lucy Bronze.
Paul Kane/Getty Images
Pernille Harder celebrates after scoring the first goal of Denmark's 2-0 victory over Haiti on August 1.
The win, coupled with China's defeat against England, meant Denmark would advance to the knockout stage and face co-host Australia.
Gary Day/AP
Denmark's Amalie Vangsgaard shields the ball from Haiti's Ruthny Mathurin.
Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters
Haiti fans cheer their team at the stadium in Perth, Australia.
Paul Kane/Getty Images
Haiti's Melchie Dumornay, left, gets tangled with Denmark's Simone Boye.
Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images
US forward Sophia Smith heads the ball during the
goalless draw against Portugal on August 1. The result meant that the Americans, the two-time defending champions, would advance to the round of 16.
Rafaela Pontes/AP
Megan Rapinoe consoles Portugal's Jessica Silva following the draw, which knocked Portugal out of the competition.
Carmen Mandato/USSF/Getty Images
US forward Alex Morgan collides with Portuguese goalkeeper Inês Pereira in the first half.
Andrew Cornaga/AP
US fans show their support ahead of the Portugal match.
Andrew Cornaga/AP
US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher collides with the post.
Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images
Referee Rebecca Welch shows a yellow card to US midfielder Rose Lavelle.
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Dutch midfielder Wieke Kaptein takes a selfie with fans after the Netherlands defeated Vietnam 7-0 and advanced to the knockout stage.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Vietnamese players Trần Thị Thu Thảo, left, and Dương Thị Vân react after the loss to the Netherlands.
Sanka Vidanagama/AFP/Getty Images
Dutch forward Katja Snoeijs celebrates her team's first goal, which was scored by Lieke Martens.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
The Netherlands' Sherida Spitse, top, and Vietnam's Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã compete for the ball.
William West/AFP/Getty Images
Australian defender Stephanie Catley, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's fourth goal against Canada on July 31.
Australia won 4-0 to book a spot in the round of 16.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Australia fans in Melbourne celebrate after the Canada match.
Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan makes a save against Australia. Canada was eliminated because of the loss and Nigeria's goalless draw against Ireland.
Victoria Adkins/AP
Australia's Hayley Raso, right, celebrates after scoring her side's second goal against Canada.
Tertius Pickard/AP
Ireland's Lily Agg, right, battles for the ball with Nigeria's Uchenna Kanu during a 0-0 draw on July 31.
Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala, center, misses a chance against Ireland.
Chris Hyde/FIFA/Getty Images
A fan shows support for the Nigerian team during the match in Brisbane, Australia.
Dan Peled/Reuters
Nigeria's Chiamaka Nnadozie and Ireland's Kyra Carusa react after a collision.
John Cowpland/AP
Japanese players celebrate at the end of their
4-0 victory over Spain on July 31. Both teams are advancing to the round of 16.
Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Fans of Japan help clean after the match in Wellington, New Zealand. Japan's fans have become known in recent years for their efforts to
clean stands after matches.
Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Japan's Hikaru Naomoto, top, and Spain's Ona Batlle compete for the ball.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
Japan's Hinata Miyazawa, second from left, celebrates scoring the team's third goal with Honoka Hayashi, left, and Risa Shimizu.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Costa Rican players appeal to referee Bouchra Karboubi before a VAR check on July 31. Zambia beat Costa Rica 3-1. It was Zambia's first-ever win at a Women's World Cup.
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Zambia's Barbra Banda celebrates after scoring her team's second goal from the penalty spot.
Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images
Costa Rican midfielder Melissa Herrera, right, scores her team's lone goal.
Andrew Cornaga/AP
Costa Rica's Fabiola Villalobos, left, takes a shot at goal as Zambia's Racheal Kundananji attempts to block.
Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
Colombia's Manuela Vanegas celebrates her team's winning goal against Germany on June 30. The goal came in the final seconds of the match and lifted Colombia to a
2-1 victory.
Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images/Getty Images
Germany's Alexandra Popp and Colombia's Jorelyn Carabalí battle for the ball.
Sajad Imanian/DeFodi Images/Getty Images
Vanegas marks Germany's Jule Brand.
Jaimi Joy/Reuters
Germany fans attend the match against Colombia.
Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
Linda Caicedo celebrates after scoring Colombia's opener against Germany.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Norway celebrates a goal in its 6-0 victory over the Philippines on July 30. The victory helped Norway clinch a spot in the knockout stage.
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The Philippines' Dominique Randle, center, consoles a teammate after the loss to Norway. The Philippines, playing in its first Women's World Cup, was eliminated with the loss to Norway.
Rafaela Pontes/AP
The Philippines' Hali Long makes a heart with her hands at the end of the Norway match.
Abbie Parr/AP
Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel fails to stop Norway's Caroline Graham Hansen from scoring the third goal of the match.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Norway's Sophie Roman Haug is challenged by Jessika Cowart.
Rafaela Pontes/AP
Philippines fans cheer for their team before the match against Norway.
Molly Darlington/Reuters
Ali Riley and Katie Bowen hug after New Zealand was knocked out of the tournament on July 30. The co-hosts drew Switzerland 0-0, but they will miss the knockout stage because of goal differential.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Bowen clears the ball in front of Switzerland's Julia Stierli.
Sanka Vidanagama/AFP/Getty Images
Swiss forward Ramona Bachmann controls the ball against New Zealand.
James Elsby/AP
Moroccan players celebrate their 1-0 win over South Korea on July 30.
Brenton Edwards/AFP/Getty Images
Morocco's Ibtissam Jraidi controls the ball before shooting on goal.
Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters
Panama's Aldrith Quintero, right, reaches for the ball in front of Jamaica's Deneisha Blackwood and Kameron Simmonds on July 29.
Jamaica won 1-0. It was Jamaica's first-ever win at a Women's World Cup.
Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters
Jamaican players celebrate after Allyson Swaby scored against Panama.
Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images
French coach Herve Renard kisses defender Wendie Renard on the forehead after her winning goal secured a
2-1 win against Brazil on July 29.
Katie Tucker/AP
Brazil's Debinha celebrates her goal against France.
Aisha Schulz/AP
Renard celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's second goal.
John Cowpland/AP
Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt, center, heads the ball to score the opening goal against Italy on July 29. Sweden won 5-0 to clinch a spot in the round of 16.
John Cowpland/AP
Sweden's Rebecka Blomqvist celebrates after scoring her side's fifth goal against Italy.
John Cowpland/AP
Italy fans cheer before their team's match against Sweden in Wellington, New Zealand.
Maddie Meyer/FIFA/Getty Images
China's Wang Shuang celebrates after scoring against Haiti on July 28.
China won 1-0.
Alex Pantling/FIFA/Getty Images
Haiti's Melchie Dumornay, left, collides with China's Dou Jiaxing on July 28.
Carl Recine/Reuters
England's Chloe Kelly attempts a bicycle kick versus Denmark on July 28.
England won 1-0.
Andy Cheung/Getty Images
England goalkeeper Mary Earps makes a save against Denmark.
Carl Recine/Reuters
Denmark's Janni Thomsen, left, collides with England's Alex Greenwood.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Lauren James celebrates after scoring against Denmark.
Jaimi Joy/Reuters
England's Keira Walsh is stretchered off after sustaining an injury. Walsh, England's midfield metronome, went down clutching her knee with no other player in her vicinity
Molly Darlington/Reuters
South Africa's Bambanani Mbane slides in for a tackle against Argentina's Mariana Larroquette on July 28. Their match ended in a 2-2 draw.
Matthew Lewis/FIFA/Getty Images
Lars Baron/Getty Images
South Africa's Linda Motlhalo celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's first goal against Argentina. South Africa led 2-0 before Argentina's dramatic comeback.
Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Onome Ebi, left, and Osinachi Ohale celebrate after
Nigeria defeated Australia 3-2 on July 27. The stunning result means Nigeria has a one-point lead going into its final group game against already eliminated Ireland, while co-host Australia faces a must-win match against Canada.
Dan Peled/Reuters
Players from Australia and Nigeria compete for a ball in the air on July 27.
Matt Roberts/FIFA/Getty Images
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese takes a selfie with fans before the Nigeria match in Brisbane.
Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images
Portugal forward Jéssica Silva, right, watches a shot go wide during a match against Vietnam on July 27. Portugal won 2-0, eliminating Vietnam's hopes of advancing in the tournament.
Fiona Goodall/FIFA/Getty Images
Portugal's Telma Encarnação reaches for the ball during the Vietnam match.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Vietnam fans show their support before the Portugal match.
Brad Smith/USSF/Getty Images
Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar grabs the ball over the United States' Julie Ertz during their 1-1 draw on July 27.
Andrew Cornaga/AP
US fans react during the Netherlands match, which was played in Wellington, New Zealand.
Joe Prior/Visionhaus/Getty Images
US midfielder Lindsey Horan celebrates after scoring against the Netherlands. It was her second goal of the tournament.
Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Horan's header tied the match after the Dutch took an early lead.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
More than 27,000 fans attended the Netherlands-US match.
Coliin Murty/AFP/Getty Images
Canada's Vanessa Gilles competes for a header with Ireland's Niamh Fahey, bottom, and Louise Quinn during a match on July 26.
Canada won 2-1.
Paul Kane/Getty Images
Ireland's Katie McCabe applauds fans after the match against Canada.
Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Getty Images
Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan can't get to a McCabe corner kick that went directly into the goal to give Ireland a 1-0 lead. The incredible "Olimpico" goal came in just the fourth minute of play.
Colin Murty/AFP/Getty Images
Canadian forward Adriana Leon celebrates after scoring her team's second goal against Ireland.
David Rowland/Reuters
Spain's Jennifer Hermoso is thrown in the air by teammates as they celebrate their 5-0 victory over Zambia on July 26. With the win, Spain clinched a spot in the tournament's knockout round.
Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images
Hermoso, left, scores her first of two goals in the win over Zambia.
David Rowland/Reuters
Spain fans enjoy the Zambia match at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Spain's Alexia Putellas consoles Zambia's Mary Wilombe after the match. Zambia still had one match to play, but it was not going to be able to advance to the knockout stage.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Japan's Hikaru Naomoto, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal in the 2-0 victory over Costa Rica on July 26. It was Japan's second win in as many games, and it clinched a spot in the knockout stage.
Lars Baron/Getty Images
Japan's Mina Tanaka heads the ball toward the Costa Rican goal.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Japan fans react during the match against Costa Rica, which took place at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.
Molly Darlington/Reuters
Costa Rican goalkeeper Daniela Solera is shaken up during a play against Japan. She was able to continue.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
Switzerland players, in red, defend their box during a match against Norway on July 25. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.
Fiona Goodall/FIFA/Getty Images
Rain pours down during the Norway-Switzerland match.
Phil Walter/Getty Images
People in Indigenous dress perform during a welcome ceremony that was held before Norway-Switzerland.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
Philippines midfielder Sarina Bolden celebrates scoring against New Zealand on July 25. Bolden's first-half header
lifted her country to a 1-0 victory — its first win ever at a Women's World Cup.
Andrew Cornaga/AP
New Zealand's Hannah Wilkinson attempts to head the ball past Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel during their match on July 25.
Katelyn Mulcahy/FIFA/Getty Images
Bolden scores on New Zealand keeper Victoria Esson.
Hagen Hopkins/FIFA/Getty Images
Philippines fans show their support during the team's first-ever win at a Women's World Cup.
Jaimi Joy/Reuters
Colombia's Catalina Usme celebrates with teammates after scoring her team's first goal against South Korea on July 25. Colombia won 2-0.
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
South Korea's Cho So-hyun, bottom left, competes for the ball against Colombia's Jorelyn Carabali and Carolina Arias.
Carl Recine/Reuters
Colombia fans show their support in Sydney.
Carl Recine/Reuters
Usme tries to control the ball in front of South Korea's Kim Hye-ri.
David Gray/AFP/Getty Images
Colombia midfielder Manuela Vanegas receives a yellow card from referee Rebecca Welch.
Matt Turner/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Brazil's Marta, left, heads the ball during a match against Panama on July 24.
Brazil won 4-0.
James Elsby/AP
Brazil's Ary Borges celebrates her third goal during the Panama. Her hat trick was the first of the tournament.
James Elsby/AP
Brazilian fans watch the match against Panama, which was held in Adelaide, Australia.
Victoria Adkins/AP
Moroccan goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi tries to punch the ball away during a match against Germany on July 24.
Germany dominated Morocco 6-0 in what was the biggest scoreline of the tournament so far.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
Germany's Alexandra Popp celebrates scoring a goal against Morocco.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
Germany fans celebrate as their team gets off to a great start.
Hamish Blair/AP
Morocco's Fatima Tagnaout runs during the match against Germany.
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Italy's Cristiana Girelli celebrates after scoring a late winner against Argentina on July 24. Italy won 1-0.
Abbie Parr/AP
Italian goalkeeper Francesca Durante makes a save during the match against Argentina.
David Rowland/Reuters
Argentina coach German Portanova reacts during the Italy match.
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Italy's Giulia Dragoni is challenged by Estefania Banini of Argentina. At the age of 16, Dragoni became the
youngest player to represent Italy in the competition's history.
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Jamaican players celebrate on July 23, after their 0-0 draw against France earned them their country's first-ever point in the Women's World Cup.
Mark Baker/AP
Jamaica's Atlanta Primus tugs the shirt of France's Grace Geyoro.
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Jamaican goalkeeper Rebecca Spencer marshals her defense.
Mark Baker/AP
Jamaica's Khadija "Bunny" Shaw is sent off for a second bookable offense against France.
Mark Baker/AP
France's Estelle Cascarino, left, and Shaw battle for the ball.
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Portugal's Ines Pereira dives in vain as the Netherlands' Stefanie van der Gragt, not pictured, scores the only goal in the match on July 23.
Alessandra Tarantino/AP
Van der Gragt, left, and Portugal's Jessica Silva battle for possession.
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Silva signs autographs for fans after the match.
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Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt celebrates after scoring a late winner against South Africa on July 23. Sweden won 2-1.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
South Africa's Hildah Magaia, who scored the opening goal, runs with the ball alongside Sweden's Elin Rubensson.
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A South Africa fan shows support during the match.
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Danish players celebrate Amalie Vangsgaard's late goal that gave them a 1-0 victory over China on July 22.
Paul Kane/Getty Images
China fans show their support prior to their team's opening match against Denmark.
Gary Day/AP
China's Zhang Linyan competes for the ball with Denmark's Pernille Harder.
Luisa Gonzalez/Reuters
China head coach Shui Qingxia gestures during the match.
Dan Peled/Reuters
England's Alessia Russo and Haiti's Tabita Joseph fight for the ball during the two sides' opening game on July 22. England's Lionesses, the reigning European champions, earned a scrappy 1-0 victory over the tournament debutants.
Dan Peled/Reuters
England's Georgia Stanway converts the winner against Haiti from the penalty spot.
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Nicolas Delépine, Haiti's head coach, instructs his team during the match.
Zac Goodwin/PA Images/Getty Images
Haiti goalkeeper Kerly Theus jumps to make one of many impressive saves against England.
John Cowpland/AP
Japan's Jun Endo celebrates with her bench after scoring her team's fourth goal in a 5-0 win against Zambia on July 22.
David Rowland/Reuters
Japan's Mina Tanaka battles with Zambia's Agnes Musase.
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Aoba Fujino of Japan is brought down by Zambian goalkeeper Catherine Musonda, resulting in a penalty to Japan. It was later overturned due to offside.
John Cowpland/AP
Japan supporters react following their team's emphatic victory over Zambia.
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US forward Alex Morgan is surrounded by Vietnam defenders during their opening match on July 22. The United States, the two-time defending champs, won 3-0.
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Lindsey Horan, left, celebrates with US teammate Megan Rapinoe after Horan scored the third goal against Vietnam.
Rafaela Pontes/AP
Players collide in the box as Vietnam goalkeeper Trần Thị Kim Thanh looks to clear the ball away.
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US forward Sophia Smith dribbles the ball against Vietnam. She scored the first two goals of the match.
Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images
Fans cheer during the US-Vietnam match in Auckland, New Zealand.
Amanda Perobelli/Reuters
Spain's Esther González wins a header against Costa Rica's Mariana Benavides on July 21. Spain won 3-0.
Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
González scores her team's third goal against Costa Rica.
Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
A Māori welcoming ceremony is held prior to the Spain-Costa Rica match.
Molly Darlington/Reuters
Switzerland's Seraina Piubel scores her team's second goal during its 2-0 victory against the Philippines on July 21.
Molly Darlington/Reuters
The Philippines' Katrina Guillou takes a shot against Switzerland's Gaëlle Thalmann. The goal was disallowed.
Lars Baron/Getty Images
A Philippines fan enjoys the pre-match atmosphere. This was the country's Women's World Cup debut.
William West/AFP/Getty Images
Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan punches the ball clear during a 0-0 draw against Nigeria on July 21.
Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Reuters
Nigeria's Uchenna Kanu takes a selfie with fans after the Canada match.
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Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie clears the ball after saving a penalty by Canada's Christine Sinclair.
Carl Recine/Reuters
Australia's Steph Catley, third from left, celebrates scoring her team's only goal against Ireland on June 20. Australia won 1-0 in Sydney.
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Fans in Melbourne celebrate as they watch the match between Australia and Ireland.
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Ireland's Heather Payne, left, tries to cross the ball past Australia's Kyra Cooney-Cross. This was Ireland's first-ever match in a Women's World Cup.
Jaimi Joy/Reuters
Supporters of both Australia and Ireland watch the match in Sydney. The second match of this year's tournament set a new
single-game attendance record for a women's soccer match in Australia, with 75,784 fans watching.
Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images
Australian goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold makes a save.
David Rowland/Reuters
New Zealand's Ria Percival and Katie Bowen, in black, compete for the ball with Norway's Caroline Graham Hansen on July 20. New Zealand won the opening match 1-0. It was the country's first-ever win at a Women's World Cup.
Jan Kruger/FIFA via Getty Images
Norway star Ada Hegerberg reacts after a missed chance against New Zealand.
Abbie Parr/AP
New Zealand's CJ Bott, left, and Norway's Mathilde Harviken vie for the ball.
Andrew Cornaga/AP
New Zealand fans react during the match against Norway, which was played in Auckland, New Zealand.
Jan Kruger/FIFA/Getty Images
Norway players huddle before the match against New Zealand.
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Fireworks explode during the tournament's opening ceremony, which was held before the New Zealand-Norway match.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
The roughly 10-minute opening ceremony celebrated both New Zealand and Australia's indigenous heritage and culture, with Māori and First Nations dancers and singers taking to the center of the field.
Abbie Parr/AP
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony at Auckland's Eden Park.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Performers dance during the opening ceremony.
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A performer is pictured during the opening ceremony.
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Benee and Mallrat perform "Do It Again," the official song of this year's Women's World Cup, during the opening ceremony. Benee is from New Zealand and Mallrat is from Australia.
Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Dancers take the field during the opening ceremony.
David Rowland/Reuters
Children hold flags during the opening ceremony.
The dominance of the US women’s team and quality of the country’s female soccer development means there are more talented players than the national squad can take – and players who don’t make the cut may then look elsewhere.
“If you are born and raised in the US and you hold dual citizenship, for example Nigerian or Jamaican or Mexican, and you are an excellent football player but you won’t make it to the US national team … you have the option to represent … any other country,” said Oonk.
Even if they’re good enough to make the women’s side, they may not be selected for the 23-player World Cup roster, or may only play a bit-part from the substitutes’ bench. In that case, it may still be a better option for an American player to move to another national team where they can shine, he added.
Schaerlaeckens added that the abundance of American women’s talent represented a “valuable commodity to be mined” – meaning “those leftover players tend to have no shortage of suitors among the nations they might be eligible for.”
“Absent enough talent of its own, the men’s national team has found opportunity in a changing environment that allows players to switch nations,” said Schaerlaeckens.
“At first, they went after the dual-national players who plainly had no chance of making another country’s national team. More recently, it has also pursued those also coveted by the nations of their birth, or where they were primarily developed.”
Some female players have alluded to these motivations, such as Sarina Bolden, a California-born player with the Philippines’ World Cup squad.
“Essentially it kind of boiled down to being able to make an impact,” she told CNN. “The US is highly, highly competitive, it’s a big country so there’s a lot of talent to pull from … When am I going to have the opportunity to even play in a World Cup?”
Many women players also cite their personal heritage as major factors in representing another country.
Under FIFA’s rules, players can only represent countries where they hold nationality, such as their countries of birth or those where their parents or grandparents are from. They can also represent nations with no link to ancestry if they have lived there for a certain number of years.
That means many US-born players overseas are representing their families’ homelands – which many cite as a powerful connection.
Until Bolden joined the Philippines team, she’d never even visited the Southeast Asian country, she said, adding she had wanted to “explore more of the other side of me, my roots.”
Noa Ganthier, a 20-year-old from Florida, said the first time she attended a soccer camp in her father’s native Haiti, she felt something click in a way she’d never experienced at similar sessions in the US.
“I was singing and dancing the first time, we’re all laughing, having fun together. It was just a completely different vibe,” she said. “From that moment I knew for sure (I wanted to play for Haiti).”
“There’s a different pride playing for Haiti,” she said. “I can’t describe the feeling but putting the jersey on, seeing your last name on a Haitian jersey, is one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.”
Danielle Etienne, a Virginia native also on the Haitian women’s team, said Haiti was the country that “saw me for me, and saw me as someone of value.” Her father, Derrick Etienne, played for Haiti’s men’s national team.
“Being American, that’s where I was born – but I’m Haitian through and through,” she said.
Though the proportion of foreign-born players on international soccer teams has remained fairly stable for decades – 10-12% on men’s teams, and 6-8% on women’s, according to Oonk’s research – it could grow rapidly in the years ahead, he said.
“There are more countries active now … in finding dual nationals abroad that may represent their countries,” he said, pointing to Mexico and Nigeria’s women’s teams.
Many African nations are also looking for potential athletes in the African diaspora, for both men’s and women’s soccer, he added. The same trend has been seen in Asia, with China and Vietnam among those recruiting athletes who were born or raised overseas – even if they don’t speak the language or have never stepped foot in their ancestral countries.
The practice has also courted controversy, specifically regarding athletes who play for countries they have no ancestral ties to.
Instances like these raise a moral quandary for the sporting world, with some questioning the value of international sports events when teams can shop for non-nationals, Oonk said.
Others point out that allowing players to choose whichever team offers the best opportunities or pay, regardless of nationality, lends an unfair advantage to wealthy nations hungry for global recognition – and could take opportunities away from athletes in those countries.
To this end, national sports federations have tried to impose certain regulations to make it more difficult for athletes to jump around. But, experts say, teams will inevitably become more diverse as multiple nationalities become more common.
“I think international soccer has, for some time, and both on the men’s and women’s side, been a kind of microcosm for globalization,” Schaerlaeckens said.
“A great many players are now eligible to represent two or three or more countries. This is the way of the world now, and soccer has reflected that.”