A Greater Goal - by Elizabeth Rusch (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Finalist

A CCBC Choice

More than 250 women have played on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, and most contributed to the battle for equal pay. This narrative nonfiction book by the award-winning author and journalist Elizabeth Rusch traces the evolution of that fight, bringing this important rights issue in sports and in our culture to the attention of young readers. Features extensive backmatter.

With the passage of Title IX in 1972, the doors opened for young women to play sports at a higher level. But for the women on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, being able to compete at an international level didn't mean fair treatment and fair compensation.

From economy-class airplane seats and inadequate lodging to minimal marketing and slashed wages, the women representing the United States at the Olympics, the World Cup, and other tournaments had reason to be fed up. They were expected to--and did--win, but they weren't compensated for their talent and dedication. With the help of their union and in collaboration with the men's team, they secured an equitable contract in 2022 that ultimately benefited both national teams as well as athletes of the future.

Elizabeth Rusch's A Greater Goal chronicles how members of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team fought to receive fair treatment and equal pay despite the intense pushback they received from U.S. Soccer, the governing body of soccer in the United States. With a narrative that includes player profiles and vignettes framed from team member perspectives, A Greater Goal illuminates the work, support, and grit needed to be treated with equality in a world that often undervalues the contributions of women.

Features extensive back matter, including a call to action, additional resources, and an index.

Review Quotes

"Rusch uses her research skills and passion for nonfiction texts for teens to bring awareness about advocacy to a younger generation, one that has reaped rewards but has yet to achieve true equality. . . . This work profiles women's equality in sports like a book about women's suffrage or education and provides a perspective on the historical and contemporary vantage point of those topics: important to know." - School Library Journal
"In tracing the battle for equal pay and equal treatment waged by the United States Women's National Team. . . Rusch. . . pulls off quite a feat: she keeps readers riveted by edge-of-their-seats descriptions of individual World Cup and Olympic games while educating them about gender bias, Title IX, the effects of concussion, contract negotiations, grass versus turf fields, class action lawsuits, and more. . . . For such a thorough and comprehensive account, the telling is remarkably lively. . . and filled with drama, sheroes, and villains." - Horn Book (starred review)
"Rusch writes lucidly about the frustration, anger, and determination of the talented athletes who worked together in a fight that took approximately three decades, and readers will come away empowered by her presentation of the impact of collective action. . . .While at its heart, this is an engaging account of a legal battle, there's also plenty of soccer" - Booklist (starred review)
"This thorough history of the U.S. Women's National Team centers on the players' decades long battle with the U.S. Soccer Federation for pay equity. . . . The thrilling accounts of memorable moments on the pitch vividly contrast with the crushing realities of the team members' unfair treatment. . . . The text shows the players' successes, letdowns, solidarity building, and resolve with depth and honesty. . . . An engaging, informative, and valuable contribution to the historical record." - Kirkus Reviews