Women’s interest in soccer growing ahead of the Women’s World Cup

 

BROOKFIELD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Opening games for the women's world cup are tonight, one in New Zealand and one in Australia. If you're cheering for local athletes, keep your eyes on the Philippines team.

We're at the Brookfield Sports Complex where these ladies are having fun and getting a little practice in ahead of turning on their TVs for the women's world cup games.

Part of the fun this year for Wisconsinites will be watching sisters and UWM alums play at this level of soccer.

"There are so many opportunities right now. Women's soccer is growing very, very fast," said Eva Van Deursen of Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

These two young ladies made the German team that's at the highest level of soccer.

"We have over 10 players that are in the world cup right now," said Van Deursen.

With so many fans, think of it like the Green Bay Packers.

"It was always a kid's dream for me to play in the highest league in Germany and so yea, this is a big honor for me to play there," said Elisa Senss of Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

The two are in town now for this kid's soccer camp put on by the Milwaukee Torrent.

"We have this year for the first time more girls than boys at the camp," said Andreas Davi, owner of the Milwaukee Torrent.

Soccer's an international sport but wasn't always a sport that welcomed women. Milwaukee Torrent's women's program played their first games in 2018.

"Yea, it's hard to think about and I'm honestly super thankful for the past generations and they pushed through, and it gives me goosebumps if I talk about it because it's just amazing that we are so free right now to play it and I hope it's going to keep developing in this positive direction for sure," said Van Deursen.

Camp's finishing up this week, and you just never know if there's another future world cup player among them.

"Training hard yes, super super important, but having fun and believing in yourself is the thing I would say is super important," said Van Deursen.

The game's at midnight and you can watch all three local athletes, they're on the Philippines team.