Though I’ve never been a natural athlete, I admit that soccer was one of my favorite team sports as a kid, so perhaps it comes as no surprise that I enjoy watching soccer matches on occasion – even if they’re often in the background while I work. Of course, with a husband who’s always been an avid fan of soccer – whether playing the sport as a teenager or watching it as an adult – it probably also comes as no surprise that, every time the FIFA World Cup comes around, our television is tuned to ESPN or whichever network happens to be broadcasting the games – no matter what crazy time of day or night that might be.

For the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup, our television was once again dominated by soccer – particularly whenever the U.S. team was playing. In true American fashion, the ladies demonstrated passion and perseverance – often bucking the odds to claw their way to the final match, which Dan and I (not to mention most of America) sincerely hoped they’d win. But, alas, despite incredible talent and fervent desire, it simply wasn’t meant to be.

Still, as much as I’d wanted the U.S. team to reign supreme and as heartbroken as I felt for all the American players, I can’t say that I was too disappointed. As many others have already said and written, seeing the Japanese team hold the first-place trophy aloft was truly wondrous to behold – especially in the wake of the terrible earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis that Japan suffered earlier in the year. In many respects, Japan’s win – the first for its country – reminded me of the overwhelming relief and satisfaction that I felt when the New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts in the 2010 Super Bowl – marking the Saints’ first Super Bowl win and a victory that the entire Katrina-ravaged city of New Orleans desperately needed.

Of course, the great thing about major sporting events is that they will inevitably come around again – so the U.S. women’s team (even one composed of slightly different players) will have another chance to take home the title. In the meantime, you can watch many of the players that were on this year’s team here in the United States. In fact, despite their second-place status in the 2011 FIFA World Cup Final, the women of the U.S. soccer team have expressed the hope that the World Cup will spark interest in women’s soccer in America. Currently, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) promotes six teams, including the Atlanta Beat, the Boston Breakers, the Philadelphia Independence, the Western New York Flash, the Sky Blue PC, which is based out of New Jersey and New York, and the magicJack, which is situated in southern Florida and boasts World Cup heroines like forward Abby Wambach and goalkeeper Hope Solo on its roster. So, if you’re feeling a bit of withdrawal following the U.S. team’s loss in this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, then by all means, consult the upcoming schedules and head to a professional soccer game near you!

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