USL Spokane is Supporting Sponsor of international soccer tournament | Image Credit: U.S. Armed Forces Sports
SPOKANE, Wash. - Before USL Spokane hits the pitch in USL League One and the USL W League, the 13th Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) World Military Women's Football Championship hosted by Fairchild Air Force Base kicked off in Spokane on Monday.
Featuring competition amongst current or former armed forces personnel, the Women's Football Championship is one of 25 annual and biannual sporting events conducted by CISM. Additionally, CISM organizes the Military World Summer Games and the Military World Winter Games - multi-sport events typically held every four years.
"This is just the beginning of welcoming and celebrating sport, culture and diversity in our community through soccer," USL Spokane President Cindy Chipman said. "Nearly 50 years ago, Spokane welcomed the world to our city with Expo ’74. It’s time again to see flags from around the world in our community, and it’s exciting to know soccer is the reason we are enjoying this amazing event."
With most military sporting championships dating back to the period immediately following World War II, variations of the Men's World Military Football Cup began in Prague in 1946 and have since been held nearly every year since. The Women's Football Championship began in 2001 and has taken place in the United States on three occasions (Newport News, Va. - 2004; Biloxi, Miss. - 2009; Spokane, Wash. - 2022).
While the U.S. Armed Forces Men’s Soccer Team have never won the World Military Football Cup in the competition's 73-year history, the U.S. Armed Forces Women’s Soccer Team have been victorious once in the Women's Football Championship, defeating Germany 1-0 in the 2002 Final held in Kingston, Ont.
"Growing the women’s game and opportunities for our female athletes is a top priority for USL Spokane," Chipman added. "It’s so important for our young women to be able to 'see it so they can be it.' Helping bring high-level women’s soccer to the region will do this and give a pathway to the incredible talent that exists in our region."
For more information and to stream matches, visit the competition's website.