Under the Lights and In the Dark: Untold Stories of Women's Soccer

by Gwendolyn Oxenham

Overview

Under the Lights and in the Dark: Untold Stories of Women's Soccer takes an unprecedented look inside the lives of professional football players around the world - from precarious positions in underfunded teams and leagues, to sold-out stadiums and bright lights. Award-winning filmmaker and journalist Gwendolyn Oxenham tells the stories of the phenoms, underdogs, and nobodies - players willing to follow the game wherever it takes them. 



Under the Lights and in the Dark takes us inside the world of women's soccer, following players across the globe, from Portland Thorns star Allie Long, who trains in an underground men's league in New York City; to English national Fara Williams, who hid her homelessness from her teammates while playing for the English national team. Oxenham takes us to Voronezh, Russia, where players battle more than just snowy pitches in pursuing their dream of playing pro, and to a refugee camp in Denmark, where Nadia Nadim, now a Danish international star, honed her skills after her family fled from the Taliban.



Whether you're a newcomer to the sport or a die-hard fan, this is an inspiring book about stars' beginnings and adventures, struggles and hardship, and, above all, the time-honored romance of the game.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785783197
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing
Publication date:	04/05/2018
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	1,103,686
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Gwendolyn Oxenham is the author of Finding the Game: Three Years, Twenty-five Countries and the Search for Pickup Soccer (St Martin's Press) and the director of Pelada, an award-winning documentary. She has written for The Atlantic, Sports Illustrated, and Slate, and has an MFA in creative writing. A Duke University soccer alum who played for Santos FC in Brazil, she currently lives in Dana Point, California. 

Table of Contents

1. 'La Gringa' a. Profile of Allie Long b. Teams/leagues covered: US national team, underground leagues, Portland Thorns (US) c. Other: profiles of other USWNT and rookie players

2. 'Welcome to Russia' a. Profile of Dani Foxhoven b. Teams/leagues covered: Russian league, Portland Thorns (US) c. Other: profiles of international teammates

3. 'A Home on the Pitch' a. Tells the story of an non-professional player for whom a football outreach program turns her life around b. Profile of England national Fara Williams and her outreach to homeless women c. Teams/leagues covered: Homeless World Cup, England national team, Liverpool Ladies (UK)

4. 'A French Football Fairy Tale' a. Teams/leagues covered: French national team (men's, women's and youth) b. Player profiles: Camille Abily, Louisa Nécib, Laura Georges, Amandine Henry; Zinedine Zidane, Lilian Thuram

5. The Football Refugee a. Profile of Nadia Nadim, with a focus on her childhood as a refugee b. Teams/leagues covered: Danish national team, Portland Thorns (US)

6. 'Play Away the Gay' a. Explores the clash between homosexuality and Christianity in soccer b. Teams/leagues covered: Charlotte Eagles (US)

7. Alinco, the Super Falcon a. Profile of Josephine Alinco b. Teams/leagues covered: Nigerian national team, Swedish league, very briefly Washington Spirit (US) c. Other: looks at the growth of women’s football in Africa; how players use soccer as an escape/ to provide for their families

8. Magic, Hope, and Brazil's Number 10 a. Profile of Marta b. Teams/leagues covered: Brazil national team (men's, women's), Santos (Brazil), Rosengard (Sweden) c. Other: also touches on Neymar and Pele, plus examines the difficulty of finding solvent women's professional teams to play for

9. 'The Comeback Moms' a. Explores the benefits of being a mother and a professional soccer player b. Player profiles: Amy Rodriguez (US national), Jessica McDonald (US national), Katie Chapman (England national), Melissa Barbieri

10. 'The Indominable Lioness' a. Profile of Gaelle Enganamouit b. Teams/leagues covered: Swedish league, Serbian league, Cameroon national team c. Other: Explores the mixing of cultures & languages between international players

11. 'Beyond the Field' a. Focus on how players make a living off the field, and on those who have to give up the dream of professional soccer

(Australia national), Tamires (Brazil), Solveig Gulbrandsen (Norway national) c. Teams/leagues covered: US, England, Australian and Norwegian national teams; Seattle Reign (US), Kansas City (US), Adelaide United (Aus), Western New York Flash (US)

12. 'Rose City 'Til I Die' a. Fan culture focus- looks at the unparalleled support received by the Thorns; extends hope for the future of the US women's league, and women's soccer more broadly b. Teams/leagues covered: Portland Thorns (US)

Editorial Reviews

"The book's true virtues are in its complexities and portrayals of the players whose lives are interesting both on and off the field ... Oxenham understands a good sports story must work as a mirror to reflect the world around it. And, like Friday Night Lights or Seabiscuit, Under the Lights and In the Dark does just that ... This work is truly a testament to women's soccer and women in sports. It is also a fun story for both sports fans and plain old readers alike."

Washington Independent Review of Books Gretchen Lida

"The twelve-year-old girl reading this as part of her English homework will be as engrossed as the 60-year-old who never dreamt that these things could happen to a female soccer player. That's a fantastic skill to have as a writer."

The Gorey Guardian

"A startlingly good book. Oxenham is a marvelous observer. These are moving, uplifting stories from around the world- what top soccer is like when there's no money or fame in it and you just do it for love."

Simon Kuper

"The book, a blend of stand-up-and-cheer triumphs and bittersweet cautionary tales, is a revelation, and it is a must-read for anyone curious about not just women's soccer, but the beautiful game."

The Globe and Mail

"One of the most compelling sports books I have ever read ... There are so many moments within the book I found myself mouth wide opened in shock as to how these incredible women were treated ... I highly recommend this book to people from all sports, particularly those at the decision making levels of governing bodies to remind them that at the end of their decisions is a very real, passionate and dedicated person."

Female Coaching Network

If you care one iota about women's football, stop what you're doing, order this book right now - both to understand the true state of the game and to support Oxenham in her work. This is an essential read.

Men in Blazers podcast

"[A] big, stunning masterpiece"

The Equalizer Allison Lee

"Gwendolyn is the master at finding incredible soccer stories. These are stories that need to be heard- told in a way that leaves you begging for more. Thank you, Gwen, for shining a light on the natural, raw, real beauty of the beautiful game."

Julie Foudy

The book’s true virtues are in its complexities and portrayals of the players whose lives are interesting both on and off the field … Oxenham understands a good sports story must work as a mirror to reflect the world around it. And, like Friday Night Lights or Seabiscuit, Under the Lights and In the Dark does just that … This work is truly a testament to women’s soccer and women in sports. It is also a fun story for both sports fans and plain old readers alike.

Washington Independent Review

"Oxenham is one of my favorite soccer writers; she connects on a deeply human level with the people who are the soul of the global game. I love this book."

Grant Wahl

The book, a blend of stand-up-and-cheer triumphs and bittersweet cautionary tales, is a revelation, and it is a must-read for anyone curious about not just women's soccer, but the beautiful game.

From the Publisher

09/15/2017
Fans of women's soccer face a twin challenge in the United States: the game itself is still aspiring to major league status, and women's sports are generally overshadowed by men's. There is a real sense, though, that momentum is building here and around the world for women's soccer, enthusiastically confirmed in this collection of biographical profiles by journalist Oxenham (Finding the Game). Among the voices highlighted are a gay goalkeeper in Tennessee, an African player struggling with culture shock, and an Afghani refugee—all of whom are devoted to the game they love. Oxenham's own experiences as a college and overseas professional give her special insight into the players' passion, despite their low pay and uncertain work conditions. The collection ends with a chapter about the Portland, OR, Thorns, a National Women's Soccer League team with an engaged fan base worthy of any major league team. VERDICT An eye-opening, cohesive collection of fascinating stories that will help bring women's soccer to the next level. Appropriate for high school students, public libraries, and all readers interested in the future of the sport.—Janet Davis, Darien P.L., CT

Library Journal