Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team is a fitting portrait of an imperfect team, but the docuseries often buckles under its embedded pressure. Directed by Rebecca Gitliz, the four-part documentary series provides a necessary humanizing lens for USWNT (U.S. Women’s National Team) players, chronicling their inspiration and resilience through the generations. However, its limited-series status, likely caused by the team’s early knockout during FIFA’s Women’s World Cup 2023, leaves little new ground to cover.
Of course, Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team will be a good watch for someone who isn’t as invested in the game or this team’s role in it. But for those who bent sleeping schedules to chant “Oosa-Oosa-Oosa-Ah” at the top of their lungs, elements of this docuseries will be frustrating. Even casual fans of the sport and this team may find some of its detours the same.
Because of the adjustment for timing from the early exit, this docuseries spends the bulk of two episodes leading up to the World Cup. Consequently, the pacing makes it so that Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team spends more time preparing for and reacting to the World Cup than detailing the ins and outs of the games that the USWNT play during their participation.
Nevertheless, “Episode 1” efficiently introduces key players – Lynn Williams and Kristie Mewis are the standouts from all four parts. The insights those two women bring to the docuseries about their motivations, the emotional toll of being a “bubble player,” the anticipation of that first touch on a world stage, and the glimpses into their personal lives (Wishing the best to Kristie Mewis and Sam Kerr!) makes for a relatable viewing experience.
Even if someone hasn’t touched a football or shown an interest in the sport, they can feel what Kristie Mewis and Lynn Williams do because of their retellings and the docuseries’ choice to sit in those vital turning points with them, like awaiting the call from Vlatko. It’s a testament to the direction and editing that, despite knowing Kristie, Lynn, and Alyssa Thompson — another great perspective throughout — get the call, it feels like they won’t.
That first outing even sufficiently introduces the USWNT’s coach during the tournament, Vlatko Andonovski.
Considering the comments about his ability to lead the team, it is beneficial to hear formidable players like Alex Morgan and Lindsey Horan compliment his coaching methods. Likewise, it’s relevant that Alex circles back to the coaching and admits that other plays may not have had the same “comfortable” and “vulnerable” working experience with Vlatko that she and Lindsey did. That hindsight in “Episode 4” illuminates the players’ performances during the tournament.
Still, the most successful moments of Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team are when it juxtaposes the players’ personal lives and hard work with the harsh, often disproportional commentary within the media.
For that reason, it’s fantastic to hear from the likes of Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach, Christen Press, and Tobin Heath – 2-time World Cup winners with thoughtful commentary on the 2023 team and the broader women’s game. Journalistically, Meg Linehan, a Senior Writer at The Athletic, is also a valued voice who usually offers considerate analysis. Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team would have benefited from more voices like theirs, even featuring more of the team at the World Cup, than platforming Carli Lloyd.
Fans, journalists, and contemporary players alike contested Lloyd’s commentary during the World Cup – namely when Lloyd questioned the USWNT’s mentality. Steph Yang wrote a resonative piece about why Lloyd’s comments were wrong for The Athletic in August. Lloyd saying, “I think I’m the only US Women’s National Team player that has ever been this open and honest about what I’m seeing…” is wild considering Press and Heath’s successful Re-Cap Show for RE–INC. If that’s not proof enough, Midge Purce joined forces with Katie Nolan for The 91st with Midge Purce and Katie Nolan to discuss the World Cup.
Regardless of those discussion shows, Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team features the voices of many former USWNT players, including the legendary Mia Hamm. It’s absurd for Lloyd to assert herself as the most open when the four-episode docuseries features multiple critical voices. What sets them apart from Lloyd is that they lead with optimism while she leans toward the latter.
Therefore, Heath saying, “There’s no idea of a golden generation. The US Women’s National Team is golden,” holds a far more lasting impact than Lloyd’s words. In that vein, the USWNT’s loss during this World Cup doesn’t solidify the team’s status as losers (The Olympics are right around the corner!) or erase their progress.
Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team detours during “Episode 3” to revisit the glory – and not-so glory – days of the ‘99ers. Their determination to get more eyes on the women’s game and win the World Cup paid off. That legacy lives on even though the USWNT doesn’t win in 2023. As often as players and commentators say “pressure” (It’s A LOT), they also reinforce how the world is catching up to the USWNT’s game. That progress happens because of the growing engagement, investment, and success in women’s sports worldwide – from the grass-roots level to the club level to national teams.
Of course, there is still plenty of progress to be made – even within this docuseries. Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team’s repeatedly showing Luis Rubiales assaulting Jenni Hermoso (which she formerly accused him of in September) while discussing how wrong it is and how it overshadows Spain’s win at the World Cup is utterly tone-deaf. It’s an unfortunate disconnect from the docuseries’ otherwise cohesive and uplifting message about athletes using their platforms for good.
Because, at its heart, Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team is a four-part documentary series about seeing 23 players (though it only hears from a fraction of them) as human beings with plenty to offer on and off the field. From 1999 to 2023, the USWNT has created tremendous changes – fan engagement within stadiums, sponsorships, pay equity – within and outside the game. They are formidable football players, but they’re also complex women who will continue to offer so much to the game and the world beyond FIFA’s Women’s World Cup 2023 – and that’s a legacy to remember.
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Under Pressure: The U.S. Women’s World Cup Team is streaming on Netflix.