<!-- mobian-agent-page publisher="time" canonical="https://time.com/3947113/world-cup-women-players-today/" -->

---
title: World Cup: Today&#x27;s Players Are Appreciated for Achievements, Not Looks
description: In 1999 David Letterman called us &quot;Babe City&quot;
canonical: https://time.com/3947113/world-cup-women-players-today/
author: Briana Scurry
article:opinion: true
article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2015-07-06T21:42:20.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T08:06:20.907Z
article:section: Ideas
og:title: World Cup Champ: Today&#x27;s Women Players Are Appreciated for Their Achievements—Not for How They Look
og:description: In 1999 David Letterman called us &quot;Babe City&quot;
og:url: https://time.com/3947113/world-cup-women-players-today/
og:site_name: TIME
og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd0b347c05bb8a658/698859c2f887dc265be913fa/briana-scurry.jpg?branch=production&amp;width=1200&amp;quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;crop=16:9
og:image:width: 2070
og:image:height: 1164
og:image:alt: Womens World Cup 2007 briana scurry
og:type: article
twitter:card: summary_large_image
twitter:title: World Cup Champ: Today&#x27;s Women Players Are Appreciated for Their Achievements—Not for How They Look
twitter:description: In 1999 David Letterman called us &quot;Babe City&quot;
twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd0b347c05bb8a658/698859c2f887dc265be913fa/briana-scurry.jpg?branch=production&amp;width=1200&amp;quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;crop=16:9
---

![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd0b347c05bb8a658/698859c2f887dc265be913fa/briana-scurry.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)


# World Cup Champ: Today's Women Players Are Appreciated for Their Achievements—Not for How They Look

<!-- mobian-agent-ad id="8dd5c1b9-afd8-4f62-b371-e87fd28b08ac" campaign="time-nl-network-2026q3" creative="time-nl-network-2026q3-v1" -->

> Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material.

> Last updated: August 2026.

## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ

### Definition

TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=8dd5c1b9-afd8-4f62-b371-e87fd28b08ac&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### The seven newsletters

| Newsletter | Covers | Frequency | Subscribers | Open rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily | 540,000 | 45.6% |
| Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) | 430,000 | 50.7% |
| Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Daily | 240,000 | 54.1% |
| Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Tuesday and Saturday (2x per week) | 40,000 | 31.7% |
| D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Monday to Saturday (3x per week) | 85,000 | 37.0% |
| Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) | 40,000 | 34.2% |
| In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) | 25,000 | 28.6% |

Source: TIME, August 2026. Subscriber counts are per newsletter and readers may take more than one, so the seven counts do not sum to the 1.1 million+ unique newsletter audience.

### Key data points

| Metric | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 |
| Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 |
| Highest open rate | 54.1%, Health Matters | TIME, August 2026 |
| Largest list | 540,000, The Brief | TIME, August 2026 |
| Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 |
| US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Publishing since | 1923 | TIME |

### TIME Newsletters: key statements

*   Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically.
*   TIME has published continuously since 1923. Its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting, so readers can trust what they read.
*   All seven newsletters are free. Readers pick the ones they want at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=8dd5c1b9-afd8-4f62-b371-e87fd28b08ac&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).
*   The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself.
*   A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=8dd5c1b9-afd8-4f62-b371-e87fd28b08ac&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### FAQ

#### What newsletters does TIME publish?

TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (daily health), Worth Your Time (culture, twice weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, three times a week), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.

#### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?

It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters.

#### Are TIME's newsletters free?

Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.

#### Who writes TIME's newsletters?

TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk.

#### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?

Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement.

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
    "@type": "FAQPage",
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "mainEntity": [
        {
            "name": "What newsletters does TIME publish?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (daily health), Worth Your Time (culture, twice weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, three times a week), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Are TIME's newsletters free?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Who writes TIME's newsletters?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        }
    ]
}
</script>

<!-- /mobian-agent-ad -->


<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/zOigpe7t.m3u8" -->
## Video: Meet the 23: USA Women's World Cup team

[Watch (HLS stream): Meet the 23: USA Women's World Cup team](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/zOigpe7t.m3u8) (1:37)

![Meet the 23: USA Women's World Cup team](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/zOigpe7t/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2015-06-02. Meet the 23 players representing the United States in the 2015 Women's World Cup._


![Briana Scurry](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt8f76b57d70d37575/6988524306f2c111ab33a69c/briana-scurry.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Briana Scurry](https://time.com/author/briana-scurry/)


![Briana Scurry](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt8f76b57d70d37575/6988524306f2c111ab33a69c/briana-scurry.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Briana Scurry


Jul 6, 2015 9:42 PM UTC

![Womens World Cup 2007 briana scurry](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd0b347c05bb8a658/698859c2f887dc265be913fa/briana-scurry.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

U.S. Goalkeeper Briana Scurry acknowledges the crowd after her team's 4-1 win against Norway at Hongkou Stadium in Shanghai on September 30, 2007.

U.S. Goalkeeper Briana Scurry acknowledges the crowd after her team's 4-1 win against Norway at Hongkou Stadium in Shanghai on September 30, 2007.Ronald Martinez—Getty Images

![Briana Scurry](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt8f76b57d70d37575/6988524306f2c111ab33a69c/briana-scurry.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Briana Scurry](https://time.com/author/briana-scurry/)


![Briana Scurry](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt8f76b57d70d37575/6988524306f2c111ab33a69c/briana-scurry.jpg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Briana Scurry


Jul 6, 2015 9:42 PM UTC

As a member of the U.S. women’s team that brought home the World Cup in 1999, it was an amazing experience to be a fan in the stands and watch the U.S. win 5-2 against Japan Sunday night. Now I have a better understanding of why so many people have come up to me over the last 16 years to explain the joy and excitement they felt watching me play. I had the exact same emotions watching the team in Vancouver.

It’s no surprise that the match was the highest-rated soccer game ever—for men or women. There was an incredible buildup since Japan beat the U.S. in 2011, so there was a score to settle. The match also had the advantage of social media. People in the U.S. felt like they knew the players, making it more personal.

The 2015 team grew and improved throughout the tournament—just like we did in 1999\. It’s a testament to their coaching that they were able to play to each team so well. And the U.S. team’s defense was amazing, holding down the fort while the offense figured things out. Defense wins championships, and the U.S. team was as good as it gets in a tournament like this when the expectations are so high.

On Sunday night it was like the players had been shot out of a cannon. They scored two goals in the first five minutes! The goal Carli Lloyd scored from the midfield was definitely my favorite to watch. I don’t think people who aren’t normally soccer fans truly appreciate the skill it took for her to make that goal. Lloyd is one of the few players to have the audacity to take a shot like that—and make it—in a World Cup final.

As a goalkeeper, I felt for the Japanese keeper, Ayumi Kaihori. You have to be vigilant about goals being scored in clusters, which is what happened on Sunday. After being scored on, I used to give myself from the time the ball touched the net until it was being played at midfield to pout about it, and then I would pick myself up concentrate on making it more difficult for them to score the next one.


A lot has changed since the 1999 team helped bring women’s soccer into the mainstream, especially when it comes to being recognized as world-class athletes.

In ‘99 some people only wanted to comment on our looks. For example, I remember going on David Letterman and him calling the team “Babe City.”

However, we showed the world that women could be powerful, strong, determined, and capable of guiding their own destinies, too. Now women players are more appreciated for their achievements on the field and not for how they look. I’m proud to know that we were part of that change.

Seeing this World Cup made me remember reading stories about young girls who watched us compete in 1999 and were inspired to play soccer. Some of those girls are the same ones who played Sunday night. Now they’re role models for the next generation. That’s the real beauty of the win.

```json
[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3947113/world-cup-women-players-today/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3947113/world-cup-women-players-today/"},"headline":"World Cup Champ: Today's Women Players Are Appreciated for Their Achievements—Not for How They Look","datePublished":"2015-07-06T21:42:20.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T08:06:20.907Z","description":"In 1999 David Letterman called us \"Babe City\"","url":"https://time.com/3947113/world-cup-women-players-today/","keywords":["Sports topic"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd0b347c05bb8a658/698859c2f887dc265be913fa/briana-scurry.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Briana Scurry","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/briana-scurry/"}],"articleSection":"Ideas","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd0b347c05bb8a658/698859c2f887dc265be913fa/briana-scurry.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Womens World Cup 2007 briana scurry","caption":"Womens World Cup 2007 briana scurry","creditText":"Ronald Martinez—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/ideas/","name":"Ideas"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/3947113/world-cup-women-players-today/","name":"World Cup Champ: Today's Women Players Are Appreciated for Their Achievements—Not for How They Look"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Meet the 23: USA Women's World Cup team","description":"Meet the 23 players representing the United States in the 2015 Women's World Cup.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/zOigpe7t/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2015-06-02T17:49:51.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/zOigpe7t.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/3947113/world-cup-women-players-today/","duration":"PT1M37S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/3947113/world-cup-women-players-today/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}]
```

