Mike Ryan: The story of the founding Irish father of the US women's national team 

In 1985, Mike Ryan, a 50-year-old Dubliner was the first coach in the history of the US women.

BACK IN THE DAY: Mike Ryan, far left, before the 1985 debut of the USWNT in Jesolo, Italy. Pic: Ryan family

Thirty eight years later, Michelle Akers still vividly remembers the fire and the ferocity — and the frothing too.

The US Women’s National Team of 2023 who Vera Pauw’s Ireland line up against here in Austin on Saturday are a behemoth, reigning and back-to-back World Cup winners, six years undisturbed atop FIFA’s rankings. They’re a beacon too, of hope and inspiration, of progress and pride. A marketing dream.