The US Women’s National soccer team is ranked No. 1 in the world, and there are several reasons for that. One is Title IX, which legislators passed in 1972. In response, high school and college programs across the country started women's soccer programs. And a rise in the number of players translated to a rise in talent. But it’s hard to consider America’s success without acknowledging the suppression of women’s soccer abroad. Several countries banned the sport in the past, which has lead to a lower level of competition today.