The 1985 United States women's national soccer team was the first USWNT to play international matches.
Team members were each given a pair of cleats and $10 a day for food, and sewed the "USA" decal on the front of their shirts the night before flying to Italy.
The Americans were the guests of honor at a rock concert and Michelle Akers, Emily Pickering, and Linda Gancitano were invited to model clothing for a photo shoot.
In their first match, on August 18, 1985, the Americans, accustomed to a polite women's game as it was then in the United States, were out-played by an experienced and physical Italian team and lost 1–0.
[10] On August 21, the U.S. team found their footing and tied Denmark 2-2, with Akers and Pickering scoring goals.