Women's Soccer - 2023

February 16, 2023

The USPS issued a stamp in celebration of the SheBelieves Cup, an international soccer tournament taking place February 16-22 with team from Brazil, Canada, Japan and the United States.

The first day ceremony was held at Exploira Stadium, Orlando, Florida

The tournament is being held at Exploria Stadium, Geodis Park in Nashville, Tennessee and Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas

The stamp was designed by USPS art director Antonio Alcala using an illustration from artist Noah MacMillan, who died in 2022 at age 33. macMillan was well known for his art, as his clients included Major League Soccer and various clubs within the league

Noah MacMillan

The USPS provided two different first day postmarks

1984 Olympic Soccer

Pinback button

Lapel pins

maximum card featuring the 1984 Olympic Soccer stamp art, by Bob Peak

various first day covers: Artcraft PCS, Artmaster, Colorano silk, Fleetwood, LA Olympic Organizing Committee

commemorative medallion

Grateful Dead soccer

Issued in 1998 by Mongolia, the American rock band the Grateful Dead's dancing bear mascot was pictured participating in several sports, one of which was soccer. Although I don't know if any of the members of the Dead have an interest in soccer, they have supported the 1990 Lithuanian Olympic Basketball team, including their wearing tie-dyed jerseys.

Several members have also sang the national anthem at San Francisco Giants games..

Countries like Mongolia often issue stamps not for their postal validity, but to bring in revenue from collectors...

US Soccer Stamps

Besides the Olympic envelope issued in 1979, the first soccer related issue for the United States, 4 additional stamps honoring Olympic Soccer have been issued...1983 for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, 1992 Barcelona Olympics and 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The 1992 issued had the following printed in the selvage along side the stamp - The XXV Olympic Summer Games will be held in Barcelona, Spain, July 25-August 9, 1992..The popularity of soccer in the US has grown tremendously in recent years, and the improved quality of play has enabled US teams to become more competitive than ever before in the world soccer arena.

In 1994 the US issued 3 stamps to honor the World Cup, which was being held in the US for the first time. Along with the 3 individual stamps a souvenir sheet with all 3 stamps was issued.

In 2000 a set of four stamps honoring youth sports was issued featuring soccer, baseball, football and basketball.