The U.S. women’s national soccer team began its effort to capture a fourth World Cup championship Tuesday with a record-breaking win. The U.S. beat Thailand 13-0 in the first round of Group F play. Along with winning championships and setting records, the U.S. women hope to break through barriers in their sport. For years, professional women soccer players have suffered low pay and a lack of sponsorship deals. Such problems have a common source: the lack of a large audience. This year, however, could be different, as France holds the 2019 women’s World Cup event. FIFA, soccer’s governing body, is predicting one billion people will watch the games around the world. That would be an increase of over 30 percent from the 2015 women’s World Cup, held in Canada. American soccer player and 2015 World Cup winner Julie Ertz says her team is thinking mainly about two things: winning and increasing the sport’s popularity.

What is an audience?
a chain of grocery stores
a breed of cat
a group of people who gather together to listen to or watch something
a brand of clothing
For years, professional women soccer players have suffered low what and a lack of sponsorship deals?
pay
enthusiasm
skill
age
FIFA, soccers governing body, is predicting one billion people will watch the games around the world.
country
town
city
world