More proof that women’s soccer is the best

Today, La Nación reported that women’s soccer player María José Brenes of the Saprissa club has been giving away jerseys to people who donate money, food or masks for those in need during the COVID-19 crisis.

This wasn’t a team effort or a project of the Saprissa Foundation. It was just María José, trying to figure out a way to help. And I’m not surprised: women’s players have to hustle their whole lives (to get respect and recognition, to eke out a living between their sport and their other jobs), so they are well suited for a moment like this.

María José isn’t alone. Raquel Morera, Lixy Rodríguez, Viviana Chinchilla and Valery Sandoval are also listed in the article as impromptu fundraisers. They’ve been joining forces to pick up in-kind donations and get them where they need to go. I hope that after today’s press coverage, some more resources will line up behind these players.

Thank you, ladies, for showing us not just how women do, but also what it means to be an athlete and a role model. We see you.

I’m a writer in San José, Costa Rica, on a year-long quest to share daily posts on inspiring people, places and ideas from my adopted home as a kind of tonic during a rough time in the world. Sign up (top right of this page) to receive a little dose of inspiration every weekday in your mailbox; tell a friend; check out past posts; and please connect with me on Instagram or Facebook! If you want to learn more about how to support Costa Rica during the crisis, visit my COVID-19 section – or for ways to enjoy Costa Rica from afar, visit Virtual Costa Rica.