# 5754a - 2023 First-Class Forever Stamp - Imperforate Women's Soccer

U.S. #5754a
2023 Women’s Soccer (Imperforate)

• Issued at the start of the 2023 SheBelieves Cup
• Celebrates women’s soccer in the United States

Stamp Category:  Commemorative
Value:  63¢ 1-ounce First-class Rate (Forever)
First Day of Issue:  February 16, 2023
First Day City(s):  Orlando, FL
Quantity Issued (if known):  20,000,000 (Includes die-cut AND imperforate stamps.  The exact quantity of imperforate stamps is unknown, but it is only a tiny fraction of the total print quantity, making the imperforates much scarcer than traditional die-cut stamps.)
Printed by:  Banknote Corporation of America
Printing Method:  Offset, Microprint
Format:  Pane of 20
Self-Adhesive

Why the stamp was issued:  This stamp was issued to celebrate women’s soccer in the United States all the way from youth leagues to the world-champion US Women’s National Team.

About the stamp design:  The design pictures an original illustration by artist Noah MacMillan (1988-2022) of a female soccer player kicking the ball in a dramatic move known as a side volley.  The red, white, and blue coloration reminds us of our flag and the popularity and success of women’s soccer in America.

First Day City:  This stamp’s First Day of Issue Ceremony was in Orlando, Florida, at the Exploria Stadium.  It celebrated the beginning of the SheBelieves Cup held from February 16-22, 2023, in Orlando, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; and Frisco, Texas.

History the stamp represents:  While women have been playing soccer since the beginning of the sport, it took a while for professional clubs and organizations to form.  The Football Association believed “the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged.”  This led to bans on women’s soccer in a number of countries for several decades.

The United States put together its first international women’s soccer team for the 1985 Mundialito tournament in Italy.  They lost the tournament, but hired Anson Dorrance as their first full-time head coach the following year.  It wasn’t long after that we saw superstars Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly, and others begin to appear on the scene.  The first Women’s World Cup was hosted by China in 1991, with 12 different teams competing.  In the end, the United States came out victorious after defeating Norway.  Since then, the US team has made it into the top three teams every World Cup.  Not even the US men’s team has been able to achieve that.

In 2023, the USPS issued a new Forever stamp honoring women’s soccer, just in time for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.  The event is always a fun way to bring together soccer fans from across the country to cheer on these talented athletes.