When Falls the Coliseum » BSGS News Brief – Alex Morgan makes the cover of FIFA 16

BSGS News Brief – Alex Morgan makes the cover of FIFA 16

Posted on July 25th, 2015 by Alan Spoll

From time to time, the bad sports and good sports are so intertwined that it is hard to figure out which one wins out. This may be one of those occasions, although I’d give the edge to the good side. This past week, EA Sports, a video game company, revealed the cover of the next edition of its popular soccer game, titled “FIFA 16.” For the first time ever, a female player appears in the picture. Alex Morgan, a star on the U.S. women’s national soccer team, is shown next to male star Lionel Messi.

There is no doubt that it is a significant thing to see a woman on the cover of this game. Video games are predominantly played by young men, and it is a testament to the popularity of the U.S. women’s team that this has occurred. After winning its third world cup, there is no doubt that the USWNT is the class of the world in women’s soccer, and its great to see the recognition of that fact.

At the same time, the fact that Morgan was chosen shows that there is more in play here than just sports. Don’t get me wrong, she is a fantastic player and was instrumental in her squad winning the title. She is not the best player in the world, though, or even on her own team. Teammate Abby Wambach is pretty widely considered the best around, and Carli Lloyd, also on the same team, tied with a German player for the most goals in this year’s World Cup with six. Why was Morgan chosen for the cover? I have to imagine that the fact that she is very attractive had something to do with it. She has appeared on many magazine covers and in Sports Illustrated’s famed swimsuit issue as well. Her teammates, while great players, have not done likewise.

Like I said, most of the buyers of these games are guys. If you were marketing the game, who would you choose, the average-looking captain of the team who was the best player, or the great-looking one who wasn’t the best player but was close? Easy choice, right? OK. I am pretty sure Lionel Messi wasn’t going to get displaced for a handsomer guy, though, unless that guy was a better player.

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Alan Spoll

Alan Spoll is a software quality assurance director from the suburbs of Philadelphia where he lives with his wonderful wife and children. He has spent his entire life as a passionate fan of the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers, and Penn State. Recent Phillies success aside, you will understand his natural negativity. Follow me on Twitter - @DocAlan02