Let me start by saying we are re-posting this from the awesome blog Sporting Chic, created by Stephanie McCaffrey (Chicago Red Stars), Sam Mewis (North Carolina Courage) and Kristie Mewis (Washington Spirit). Their often irreverent humor, hipster style and intelligence can be found in everything from their feature stories to their sense of fashion, fun and the absurd.

I watched the game live on Saturday between Chicago and Portland (thank you, Lifetime) and witnessed the moment that inspired Stephanie McCaffrey to write this piece after many viewers to reached out to her, either in support or distaste. I won’t give away the moment in case you didn’t see it but I will say there is a serious double standard going on with regards to our expectations of female athletes. It’s got to stop, people. I want Steph McCaffrey and to be who she is when she’s playing, not some cleaned up version of herself because she’s a woman. Enough is enough.

While her “outburst” could have indeed hurt her team (thankfully it did not) it also gave us a rare look at a female player who wears their passion and heart on their sleeve. Honestly, it made me a fan of hers, and I think you’ll feel the same way.