Twenty-five years ago today, the 1999 Women’s World Cup soccer tournament kicked off in the United States. It was indeed the second time the U.S. hosted a World Cup — the other being a men’s tournament in 1994 — but this was different.
The popularity of women’s soccer was beginning to grow — and the U.S. team was favored to win the tournament. And the ’99ers delivered, beating China in dramatic fashion on July 10.
For sports fans watching the tournament — like me, at the time, a first-time father of a daughter — the tournament and the performance of the U.S. team was super-exciting and enjoyable.
Brandy Chastain, above, became the real hero of the tournament for the Americans. She was the final scorer in a penalty kick shootout in front of more than 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. — and a television audience of about 40 million viewers at its peak.
Chastain became instantly famous for her game-winning goal and celebration — tearing off her shirt falling to her knees and becoming an inspiration for female (and male) athletes and fans everywhere. For fans, the goal and the entire tournament was magical — almost a Miracle on Ice moment for soccer.
But the true star of the U.S. team was captain Mia Hamm. A true icon in women’s soccer, Hamm is quiet, intense and immensely skilled.
Goaltender Briana Scurry was another American star of the tournament. She played every minute of the tournament, allowing just three goals and recording four shutouts. Her penalty-kick save against China set the stage for Chastain’s heroics.
I’ve had great success in getting autographs from almost every member of the 1999 U.S. team and I’ve especially enjoyed getting signatures on the special-series cards below. Defender Carla Overbeck and midfielder Cindy Parlow were key players and leaders on the U.S. team.
Signature Stories 