1999 Forever!
Wednesday, July 10, 2024 marked the 25th anniversary of the USWNT winning the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
In front of 90,195 fans at the Rose Bowl, we faced China, another women’s soccer powerhouse at the time. At the end of regulation, the game was 0-0, and remained a scoreless draw at the end of golden goal extra time. Which meant we were headed to penalty kicks.
China shot and scored first, then the USWNT made their first PK. Each team’s second shooter made their kick. China’s third shooter’s shot was saved by USWNT goalkeeper Briana Scurry, so when the third US kicker buried her shot, the US had a one goal advantage. Each team's 4th kicker made their kick, which meant that when the USWNT’s 5th kicker, Brandi Chastain, stepped up to the PK spot, her shot could win the World Cup Title.
If you were lucky enough to watch the game live on TV like me, you watched Brandi Chastain walk up to the PK spot and confidently score her PK. As a result the USWNT won the 1999 Women’s World Cup; their second World Cup, and first on home soil. The resulting historic celebrations will live on forever (cue Brandi Chastain sports bra celebration), and 99ers instantly changed the face of not only women’s soccer, but women’s sports.
As a youth female soccer player who basically grew up during this time, the 99ers were my idols. I had their pictures on my walls, I followed their success, I watched every game. The 99ers showed me that not only did hard work, perseverance, teamwork, and skill matter, but women’s sports mattered! They fought for equality, fought to bring women’s soccer to the forefront, and laid the groundwork for the women’s game that we see played today. It can be argued that the 99ers have impacted women’s equality worldwide as a result of their success on the field and off, and demand for gender equality and fairness.
It’s crazy to think that win was 25 years ago; how far the game and equality have come, and how far we have to go. I still get goosebumps when I think about 1999, and am still invested in the team’s successes and failures. After a disappointing showing at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, there’s much anticipation heading into the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, under the leadership of new head coach Emma Hayes and USWNT badasses Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson, to name a few!
When I reflect on my fanhood of the USWNT over the years, I’m grateful to be alive during a time in history when the women’s game has grown exponentially worldwide. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to watch the 99ers in their prime and learn from them on and off the field. And I’m grateful to now be in the position to support athletes on their performance journeys!
If you find yourself ready to get to work pursuing your performance dreams, ready to conquer weakness and improve strengths, and/or ready to support your team/players/children in the best way you can, click the link and let’s get started.
