Top Five U.S. Women's National Team Moments
The US Women's National Team has been at the forefront of women's sports in the world over the years. They've had some historic moments since women's team sports were added to the Olympic Games and FIFA created a Women's World Cup.
Here are some of those moments:
5. 2004 Olympic Gold - Passing of the Torch
The US women's team, who fell short of gold in the 2000 Olympics and the 2003 World Cup, had something to prove in Athens, Greece in the 2004 Olympic Games. As if there weren't enough motivation to live up to expectations, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett and Mia Hamm announced they would hang up their cleats following the games. The team defeated the Brazilian women's team in the gold medal game 2-1 in the 112th minute on a header from then-24-year-old forward Abby Wambach. She had this to say following the victory: "It's a fabulous way to win an Olympic gold medal. And it's an even better way to send off these women, because they're what this is about. This is not about me, or the younger players. It's about them."
4. 1991 World Champions
The USWNT started strong in the inaugural 1st FIFA World Championship (not yet given the official title of World Cup by FIFA) and went on to win the championship behind the stellar play of Michelle Akers who scored both of the goals in the 2-1 win over Norway in the final. Team captain April Heinrichs was awarded player of the tournament while Akers won the Golden Shoe with an impressive 10 goals.
3. Women's Soccer Olympic Debut 1996
Women's soccer (and softball) were new to the Olympic Games in '96 and some were doubting if they'd be very popular draws for fans. The doubters were quickly silenced when tens of thousands showed up to see the Women's National Team play including a massive 76,489 for 2-1 victory in the final against China. This "trial run" set the stage for future women's competitive sports.
2. USWNT Revival 2011
After barely qualifying for the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany, the USWNT had seen better days. People remembered the dominant teams of the past with names like Hamm, Chastain, Akers and Heinrichs. The team made it to the quarterfinals where they, once again, were set to take on Brazil. The team was trailing 2-1 in the final moments of the game when Abby Wambach scored on a long cross from Megan Rapinoe. The team went on to win in a shootout with the Brazilian women's team and advance to the final. US Women's soccer was back and the fire was lit once again.
1. Brandy Chastain's Shootout Celebration 1999
USWNT Head Coach Tony DiCicco announced his roster including 6 players from the first World Cup Team. Needless to say, anticipation was high for the tournament. Fans showed up in masses to watch their national team go for another championship. The team made it to the quarterfinals and the bracket looked to be a difficult ride. First up in the quarterfinals they were set to play a tough Germany team but held on to win 3-2. Next up was, a familiar opponent, Brazil who they beat 2-0 to make it to the final against a powerhouse China club. The game went scoreless for the full 90 minutes and extra time. Normally scoreless games are not very exciting but this was anything but boring. The game went to a decisive best-of-five shootout. With a clutch save by U.S. keeper Brianna Scurry it came down to the final shot by defender Brandi Chastain. She buried the ball in the back of the net, ripped off her jersey, spun around and dropped to her knees, screaming in celebration of the victory and World Cup Championship. The images of Chastain's celebration, although controversial at the time, quickly became one of the most iconic images in American sports history and dawned the cover of Sports Illustrated.