1999 U.S. Women's World Cup Team

On July 10, 1999, the U.S. women's soccer team secured a win for the ages at the Rose Bowl. On a sweltering day before
a sellout crowd of 90,185 — the
largest ever to watch a
women's-only event — the U.S.
posted a 5-4 shootout victory
over China, with penalty kicks
deciding what 120 minutes of
scoreless soccer could not.

Among the heroes of that day
for the U.S. team were Michelle
Akers, Kristine Lilly, Carla
Overbeck, Joy Fawcett, Brandi
Chastain, Mia Hamm, Julie
Foudy and Briana Scurry.
When goalkeeper Scurry blocked
a shot by China's Liu Ying, the
door was open for the U.S. to win it. Moments later, Chastain seized that opportunity, booming her winning penalty kick into the upper right-hand corner of the net.
Said coach Tony DiCicco at the time: "It's a storybook ending for a team that has its place in history."

After making the shot, Chastain tore the jersey off her back, dropped to her knees in elation, and exulted in the moment. Her shirtless pose was
transmitted all over the world and became
an enduring symbol of female
strength, skill and triumph.

Hosting the finals of the Women's World Cup put the Rose Bowl in a class by itself as the only venue to play host to an
Olympic gold medal match, as well as the finals of both the men's and women's World Cups.





The landmark win, commemorated on its 20th anniversary by this statue,
helped change the paradigm for female sports and is among the great athletic moments in our nation's history.

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