An Unforgettable Day

An Unforgettable Day. 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.