North Arroyo in Pasadena in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

An Unforgettable Day

1999 U.S. Women’s World Cup Team

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 10, 2019

1. An Unforgettable Day Marker

Inscription. 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

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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.

Erected 2019 by Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Sports • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is July 10, 1999.

Location. 34° 9.546′ N, 118° 9.999′ W. Marker is in Pasadena, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in North Arroyo. It is on North Arroyo Boulevard 0.2 miles north of Seco Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena CA 91103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western

Marker, Statue, and Rose Bowl image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 10, 2019

2. Marker, Statue, and Rose Bowl

The marker is in the middle. Other panels describe how promoters increased the sport’s popularity, and list donor’s names.

Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1942 Rose Bowl (within shouting distance of this marker); Angelo Mazzone Ticket Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Gamble House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Fenyes Estate (approx. ¾ mile away); Business Park of Pasadena (approx. 0.8 miles away); Pasadena Pioneers Bridge (approx. one mile away); Jackie and Mack Robinson (approx. one mile away); Colorado Street Bridge (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pasadena.

Statue of Brandi Chastain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, July 10, 2019

3. Statue of Brandi Chastain

Credits. This page was last revised on May 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,751 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 10, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.