Brandi

Chastain

Quick Facts

• Began playing soccer at the age of 8

• Played for the Davis Junior High School boys' soccer team, because they had no girls' team

• Sustained two ACL tears, a meniscus tear and two concussions throughout her playing career, and came back to playing successfully after each one
• She was primarily a defender while representing Team USA but also occasionally played as a midfielder and forward, having been a natural goalscorer during her collegiate career

Biographical Information

Brandi Chastain is one of the most iconic players in U.S. Soccer history, making her first big splash by winning the inaugural 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup in China.

After not being called up to the U.S. women's national team for the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup, Chastain proceeded to use that determination to get back on the squad and win three Olympic medals (2 gold, 1 silver) and another FIFA Women's World Cup title in 1999, and bronze in 2003.

During that tenure, Chastain became one of the first women to win an Olympic gold medal in soccer, with Atlanta 1996 becoming the first Olympic Games to host the women's soccer tournament.

Chastain is most known for her iconic celebration after scoring the game-winning penalty against China in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup final. After scoring in the shootout, she celebrated by removing her jersey and revealing her sports bra. This would become one of the most iconic moments in women's sports history.

Olympic Experience

• 3-time Olympian; 3-time Olympic medalist (2 gold, 1 silver)
  • Olympic Games Athens 2004, gold (Team - Women)
  • Olympic Games Sydney 2000, silver (Team - Women)
  • Olympic Games Atlanta 1996, gold (Team - Women)

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2003 – bronze (Team - Women)
• Years of participation: Team - Women 1991, 1999, 2003
• Medals: 3 (2 gold, 1 bronze)
  • Gold – 1999 (Team - Women); 1991 (Team - Women)
  • Bronze – 2003 (Team - Women)