What a Kick: How a Clutch World Cup Win Propelled Women's Soccer

What a Kick: How a Clutch World Cup Win Propelled Women's Soccer — page 1
Chapter One FIVE KICKS FIVE CHANCES The field was blistering hot that day at the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena California Some members of the U S Women’s National Soccer Team lay on the turf towels draped over their necks as trainers massaged their aching legs Others stood in huddles pouring water over their heads and bouncing back and forth to keep their legs loose They were all exhausted It was July 10 1999 and the thermometer measured 105 degrees Fahrenheit 41 degrees Celsius It was the final game of the 1999 Women’s World Cup the ultimate in women’s soccer Sixteen teams had participated in the final tournament over the last 21 days Now in the scorching summer heat of the final match the last two teams had run the field for 90 minutes and two 15-minute overtimes The score was 0-0 And the U S athletes on the field were like hounds at a hunt They were going to capture the World Cup no matter what They were facing China a powerful opponent which had beaten them three months earlier in an exhibition game But the Chinese players were tired too Sun Wen the Chinese forward had feet full of blisters We were all exhausted U S forward Tiffeny Milbrett later recalled I don’t think as much physically as mentally I was surprised by how tired I thought China was too Technique was breaking down You just have to fight through it You just have to battle