Brandi's Bra: How the '99 Cup Changed Women's Sports

On July 18, 1999, the United States Women's National Soccer Team (USWNT) made history by winning the FIFA Women's World Cup for the second time. The final match, held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, saw the US face off against China in a thrilling encounter that would captivate the nation and solidify the team's status as icons of the sport.

The match itself was a tightly contested affair, with both teams displaying their skills and determination throughout the 90 minutes of regulation time. The US had several chances to break the deadlock, with star forward Mia Hamm coming close on multiple occasions. However, the Chinese defense held strong, and the game remained scoreless as it headed into extra time.

In the additional 30 minutes, the tension continued to mount as both teams searched for the golden goal that would secure the championship. The US nearly found it through a header from Kristine Lilly, but the ball hit the crossbar, keeping the game tied.

With no goals scored in extra time, the match moved on to a penalty shootout. It was here that the US team's resilience and mental toughness shone through. Goalkeeper Briana Scurry made a crucial save on China's third attempt, diving to her left to deny Liu Ying. This set the stage for Brandi Chastain, who stepped up to take the fifth and potentially decisive kick for the US.

Chastain's shot found the back of the net, giving the US a 5-4 victory in the shootout and securing their second World Cup title. In a moment of pure joy and celebration, Chastain famously ripped off her jersey, revealing her sports bra, and fell to her knees in ecstasy. This iconic image would become one of the most memorable moments in US soccer history and a symbol of the team's triumph.

The 1999 Women's World Cup final was watched by a record-breaking 90,185 fans at the Rose Bowl, setting an attendance record for a women's sporting event. The television broadcast also drew impressive numbers, with an estimated 40 million viewers in the United States alone.

The victory had far-reaching effects beyond the world of soccer. The 1999 USWNT became role models for young girls across the country, inspiring a new generation to take up the sport and pursue their dreams. The team's success also helped to elevate the status of women's soccer and women's sports in general, proving that female athletes could generate just as much excitement and enthusiasm as their male counterparts.

The legacy of the 1999 Women's World Cup championship lives on to this day. The members of that legendary team, including Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Michelle Akers, and Julie Foudy, are still celebrated as pioneers and trailblazers in the sport. Their victory on July 18, 1999, will forever be remembered as a defining moment not just in soccer history, but in the history of women's sports as a whole.