Janice R. Andrews
There are times in the annals of sports history that go beyond the actual game and have a lasting impact on society and culture. One such occasion occurred 25 years ago when the US women’s national soccer team won the 1999 Women’s World Cup, sealing a historic win. Twenty-nine years later, the legendary ’99ers will get back together for a historic tribute to their history.
Go back to July 10, 1999—a day that will always be emblazoned in the minds of soccer fans everywhere. The USWNT and China faced off in a match that will go down in history in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, in an exciting final match. Famous players like Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, Briana Scurry, and Mia Hamm led the American team, which proved resilient and skilled in an exhausting match that went into extra and ended in a thrilling penalty shootout.
Women’s soccer gained international attention after Chastain’s historic moment of glory, which was captured in an indelible image of her joyfully ripping off her jersey and her game-winning penalty kick. The impact of the historic victory is being felt today, highlighting how female athletics can change lives.
The ’99ers, as they were lovingly dubbed, wrote history and opened a new chapter in their extraordinary adventure. Building on their victory in 1999, the squad kept winning, winning World Cups in 2015 and 2019, and establishing themselves as sports industry pioneers.
Now, as their greatest accomplishment approaches its 25th anniversary, the ’99ers are set to get back together for a historic event. In an exclusive TODAY broadcast on March 22, Brandi Chastain and Briana Scurry discussed their preparations for the team’s reunion.
It promises to be an amazing afternoon. We’re really delighted,” Chastain said, expressing the excitement that everyone is feeling about the impending occasion. Recognizing Scurry’s crucial save in the 1999 championship game, Chastain underlined the team’s everlasting togetherness and the significant influence of their combined effort.
The “Impact 99” legacy match, which honors the ’99 USWNT’s ongoing significance, serves as the centerpiece of this reunion. The event is set to take place at Harrison, New Jersey’s Red Bull Arena on Saturday, July 13. This sacred field will see the meeting of the past and present in a match that is full of meaning and symbolism when the current USWNT plays Mexico.
The “Impact 99” legacy match, which was announced by U.S. Soccer in a news release, provides a forum for celebrating the legacy of the ’99ers and setting the direction for women’s soccer in the future. As a part of the 1999 World Cup-winning squad herself, U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone emphasized her excitement for the reunion, highlighting the significant influence the ’99ers had on the sport.
Aspiring soccer fans who want to be a part of this momentous occasion may get tickets for the USWNT vs. Mexico match starting on Monday, March 25. Fans may get free membership to U.S. Soccer Insiders, which gives them unique access to ticket presales. The presale window will end at 8 a.m. ET on Friday, March 29, providing fans with a last-minute chance to reserve their tickets for a historic celebration of soccer history.
Anticipation is growing for the “Impact 99” legacy match, and the spirit of unity that characterized the USWNT in 1999 is rekindled. A squad that changed women’s soccer forever is celebrated by both fans and players as they remember their victories and pay tribute to their lasting impact.
