Top 5 moments in U.S. women’s soccer history
By Nicole Bosco
2. 2004 Summer Olympic Games
Brazil had been a long time powerhouse in the sport of soccer, both the men’s and women’s teams. By 2004 the United States had all but lost the luster of the 1999 World Cup team. The “Fab Five” were playing in their final game together, and with a mix of the newcomers, they found themselves working to fit together.
The Brazilian team had a player named Marta who is to this day one of the greatest to ever play the game. The U.S did a great job neutralizing her and was able to tie the game at the end of regulation time.
Going into overtime the U.S knew that they needed to score before it went to penalty kicks and Marta could get a chance at a shot. In the 112th minute, 24-year-old Abby Wambach sent a header right to the back og the net. The team went crazy with joy, and so did the crowd.
That would wind up being the last game for stars Mia Hamm and Joy Fawcett. That was the beginning of the new era, and the U.S Women’s soccer team has never looked back. That was the first of three consecutive Olympic gold medals, with the hopes of a fourth this Summer in Rio.
Next: 1999 World Cup and Brandi Chastain