CHASTAIN CHASING DREAM SHE LEADS U.S. INTO WORLD CUP QUALIFYING TODAY VS. MEXICO.Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer PASADENA - When Brandi Chastain Brandi Denise Chastain (born July 21, 1968) is a former soccer player, who was on the U.S. women's national soccer team from 1991 to 2004 and the San Jose CyberRays of the WUSA (2001-2003). started scoring for the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. women's national team The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. , she couldn't stop. On April 18, 1991, the then-23-year-old Chastain scored five goals coming off the bench in a 12-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Mexico. It was the first five goals of her international career, and led to a roster spot on the 1991 U.S. Women's National Team that won the first women's World Cup The Women's World Cup could refer to either the:
Chastain took a hiatus after 1991 and wasn't part of the 1995 World Cup qualifying or World Cup team that lost in Sweden. So when Chastain takes the field today at the Rose Bowl against Mexico, she will be making her first CONCACAF CONCACAF Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (Soccer) CONCACAF Confederacion Norte, Centroamericana y del Caribe de Futbol Asociacion (Spanish) World Cup qualifying start. The U.S. plays Mexico at 3 p.m. to open round-robin play. The match will be preceded by Panama vs. Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (trĭn`ĭdăd, təbā`gō), officially Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, republic (2005 est. pop. 1,088,000), 1,980 sq mi (5,129 sq km), West Indies. The capital is Port of Spain. at 1 p.m. Chastain, the hero of the 1999 Women's World Cup after scoring the game-winning penalty pick, considers her last qualifying experience memorable. ``I had a different perspective in 1991,'' Chastain said. ``I was just trying to make the roster and break into the starting lineup For the line of action figures, see . A starting lineup in sports refers to the set of players actively participating in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes . ``I watched qualifying mostly from the sideline and with great pleasure because we had great players.'' Chastain, 34, remains an integral part of coach April Heinrichs' 18-player roster. ``There are a lot of young players that would be thrilled with the opportunity to be on the national team. I have always loved the game and feel younger when I'm on the field.'' Chastain has won two World Cups and has a 1996 Olympic gold medal, but chasing another World Cup, which will be contested in China next year, is a priority. ``The passion doesn't go away just because you win championships,'' Chastain said. ``Every day is a challenge. Each year is another obstacle, whether it's winning the World Cup or the WUSA WUSA Women's United Soccer Association WUSA Windows Update Standalone Installer . ``Just because you win something doesn't mean you don't want to win it again. CONCACAF GOLD CUP What: Eight-team tournament that will qualify the two finalists to the women's 2003 World Cup in China. Who: U.S., Mexico, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago in Group 1; Canada, Haiti, Costa Rica and Jamaica in Group 2. When: U.S. vs. Mexico at 3 p.m. and Panama vs. Trinidad and Tobago at 1 p.m. today. Where: Rose Bowl. CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: It's been 11 years since Brandi Chastain's first World Cup qualifier, but that hasn't diminished her drive for another title. Rusty Kennedy/Associated Press Box: CONCACAF GOLD CUP (see text) |
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