LEGENDARY MOMENTS

A LOOK BACK AT THE 8 GREATEST WORLD CUP MOMENTS IN USWNT HISTORY.

AKERS STARS FOR U.S. IN FIRST WOMEN’S WORLD CUP IN 1991: Michelle Akers won the first-ever golden boot after scoring 10 goals in 1991. Akers capped off the tournament scoring both goals in the final to lead the U.S. to a 2-1 win over Norway to capture the first ever Women’s World Cup.

MIA HAMM GOES IN GOAL IN 1995: One of the all-time great goal scorers for the U.S., Hamm had a brief stint in goal late in a game against Denmark after Brianna Scurry was sent off. She became the first non-goalkeeper to play goal in a World Cup and even made a couple saves.

BRANDI CHASTAIN’S WINNING PENALTY KICK IN 1999: Chastain’s goal and her unforgettable celebration that followed gave the U.S. their second World Cup win in a 5-4 shootout victory over China in front of 90,185 at the Rose Bowl.

BRIANA SCURRY’S SAVE IN THE PENALTY SHOOTOUT IN 1999: Everyone remembers the kick that won it but Scurry’s save on Liu Ying set up the dramatic winner that clinched the World Cup victory.

KRISTINE LILLY SAVES A GOAL WITH A HEADER IN 1999: Lilly’s headed goal line clearance was a pivotal moment in keeping the game scoreless and getting the U.S. to the penalty shootout.

ABBY WAMBACH’S LATE EQUALIZER AGAINST BRAZIL IN 2011: Wambach scored an unlikely equalizer in the 121st minute to tie the game against Brazil, which went up in the beginning of extra time on Marta’s second goal of the game. The U.S. went on to win in penalties and advance to the semifinals. They made it to the final but were on the wrong side of the shootout against Japan after conceding a 117th minute equalizer.

CARLI LLOYD’S 16-MINUTE HAT TRICK IN 2015: The Delran, N.J. native made sure there was little doubt in the outcome of the 2015 final at BC Place in Vancouver against Japan. She scored in the 3rd, 5th and 16th minutes to put the U.S. in front 3-0 in a game they won 5-2.

ALYSSA NAEHER SAVES PENALTY KICK IN SEMI-FINAL TO PRESERVE A WIN IN 2019: England had a chance to tie the game up in the 83rd minute when Naeher dove to her right to make the stop and preserve the lead that would eventually send the U.S. into the final, where they beat the Netherlands 2-0.