United States women's national soccer team
Shirt badge/Association crest | |||
Nickname(s) | Team USA The Stars and Stripes The Yanks | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | United States Soccer Federation | ||
Confederation | CONCACAF (North America) | ||
Head coach | Pia Sundhage | ||
Captain | Christie Rampone | ||
Most caps | Kristine Lilly (352) | ||
Top scorer | Mia Hamm (158) | ||
FIFA code | USA | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 1 | ||
Highest | 1 (July 2003) | ||
Lowest | 2 (October 2003) | ||
First international | |||
Italy 1–0 United States (Jesolo, Italy; August 18, 1985) | |||
Biggest win | |||
United States 14–0 Dominican Rep. (Vancouver, Canada; January 20, 2012) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
Brazil 4–0 United States (Hangzhou, China; September 27, 2007) | |||
World Cup | |||
Appearances | 6 (first in 1991) | ||
Best result | Winners, 1991, 1999 | ||
CONCACAF Championship & Gold Cup | |||
Appearances | 7 (first in 1991) | ||
Best result | Winners; 1991, 1993, 1994 2000, 2002, 2006 | ||
Medal record |
The United States women's national soccer team (sometimes referred to as USWNT) represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world by the FIFA Women's World Rankings.[1] The team has also won the 1999 Women's World Cup, three Olympic Women's Gold Medals (1996, 2004 and 2008) and eight Algarve Cups (2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011).
Among its many other honors, the team was selected the U.S. Olympic Committee's Team of the Year in 1997 and 1999. Sports Illustrated chose the entire team as its 1999 Sportspeople of the Year.
History
The team played its first match at the Mundialito tournament on August 18, 1985, coached by Mike Ryan (not related to 2005–2007 coach Greg Ryan). In March 2004, two of its stars, Mia Hamm (who retired later that year after a post-Olympic team tour of the USA) and Michelle Akers (who had already retired), were the only two women and the only two Americans named to the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living soccer players chosen by Pelé as part of FIFA's centenary observances.
Arguably their most influential and memorable victory came in the 1999 World Cup when they beat China 5–4 in a penalty shootout. With this win they emerged onto the world stage and brought significant media attention to women's soccer and athletics. On July 10, 1999, over 90,000 people (the largest ever for a women’s sporting event and one of the largest attendances in the world for a tournament game final) filled the Rose Bowl to watch the United States play China in the Final. After a back and forth game, the score was tied 0–0 at full time, and remained so after extra time, leading to a penalty kick shootout. With Briana Scurry's save of China's third kick, the score was 4–4 with only Brandi Chastain left to shoot. She scored and won the game for the United States. Chastain famously dropped to her knees and whipped off her shirt, celebrating in her sports bra, which later made the cover of Sports Illustrated and the front pages of newspapers around the country and world.
Perhaps the second most influential victory came on July 10, 2011, in the quarterfinal of the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany, where the US beat Brazil 5–3 on penalty kicks. Abby Wambach tied the game 2–2 in the 2nd minute of extra time in the 2nd period of overtime (the 122nd minute of the match overall) with a left-footed cross by Megan Rapinoe. Earlier in the game, Brazil had evened the score 1–1 on a controversial penalty kick. Interestingly, the game was played on the 12th anniversary of the memorable 1999 World Cup Final (described above), which the US also won on penalty kicks.
Kit
Traditionally since the team started, the kit has been an all white kit. Occasionally blue shorts have been used. As of May 2011, the away kit is all black. Like the men's team, Nike is the team's kit manufacturer. The team also wears two stars above the US Soccer badge, to signify their two World Cup championships.
As of 2012, the team's home kit is a white jersey with red hoops paired with blue shorts and white socks. The kit is identical to that worn by the men's team, which is the first time both teams have worn the same kit.
Schedule and Results
The following is a list of matches from the past six months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
- Key
Win Draw Loss
- Key
- IF = International Friendly
- OQT = 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
- GP = Group Play
- SF = Semifinals
- F = Final
- AC = 2012 Algarve Cup
- GP = Group Play
- 3PG = Third Place Match
- KC = 2012 Women's Kirin Challenge Cup
- SI = 2012 Sweden Invitational (Women's Football)
- OLY = 2012 Olympics
- GP = Group Play
Current squad
USWNT Training Camp in Princeton Roster
The following 18 players were called up for the roster for the 2012 Olympics, starting on July 25, 2012.
Caps and goals are current as of May 27, 2012.
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Nicole Barnhart | 10 October 1981 | 43 | 0 | Unattached | |||
GK | Hope Solo | 30 July 1981 | 115 | 0 | Seattle Sounders | |||
DF | Rachel Buehler | 26 August 1985 | 79 | 3 | Unattached | |||
DF | Amy LePeilbet | 12 March 1982 | 67 | 0 | Unattached | |||
DF | Heather Mitts | 9 June 1978 | 123 | 2 | Unattached | |||
DF | Kelley O'Hara | 4 August 1988 | 17 | 0 | Unattached | |||
DF | Christie Rampone (c) | 24 June 1975 | 257 | 4 | Unattached | |||
DF | Becky Sauerbrunn | 6 June 1985 | 21 | 0 | D.C. United Women | |||
MF | Shannon Boxx | 29 June 1977 | 165 | 23 | Unattached | |||
MF | Lauren Cheney | 30 September 1987 | 64 | 18 | Unattached | |||
MF | Tobin Heath | 29 May 1988 | 42 | 5 | New York Fury | |||
MF | Carli Lloyd | 16 July 1982 | 132 | 36 | Unattached | |||
MF | Heather O'Reilly | 2 January 1985 | 163 | 34 | Unattached | |||
MF | Megan Rapinoe | 5 July 1985 | 49 | 12 | Seattle Sounders | |||
FW | Sydney Leroux | 7 May 1990 | 11 | 7 | Seattle Sounders | |||
FW | Alex Morgan | 2 July 1989 | 39 | 24 | Seattle Sounders | |||
FW | Amy Rodriguez | 17 February 1987 | 86 | 24 | Unattached | |||
FW | Abby Wambach | 2 June 1980 | 179 | 135 | Unattached |
Recent call-ups
The following players were named to a squad in the last six months, but were not called up for the Olympic Team.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Ashlyn Harris | 19 October 1985 | 0 | 0 | Unattached | v. Brazil; April 3, 2012 | ||
GK | Jillian Loyden | 25 June 1985 | 2 | 0 | Unattached | v. Japan; April 1, 2012 | ||
DF | Meghan Klingenberg | 2 August 1988 | 2 | 0 | Unattached | v. China; May 27, 2012 | ||
DF | Stephanie Cox | 3 April 1986 | 82 | 0 | Seattle Sounders | v. Brazil; April 3, 2012 | ||
DF | Whitney Engen | 28 November 1987 | 0 | 0 | Pali Blues | v. Japan; April 1, 2012 | ||
DF | Ali Krieger | 28 July 1984 | 27 | 0 | 1. FFC Frankfurt | v. Dominican Republic; January 20, 2012 | ||
MF | Lori Lindsey | 19 March 1980 | 30 | 1 | Western New York Flash | v. Brazil; April 3, 2012 | ||
Records
The women's national team boasts the first six players in the history of the game to have earned 200 or more caps. (These players have since been joined in the 200-cap club by Pu Wei and Li Jie of China and Birgit Prinz of Germany, as well as by a seventh American, Kate Markgraf.) Kristine Lilly is the first (and so far, only) player to earn more than 300 caps.
Most capped players
|
Top scorers
|
Most goals scored in a match
The record for most goals scored in a match by a member of the USWNT is five, which has been accomplished by six players.
Player | Date | Opponent | Location | Competition | Line-up | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brandi Chastain | April 18, 1991 | Mexico | Port-au-Prince, Haiti | FIFA Women's World Cup Final Qualifying Tournament | Substitute | First 5 career international goals. Consecutive goals in the match. Final score:12-0 |
Michelle Akers | November 24,1991 | Chinese Taipei | Foshan, China | 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup | Starting | Included first 3 goals of the match (9', 29', 33'). The only American to score 5 goals in a World Cup or Olympics match. Final score: 7-0 |
Tiffeny Milbrett | November 2, 2002 | Panama | Seattle, Washington, USA | 2002 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup | Starting | Included a hat trick in the first nine minutes. Final score: 9-0 |
Abby Wambach | October 23, 2004 | Ireland | Houston, Texas, USA | International Friendly. Fan Celebration Tour |
Starting | Played indoor in Reliant Stadium. Four goals were assists for Mia Hamm. Final score: 5-0 |
Amy Rodriguez | January 20, 2012 | Dominican Republic | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament | Substitute (+46') | Biggest win by U.S. women's national team. Final score: 14-0 |
Sydney Leroux | January 22, 2012 | Guatemala | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament | Substitute (+46') | First 5 career international goals in her second cap for U.S. womens senior team. Final score: 13-0 |
Head coaches
Name | Years | Matches | Won | Tied | Lost | Win % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mike Ryan | 1985 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .125 |
Anson Dorrance | 1986–1994 | 93 | 66 | 5 | 22 | .737 |
Tony DiCicco | 1994–1999 | 119 | 103 | 8 | 8 | .899 |
Lauren Gregg | 1997, 2000 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .833 |
April Heinrichs | 2000–2004 | 124 | 87 | 20 | 17 | .782 |
Greg Ryan | 2005–2007 | 55 | 45 | 9 | 1 | .900 |
Pia Sundhage | 2007–present | 95 | 78 | 11 | 6 | .879 |
Totals | 493 | 381 | 55 | 57 | .829 |
- Statistics as of May 27, 2012
World Cup record
- Host year in red
Year | Result | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1991 | Champions | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 5 |
1995 | Third place | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 5 |
1999 | Champions | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 3 |
2003 | Third place | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 5 |
2007 | Third place | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 7 |
2011 | Runners-Up | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 7 |
2015 | To Be Determined | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Total | 6/6 | 36 | 27 | 5 | 4 | 98 | 32 |
Olympics record
Year | Result | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1996 | Gold Medal | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 3 |
2000 | Silver Medal | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 |
2004 | Gold Medal | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 4 |
2008 | Gold Medal | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 5 |
2012 | To Be Determined | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Total | 5/5 | 24 | 18 | 3 | 2 | 42 | 17 |
CONCACAF Gold Cup record
Year | Result | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF | GA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1991 | Champions | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 0 |
1993 | Champions | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
1994 | Champions | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 |
1998 | Did not participate1 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
2000 | Champions | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
2002 | Champions | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
2006 | Champions | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
2010 | Third Place | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 2 |
Total | 7/8 | 29 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 152 | 6 |
1 The US team directly qualified for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup as hosts of the event. Because of this, they did not participate in the 1998 CONCACAF Championship, which was the qualification tournament for the World Cup.
Other honors
International
- Champions (8): 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011
- Runners-Up (4): 1994, 1999, 2006, 2009
- Third Place (3): 1997, 1998, 2012
- Champions (7): 1998, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011
- Third Place (1): 2002
- Runners-Up (1): 2012
- Champions (2): 2006, 2008
Regional
- Champions (5): 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999
Media coverage
ESPN and ESPN2 bring most coverage, with occasional coverage from Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Espanol, and Galavisión.
See also
- List of women's national football teams
- United States at the team sports international competitions
- Women's association football around the world
- Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team – 2005 HBO documentary
- United States U-17 women's national soccer team
- United States U-20 women's national soccer team
- United States U-23 women's national soccer team
- Women's Premier Soccer League
- W-League
- WUSA
- Women's Professional Soccer