9781422275979

the left side, and her cross found an onrushing Hamm, whose volley was saved by the keeper and then hit the left post and bounced directly to MacMillan for an easy tap in. China got the equalizer thirteen minutes later, and the two teams started the second half tied 1–1. The Americans kept attacking, however, and were rewarded midway through the half. Fawcett made a run into the penalty area from the right side and slid a pass over to a wide-open Tiffeny Milbrett at the top of the six-yard box for the gold medal winning goal. 1999 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

Shannon MacMillan led the United States to the gold medal by scoring three goals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.

DiCicco followed-up on Olympic glory at the 1999 Women’s World Cup, which was also held in the United States. The USWNT was the favorite, and the players knew the success of the tournament on U.S. soil depended on them doing well. The Americans cruised through the group stage virtually unchallenged, giving up just a single goal in three matches, all victories. Matches were closer in the knockout stage, especially in the final match against nemesis China. The Americans won on penalty kicks, with Brandi Chastain scoring perhaps the most famous goal in women’s soccer history for the win. DiCicco left the team shortly after that World Cup win, having put together a 103–8–8 record in his time as coach. The United States Soccer Federation named April Heinrichs, former player and ex-

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