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USA women ready to build a new legacy, but still respectful of 1999 World Cup winners
The USA will play in its first final in over a decade on Sunday, but the players have not forgotten those that came before them.
Jul 14, 2011 3:38:00 PM
By Allen Ramsey
Abby Wambach and Hope Solo, USA (Getty Images)
From now until Sunday you will see the story over and over of the 1999 World Cup winning USA women. It will be in print and on the radio. Highlights will be shown on the television and as you tune in to watch the USA take on Japan, reminders of the last American World Cup-winning team will litter the coverage. It's inevitable, and well deserved.
The story of soccer in the United States can't be told without mentioning the historic team from 12 years ago. The names Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Julie Foudy and Michelle Akers will not soon be forgotten, and the memorable moment, when the Brandi Chastain ripped off her jersey and raised her arms in triumph, will live on forever.
But the team taking the field on Sunday to face off with Japan is not that team.
This is a new group of Americans, led by a forward with the never-say-die attitude that has become synonymous with soccer in the United States and a goalkeeper with the attitude that exemplifies American sports in general. They're tough and gritty. Skillful and physically imposing.
And the new group wants to leave it's own legacy.
"I think it’s an evolution of the game," goalkeeper Hope Solo said of the current American team. "Each team - whether its 12 years later or whether it’s four years later - I think each team really wants to have their own identity."
For players like Abby Wambach, leaving a legacy for the next generation to follow is a big deal. The towering forward, who has scored some clutch goals in the tournament already, says that the '99 team inspired her and opened doors for her generation, and another World Cup win could do the same for the players who are coming up today.
"In order for me in my life to continue on doing something so amazing - this job is almost a dream - it’s our job and our duty as professional athletes to, not inspire, but give these girls a platform to inspire themselves," she said. "That’s something that the ’99 World Cup did for me. It’s something I will never forget and it’s almost a “pay it forward” kind of system at this point."
Wambach's respect for the the previous World Cup-winning team runs deep, and when asked about that group she was amendment that Hamm and company deserved all the respect in the world.
"The respect has to be given to the women that came before us," the forward said. "Some people are saying, ‘Are you getting tired of the ’99 story?’ And the truth is, if I were ever to say yes I would be indirectly slapping the women who came before me in the face, and I would never do that.
She added, "They have too much respect - not just on this team, not just within me - but they’ve given me the right to do this. I mean, this tournament is so much more important and exposed and popular than even it was, I think, in ’99. And it’s not because of the crowds, it’s not because of the (television) or the fans that have taken part, it’s because the game is better. And that’s what those women did. Those women gave me a platform to ensure that this game in not only fun to watch but it’s getting better through the years."
Respect is one thing, but the pressure of following the 1999 team and the standards it set can be daunting. But Solo says it's something the team has accepted.
"It is hard to be always compared to the ’99 team when we are so incredibly different and the game has come so far," she said. "But with that said, we know what they have done for the game and we know that they really kind of paved the path for us. So, you know, it’s just something that we’ve really accepted."
On Sunday, Solo, Wambach and the rest of the current USA squad will get their chance to join the 1999 team as World Cup winners and to make their own mark on history.
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The story of soccer in the United States can't be told without mentioning the historic team from 12 years ago. The names Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Julie Foudy and Michelle Akers will not soon be forgotten, and the memorable moment, when the Brandi Chastain ripped off her jersey and raised her arms in triumph, will live on forever.
But the team taking the field on Sunday to face off with Japan is not that team.
This is a new group of Americans, led by a forward with the never-say-die attitude that has become synonymous with soccer in the United States and a goalkeeper with the attitude that exemplifies American sports in general. They're tough and gritty. Skillful and physically imposing.
And the new group wants to leave it's own legacy.
"I think it’s an evolution of the game," goalkeeper Hope Solo said of the current American team. "Each team - whether its 12 years later or whether it’s four years later - I think each team really wants to have their own identity."
For players like Abby Wambach, leaving a legacy for the next generation to follow is a big deal. The towering forward, who has scored some clutch goals in the tournament already, says that the '99 team inspired her and opened doors for her generation, and another World Cup win could do the same for the players who are coming up today.
"In order for me in my life to continue on doing something so amazing - this job is almost a dream - it’s our job and our duty as professional athletes to, not inspire, but give these girls a platform to inspire themselves," she said. "That’s something that the ’99 World Cup did for me. It’s something I will never forget and it’s almost a “pay it forward” kind of system at this point."
Wambach's respect for the the previous World Cup-winning team runs deep, and when asked about that group she was amendment that Hamm and company deserved all the respect in the world.
"The respect has to be given to the women that came before us," the forward said. "Some people are saying, ‘Are you getting tired of the ’99 story?’ And the truth is, if I were ever to say yes I would be indirectly slapping the women who came before me in the face, and I would never do that.
She added, "They have too much respect - not just on this team, not just within me - but they’ve given me the right to do this. I mean, this tournament is so much more important and exposed and popular than even it was, I think, in ’99. And it’s not because of the crowds, it’s not because of the (television) or the fans that have taken part, it’s because the game is better. And that’s what those women did. Those women gave me a platform to ensure that this game in not only fun to watch but it’s getting better through the years."
Respect is one thing, but the pressure of following the 1999 team and the standards it set can be daunting. But Solo says it's something the team has accepted.
"It is hard to be always compared to the ’99 team when we are so incredibly different and the game has come so far," she said. "But with that said, we know what they have done for the game and we know that they really kind of paved the path for us. So, you know, it’s just something that we’ve really accepted."
On Sunday, Solo, Wambach and the rest of the current USA squad will get their chance to join the 1999 team as World Cup winners and to make their own mark on history.
Follow Goal.com on
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
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