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Brandi Chastain is probably most recognized for her decisive penalty kick during the shoot-out of the 1999 Women's World Cup final against China, but her commitment to soccer began long before.
Chastain first appeared with the U.S. National Team in 1986 and helped capture the inaugural Women's World Cup in 1991. After a five-year hiatus from the National Team, Chastain returned to help win the first-ever Olympic Women's Soccer Gold medal. Chastain was a two-time All-American at Santa Clara University and, in 1989, took the team to a final ranking of No. 3 in the nation. While at San Jose's Archbishop Mitty High School, she led the soccer team to three consecutive state championships.
In 1991, Chastain scored five consecutive goals in one match for the United States against Mexico—still a team record. She played three professional seasons in Japan after graduating from Santa Clara University in 1991. Chastain is currently Captain of the San Jose CyberRays, the newly formed women's profesional soccer team, winner of the first inaugural championship.
Chastain lives with her husband, Jerry Smith, head women's soccer coach at Santa Clara University.
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