III.

Women’s World Cup

Soccer became increasingly popular among female athletes in the late 20th century. Accordingly, a World Cup for women was established, with the first tournament taking place in 1991 in China. The United States, led by its star player Michelle Akers, defeated Norway in the finals, 2-1. The second women’s World Cup was held in 1995 in Sweden, and Norway won, defeating Germany in the finals, 2-0.

The United States hosted the 1999 World Cup, and the home team, featuring stars such as Akers, Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm, and Briana Scurry, was favored to win. The event attracted much more attention than had the two previous women’s World Cups, and several games were moved to larger stadiums because so many people wanted to attend. The United States and China met in the finals, and the two teams played to a 0-0 tie after 90 minutes of regulation play and two 15-minute overtime periods. The United States then won 5-4 on penalty kicks.

The 2003 Women’s World Cup was supposed to be held in China, but after an outbreak there of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) the tournament was relocated to the United States. Because of this move—and because Hamm, Foudy, Chastain, and other regulars returned for the tournament—the U.S. team was favored to capture a second straight title. But Chastain was hurt early in the tournament and the United States lost to Germany in the semifinals. The Germans went on to capture the championship with an overtime win over Sweden in the final.

The Women’s World Cup returned to China in 2007. Germany became the first team to repeat when they defeated Brazil, 2-0, in the final match in Shanghai. Brazil was an unexpected finalist. The Brazilians got there after defeating the favored U.S. team by an overwhelming score of 4-0 in the semifinals. In the final Germany continued to display the sterling defense it had shown throughout the tournament.