Brandi Chastain

Brandi Chastain ISBN 1-58415-390-3 90000 9 Michelle Medlock Adams 781584 153900 Mitchell Lane PUBLISHERS Copyright © 2005 by Mitchell Lane Publishers. All rights reserved. Updated August 2006. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Printed and bound in the United States of America. Printing 2345678 A Robbie Reader No Hands Allowed Brandi Chastain Brian McBride DaMarcus Beasley David Beckham Freddy Adu Jay-Jay Okocha Josh Wolff Landon Donovan Ronaldo Michael Owen Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Adams, Michelle Medlock. Brandi Chastain / by Michelle Medlock Adams. p. cm. — (A Robbie reader. No hands allowed) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 1-58415-390-3 (library bound) 1. Chastain, Brandi. 2. Soccer players—United States–Biography—Juvenile literature. 3. Women soccer players—United States—Biography—Juvenile literature. I. Title. II. Series. GV942.7.C52A33 2005 796.334'092—dc22 2005004250 ISBN-10: 1-58415-390-3 ISBN-13: 9781584153900 ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Earning first place awards from Associated Press, the Hoosier State Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalists, Michelle Medlock Adams has published more than 3,000 articles in newspapers and magazines around the country, such as Writer’s Digest, Today’s Christian Woman, Brio, and American Cheerleader Magazine. She has also authored 15 books, including her award-winning picture book, Conversations On the Ark. She graduated from Indiana University with a journalism degree in 1991, and she’s been writing professionally ever since. She and her husband, Jeff, and their two daughters, Abby and Allyson, make their home in Texas with their three miniature dachshunds. If you wish to contact Michelle, her website address is www.michellemedlockadams.com. PHOTO CREDITS: Cover—Richard Schultz/WireImage; pp. 1, 3, 8, 10, 14, 26—Jed Jacobsohn/ Getty Images; p. 6—Mickael Kappeler/AFP/Getty Images; pp. 12, 22, 24—Tom Hauck/Getty Images; p. 18—John Ferrey/Getty Images; p. 16—Michael Stahlschmidt/Time Life Pictures/ Getty Images; p. 20—Robyn Beck/Getty Images. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The following story has been thoroughly researched, and to the best of our knowledge, represents a true story. While every possible effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the publisher will not assume liability for damages caused by inaccuracies in the data, and makes no warranty on the accuracy of the information contained herein. This story has not been authorized nor endorsed by Brandi Chastain nor anyone associated with Brandi Chastain. PLB2 NHA-Brandi Chastain book 2 8/17/06, 2:27 PM TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter One Women’s Soccer Goes Hollywood ....................................... 5 Chapter Two Just One of the Boys ............................................................ 9 Chapter Three More Life Lessons ..............................................................13 Chapter Four Living Her Dreams ............................................................. 17 Chapter Five Brandi’s Many Hats ............................................................21 Chronology .................................................................. 27–28 Glossary....................................................................... 28–29 Find Out More ............................................................. 30–31 Index ...................................................................................32 NHA-Brandi Chastain book 3 3/25/05, 2:22 PM CHAPTER ONE Women’s Soccer Goes Hollywood Before 1999, people did not know very much about the world’s best female soccer players. Few people knew much about women’s soccer at all. That all changed after the 1999 Women’s World Cup. The U.S. Women’s Soccer team had not won the world championship since 1991. On July 10, 1999, the U.S. beat China in a thrilling match in front of 90,000 screaming fans. President Bill Clinton personally congratulated (kun-GRAT-oo-lay-ted) the team on its victory. It had been a great year for women’s soccer. The sport had become very popular, and Brandi Chastain had become a sports hero. During that 1999 soccer season, she played in 5 NHA-Brandi Chastain book 5 3/25/05, 2:22 PM CHAPTER ONE 27 games for the national team and scored five goals with five assists. But it was her performance in the final game against China that made her famous. Brandi scored a goal on a penalty kick after the second overtime of the game. She Brandi Chastain eyes the soccer ball during the Olympic Games in 2004. She is pictured here with Brazilian forward Cristiane. 6 NHA-Brandi Chastain book 6 3/25/05, 2:22 PM WOMEN’S SOCCER GOES HOLLYWOOD celebrated big time! A photographer snapped a picture of that celebration. She was pictured on her knees, mouth wide open, eyes closed, fists in the air, wearing a black sports bra and white soccer shorts. She appeared on the cover of Time, Newsweek, People, and Sports Illustrated. Some have called that penalty kick one of the greatest moments in the history of women’s sports. Even people who weren’t soccer fans knew about Brandi—the soccer star in the sports bra. Brandi became an instant icon (EYE-kon). Suddenly, young people everywhere began writing her letters and e-mails. Some boys even asked Brandi to marry them! Brandi said in an interview, “It was definitely overwhelming, and there was no way I could have prepared for it. It’s so amazing how the media can change everybody’s perception of you so quickly.” It was a new day for women’s soccer and a new day for Brandi. She had become a soccer superstar. Her teammates had always called her Hollywood, as a funny nickname. Now, her nickname seemed to really fit. 7 NHA-Brandi Chastain book 7 3/25/05, 2:22 PM You’ve Just Finished your Free Sample Enjoyed the preview? Buy: http://www.ebooks2go.com NHA-Brandi Chastain book 8 3/25/05, 2:23 PM.

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