The 1999 Women’s World Cup changed the landscape of women’s soccer, soccer, and sports forever! A team that has transcended generations, while inspiring many to dream big! If you bring up the name of Brandi Chastain to anyone, a smile will likely come across their face, as they get brought back to the moment of her iconic PK celebration. You’ll still hear stories of people recalling exactly where they were, and the emotions that followed from that iconic victory.
25 years later, the team got to be commemorated with a couple of special moments, from a clothing line, to a pre-game walk before the USWNT Olympic send-off match in New York. For many of the current USWNT players, and even the current head coach, Emma Hayes, this IS and WAS THE TEAM. They wouldn’t be playing soccer today if it wasn’t for them.
The 99ers got to continue their anniversary tour by making a stop at the 44th National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, just a few weeks ago. Eight members from the team were in attendance (Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Michelle Akers, Joy Fawcett, Kristine Lilly, Carla Overbeck, Briana Scurry, and Tisha Venturini), offering photo ops and autograph opportunities.
The 99ers coming together doesn't happen often, and for some, a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the heroes of their childhood. For Alyssa Van Doornum of Banger Collectibles, her reaction was, “beyond STOKED. Them being at the National and signing was the one thing I looked forward to most when we got there. They are absolute legends to me.”
With the help of Annemarie Farrell, Ebay, and Steiner Sports, more life changing moments were able to happen at the hands of the legendary 99ers. Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm, and Michelle Akers all shared more about their journeys while opening cards alongside Farrell and Brandon Steiner. The cards that were a part of the break was Parkside’s Silver Jubilee: A celebration of the 1999 Women’s Champions, featuring 20 members of the 1999 Women’s World Cup team.
Akers while holding these cards in her hands captured why sports cards continue to carry a larger meaning for the collector: “I love these cards because it brings back the memories, but it also brings back up the life of the people who changed the game. Having a Mia Hamm or Brandi Chastain card, you remember in such a powerful way. Looking at these, it impacts you.”
The impact of these sports cards were able to grow exponentially more as the three featured guests (Akers, Chastain, Hamm) called collectors/fans on stage to receive signed copies. Van Doornum was one of the lucky attendees that got called on stage, creating an emotional moment, “I honestly was trying to keep it together, but definitely did not succeed. Michelle (Akers) is an icon, her toughness was something I tried to emulate on the field growing up, and knowing I got to not only meet her but hug her and tell her how much it meant to meet her, was truly more than I could have asked for. Then I hugged Mia (Hamm) and all composure was lost.”
This was also a full circle moment for Farrell of Women On Topps, “It was really quite the thrill for me. I’ve spoken in numerous places about how the Akers and Hamm SI for Kids were a huge breakthrough moment in my collection journey. I was a kid and it was the first tangible women’s sports card I had ever seen. To now open cards with them just brings me full circle.”
As mentioned, the 99ers transcend generations, and as the years pass, they continue to hold a special place for many people, no matter the age. Van Doornum vocalizes this sentiment, “I had expected some millennials like myself who were young at the time to attend their event but to see the young kids there, boys and girls, and for them to actually know these legends was so heartwarming. Their impact transcends a generation. They paved the way for the women’s sports boom, not just soccer. They proved that women’s sports COULD sell out stadiums. I’m grateful for their perseverance and their impact was palpable even 25 years later.”
Bringing in the 99ers to the National, was a big moment, and the NSCC team couldn't have made a bigger statement than arguably one of the most iconic teams in women’s sports. Farrell shares, “Anytime that we can expand the visibility of female athletes at the convention is definitely a step in the right direction. They definitely brought a lot of buzz and excitement. The 1999 World Cup victory and that team are still the biggest moment in women’s soccer and perhaps women’s sports history in the United States. That singular moment caused a ripple effect which is still impactful today.”
Last year, I wrote an article titled “Something you can’t find at the NSCC”. This show being the largest in the world, it’s been deemed the slogan of “If you can’t find it at the National, it probably doesn’t exist.” At the time of writing the article, there were no female athletes as a part of the list of signers at the event. It was a troubling experience to see that occur, so I wanted to start a conversation around the missed audience and unintentional/intentional messaging. Luckily, my article helped create a big conversation, bringing more eyes to this, and encouraging change to happen.
Luckily the NSCC team took that in, and made something happen. Leaf partnered with the National to bring in reigning NCAA Champion, Angel Reese. After a season that sprung her to stardom, this peaked a lot of interest, and was a perfect candidate to fulfill the want of many.
A year after creating conversation, and being the person younger Kayla wished she had, eight members of the 1999 Women’s World Cup team. This is progress and this is impact.
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