(US wins on penalty kicks, 5-4)
PASADENA, Calif. - When Brandi Chastain fell to her knees at the penalty mark, pumped both fists in the air, and ripped off her shirt, the sense of relief showed and the victory celebration began. A game-winning penalty kick by Chastain planted in the upper right side of the goal secured the Americans' place in history and their second World Cup triumph. The Americans' 5-4 penalty- kick decision yesterday at the Rose Bowl capped a three-week long quest for the title.
From the beginning of the 1999 Women's World Cup, the Americans had been asked to shoulder a heavy burden. They were designated as soccer ambassadors and center-stage stars in a soccer celebration that turned out bigger than all expectations. Yesterday, the building pressure that has marked the Americans' wild ride through the tournament came to a fitting, dramatic conclusion after 120 minutes of scoreless play.
''I'm delighted that we won this tournament,'' said US coach Tony DiCicco, whose team had not played an overtime match since its 1996 Olympic semifinal win over Norway. ''It came down to them just not allowing themselves to lose. To make all five penalty kicks in a pressure-cooker environment like this and for [goalkeeper Briana Scurry] to come up with a save is a storybook ending for a team that has its place in history.''
Added Chastain about surviving the overtime periods, ''Each one of us has, I think, hearts that are a little too big for our chests. We came together and said, `We're not going to let the game go.'''
When regulation time ended, the crowd of 90,185 - the largest ever to watch a women's sporting event - had plenty to cheer but no goals to celebrate. In another women's World Cup first, the championship game went to two 15-minute sudden-death overtime periods. In the 100th minute, midfielder Kristine Lilly saved the Americans' title chances, heading away a ball from her position on the goal line.
''I was just doing my job,'' she said. ''Every time there is a corner kick, I'm on the post and I just shift with the ball. It came right to my head.''
Despite Lilly's ho-hum recollection of the save, the Chinese came within inches of earning their first Cup, and the close call symbolized the way China dominated the first overtime.
In addition, the Americans were without Michelle Akers, who was knocked to the ground in the final minute of regulation as she guarded the near post on a Chinese corner kick and left exhausted and dehydrated.
In a game destined to be determined by possession, the hosts displayed the speed necessary to prevent China from controlling the midfield. The US didn't let the Chinese five-midfielder formation overwhelm its three halfbacks. The forwards came back to help and the back line sent players up to assist.
Against the Chinese, the US quickly needed to address concerns about its recent play. In the Americans' five previous Cup matches, they had gotten off to slow starts. In their 5-0 semifinal rout of Norway, the Chinese used early goals to set the tone and stifle midfield play. Entering the final, DiCicco's team knew it had to prevent China from scoring in the first 10 minutes. Also, the Americans - particularly star forward Mia Hamm and cocaptain midfielder Julie Foudy - had to elevate their play.
For the first 10 minutes, China failed to pressure Scurry. In fact, the visitors only recorded two shots in the opening 45 minutes - both late in the half. Well known for their ability to score off free kicks, the Chinese had a perfect opportunity in the 35th minute with Sun Wen. However, the ball sailed over the crossbar. Pu Wei sent a ball wide in the 40th minute.
To counter the Chinese attack, which came perilously close to scoring from inside the penalty box, the Americans deployed Kate Sobrero to mark Chinese scoring sensation Sun. Wherever Sun had the ball, Sobrero was there.
The American defense came well prepared to stop the fleet-footed Chinese, notorious for quick, short passes up front and the ability of their forwards to catch up with long passes from the back and slip past defenders. The US regularly beat the Chinese to the ball in the first 45 minutes and on a few occasions stripped Sun and Liu Ailing. Early in the game, Hamm came back from her forward position to the 18-yard-line, where she knocked the ball from Liu's feet. The Americans also used their height advatage to head balls out of the penalty area. Late in the second half, Chastain made a 3-yard sliding tackle to stop the dangerous Zhang Ouying.
''I think both teams wanted to attack,'' said DiCicco. ''We wanted to attack. To their credit, they're a very good defensive team. It's hard to keep the ball against the way they play defense. Trust me, I'm delighted in the outcome, but I wish there had been some goals.''
The hosts tested Chinese keeeper Gao Hong with a few high shots and close crosses. The Americans outshot the Chinese, 4-2, in the first half and recorded the only shot on goal before intermission. In the eighth minute, Hamm curved a free kick around the Chinese defense and had Akers making a run to the far post. But the veteran midfielder was a stride too slow to capitalize. Four minutes later, Akers took aim from 35 yards, forcing Gao off her line and into the air for the save.
In the second half and overtime, the Chinese picked up their offensive tempo and finished the game outshooting the US, 12-11, including a 4-1 advantage in the first overtime.
''Even though the American team won, I think the Chinese team is the best team in the world,'' said Chinese coach Ma Yuanan.
But more than numbers, the American understood they had secured women's soccer a foothold in the sports landscape.
''This moment is more than a game,'' said Lilly. ''It's about female athletes. It's about sport. It's about everything. I don't think we can sustain this level of attention. But I think people caught on to us. They attached themselves to us and I don't think they're going to let go.''
