Brandi Chastain News

Updated
12-14-09

What is Brandi Chastain up to? Check Brandi Chastain News frequently to keep up. “Full Story” links to the original on-line news article. All links here are viewable at no charge, though some may require a free registration. See also the Brandi Chastain Fan Site home page and other Chastain News. Some links may no longer be available.

Brandi Chastain Interview
With Inside Soccer Radio

12-04-09 Brandi and Mia Join Up in Anti-Flu Campaign (NorthJersey.com) Brandi Chastain is a four-time Olympic medalist who kicked the winning goal of the 1999 Women's World Cup. A mom to son Jaden, she currently plays for the WPS FC Gold Pride in the San Francisco Bay area. Along with Mia Hamm and WPS, Chastain is raising awareness about the importance of getting a flu vaccination yearly...The effort is part of a national education campaign called "Don't Play with the Flu," which aims to increase seasonal flu vaccination rates for eligible kids and families across the country..."My family and I don't have time to play with the flu," said Chastain, when asked why she joined the campaign. Full Story Back to Top

11-20-09 Brandi Supports New Santa Clara Stadium (San Francisco Chronicle) A pro-Santa Clara stadium group stocked with former civic leaders has fired the first salvo in the ballot-box battle over moving the San Francisco 49ers to Silicon Valley - sending out a mailer this week even though an election date for the proposed stadium hasn't been set. The mailer has photos of more than 50 stadium supporters - everyone from Olympic soccer star Brandi Chastain to state Sen. Elaine Alquist, D-Santa Clara - and was supposed to be sent to the homes of every one of Santa Clara's 46,000 registered voters. Full Story Back to Top

10-19-09 Brandi Video Introduces Don't Play with the Flu Website (Creston News Advertiser) Seasonal flu will face new opponents this year. Soccer legends and moms Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain are teaming up with Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) to make seasonal flu vaccination a higher priority. The effort is part of a national education campaign called "Don't Play with the Flu," which aims to increase seasonal flu vaccination rates for eligible kids and families across the country. Full Story Back to Top

10-07-09 Brandi Narrates Ski Jumping Documentary (Ski Channel) Documentary filmmaker Cara Perlman...followed the plight of Lindsey Van and her fellow women ski jumpers from the joy of the International Ski Federation voting 114-1 to recommend women's ski jumping be included at the upcoming Winter Olympics, to the gender slap in the face when the IOC said no. The film is narrated by soccer star Brandi Chastain. Full Story Back to Top

10-04-09 Brandi Runs in Sas Jose Half Marathon (Examiner.com) Meb Keflezighi, running solo for most of the race, unofficially set a new American record for the 20K on roads, on his way to a winning time of 1:01:00 at the San Jose Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon today... Women's soccer star, Brandi Chastain, finished her third straight year at the event in a...respectable 1:59:03. Full Story Back to Top

09-30-09 Brandi Signed to Another Season in Women's Professional Soccer (San Jose Mercury News) FC Gold Pride has re-signed soccer icon Brandi Chastain of San Jose to another season in Women's Professional Soccer, the team announced Wednesday. But the Bay Area club has a long way to go before finalizing its 2010 roster with free agency, international signings, trades and the college draft looming. Chastain, 41, was one of six players re-signed...Signing Chastain, who played in only 10 of the team's 20 matches and didn't have a goal or assist, was a priority for a team that finished last in 2009. "Her leadership was invaluable in the midfield," coach Albertin Montoya said. "She doesn't have the pace of 10 years ago, but her mind is that much faster." Chastain, in Copenhagen to support Chicago's bid to become the 2016 Olympic host city, became the team's starting center midfielder at the end of last season. She missed a month because of a hamstring injury and commitments with the reality TV show "Superstars." Full Story Back to Top

09-29-09 Brandi Goes to Copenhagen to Promote Chicago for 2016 Olympics (Atlanta Journal Constitution) Brandi Chastain, former soccer player with the U.S. national women's team, arrives as part of the Chicago 2016 Olympic bid team at Kastrup airport in Copenhagen, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. Chicago is competing with Tokyo, Madrid and Rio de Janeiro for the right to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The IOC will choose the winning city in a vote on Friday Oct. 2 in Copenhagen. Full Story Back to Top

07-21-09 Brandi Eliminated from Superstars (Examiner.com - USA) Soccer player Brandi Chastain and singer Julio Iglesias Jr. were eliminated in the fifth episode in the six-show primetime series. Full Story Back to Top

07-05-09 Brandi's Gold Pride Struggles for Wins (Berryessa Sun - Berryessa, CA) Two days before her 41st birthday and a decade removed from the 1999 Women's World Cup, Brandi Chastain ran out onto the field at Buck Shaw Stadium on Sunday as a substitute in the 74th minute — a savvy veteran trying to ignite the sluggish FC Gold Pride. She succeeded in part. The Gold Pride swarmed the Saint Louis Athletica goal in the final 15 minutes but lacked the finishing touch — again — in a 1-0 loss in Women's Professional Soccer. The last-place Gold Pride (3-7-3) had hoped to start a late playoff push. Instead, its winless streak was extended to six games. The Gold Pride has seven games remaining, including four at home. Full Story Back to Top

07-05-09 Brandi's World Cup Victory Celebrates 10th Anniversary (Sacramento Bee - CA) It was the kick seen 'round the world with an impact still felt today. One victory launched one women's professional soccer league, and now is being commemorated by another. Ten years have past since the U.S. women's national team triumphed in the 1999 Women's World Cup. Today, the FC Gold Pride will salute the "99ers," including two members of its team – Brandi Chastain and Tiffeny Milbrett. Full Story Back to Top

07-02-09 Brandi and Podiatrist Dr. Joan Oloff Join Forces in New Project (San Jose Mercury News - CA) Through "Brandi's World," the online community they are developing, the pair aim to help young women realize their fullest potential. Also, by acquainting adolescent girls with positive role models and encouraging them to share their feelings on a number of topics via cyberspace, Oloff and Chastain hope to offset the often negative influences of 21st-century media. Chastain's first interaction with Oloff was as a patient eight years ago. At the time, Chastain was a member of the San Jose CyberRays professional soccer team and had sustained one of her numerous foot injuries...Oloff says Chastain's "real" persona — and particularly her interactions with adolescent girls — inspired her to partner with Chastain in what has become the Brandi's World site. "Because of Brandi's injuries, I've had an opportunity to observe her a lot," Oloff says. "There's a common link to every interaction with her. There is an almost magical connection between young girls and Brandi that is a phenomenal thing to witness. When they talk to her, it's almost like they've just seen God."...Brandi's World aims to connect girls via topics of universal interest to them — both fun and on the more serious side. A number of adult "experts" have already signed up to help answer users' questions. http://www.brandisworld.com/ Full Story Back to Top

07-02-09 10th Anniversary of Brandi's Big Win Coming Up (USA Today - USA) Ten years ago today, the U.S. women's soccer team was coming off a victory against Germany in the Women's World Cup and heading to California for its July 4 semifinal, then the July 10 final — which it won before a U.S. TV audience of 40 million when Brandi Chastain made her penalty kick, then famously took off her jersey and whipped it over her head in triumph. It was a pivotal moment in our culture — and not just for the future of sports bras. (Interesting, isn't it, how we don't give a second thought to seeing women working out in them now?) It was the first time this country fell for female athletes who were not in dresses, leotards or swimsuits, but in baggy soccer uniforms. It was the first time macho male sports fans found it not only acceptable, but actually kind of cool, to watch a women's sports event that wasn't the Olympics or a Grand Slam tennis final. And it was the first time young female athletes could see that the nation was riveted by something they might someday do...And respect? Examples abound, big and small. Just last weekend, the nation's newspapers used the adjective "men's" when writing about the U.S. soccer success, for one reason — they had to. You think national soccer in America, you think women. Full Story Back to Top

06-30-09 Brandi's Receives Her Hostage Bra (USA Today - USA) When the short-lived Sports Museum of America in New York City filed for bankruptcy this spring, the feds seized...Brandi Chastain's famous sports bra from the 1999 World Cup...On Tuesday, the iconic sports bra was reunited with its owner..."It's arrived!!!!" Chastain wrote in a text message, attaching a picture of the bra seen 'round the world...With the help of a lawyer, Chastain didn't have to pay for its safe return (she thinks)...Recently, she sent those handling its return an e-mail explaining why it was important to get the sports bra back at this time. It's the 10th anniversary of 1999 World Cup, which Chastain won with the game-clinching penalty kick. Full Story Back to Top

06-23-09 Brandi Chastain and Julio Iglesias, Jr. Come in Second in First Superstars Episode (Seacoastonline.com - Portsmouth, NH) “The Superstars,” a new reality competition, premiered on Tuesday. The show puts professional athletes and celebrities in teams of two for some seriously tough physical competitions. Each week the bottom four teams according to points will have to compete in an elimination obstacle course...The first competition was a 1.1 mile trek across the bridge to Atlantis in the Bahamas. Each team was given one bike, and the big decision for each team would be when to use the bike...Brandi and Julio stayed together and were the first full team to cross the finish line, crowning them the winners...The second competition was a river rapids race...The second heat began with David, Terrell, Maks and Brandi. David took the early lead, which was only made better by a great wave. Terrell tried to box him out, but there was no chance. Brandi was flipped out of her boat somewhere in the middle of the river...Kristi and Maks, Brandi and Julio and Bode and Paige were safe from elimination. Full Story Back to Top

06-06-09 Brandi Encourages Support for Women's Professional Soccer (San Jose Mercury News - CA) Brandi Chastain remembers the main question she heard after the death in 2003 of the Women's United Soccer Association — the United States' first major women's professional soccer league. Where did it go? "If you want women's soccer to survive," Chastain would tell them, "if you want young girls, your daughters, to have a place to aspire to, a place that's going to inspire them, you have to buy a ticket and be a part of the process." Given a second chance this spring, with the unveiling of Women's Professional Soccer, women's soccer fans haven't exactly rushed through the turnstiles...After drawing 6,459 spectators for its home opener at Santa Clara University's Buck Shaw Stadium on April 5, the team saw its attendance shrink to 3,321 for its second home game and to 2,533 for its third. The Gold Pride, which includes the 40-year-old Chastain, responded by slashing ticket prices by 25 percent for the remainder of the season, which continues with a home game Sunday against Chicago. "I don't attribute that to the product that we have," said Ilisa Kessler, the team's general manager. "I'm attributing those changes more to the economy." The Gold Pride's home game May 24 against Los Angeles, the team's first since the price adjustment, drew 6,280 fans..."It's like anything else — if people are interested in something, you have to participate," Chastain said. "Otherwise, it will go away." Full Story Back to Top

05-01-09 Buck Shaw Stadium Brings Good Memories to Brandi (Soccer America - USA) "I'm going to be playing soccer somewhere," she says of her spot with FC Gold Pride, based in northern California, where she was born and raised. "It might as well be here." "Here" is Buck Shaw Stadium, where she finished her college career with Santa Clara nearly two decades ago. Once home to the Broncos' baseball team as well as the soccer teams, it's been expanded and spruced up from the days Chastain scored 32 goals during two seasons (1989-90) that ended with losses in the national semifinals. "This is my favorite place in the world to play," she says. "It's great. I love it. A lot of good memories there, I can envision my parents and my grandfather, I can hear my mom yelling." Her parents and grandfather, all deceased, instilled a strong sense of family. Full Story Back to Top

04-26-09 Brandi Shares about Superstars (USA Today - USA) When Brandi Chastain joined FC Gold Pride in Women's Professional Soccer, she told the coaches and staff she needed to talk to them about a prior engagement. Chastain, still a model of fitness at age 40, was set to compete in ABC's The Superstars, a made-for-television competition pitting athletes from various sports against each other. Filming would take Chastain away from the team for a couple of weeks, but the team agreed that the publicity boost for the nascent team and league would justify her absence. "I watched Superstars growing up and loved it," Chastain says from the Bahamas, where the series is filming...Chastain isn't forgetting her regular job. She keeps in touch with the team and was planning to spend her day off working out. Trainer Ashley Selman traveled with her to the Bahamas. "I brought my cleats; I brought my ball," Chastain says. One current twist on the series: Athletes are paired with celebrities. Chastain found she had a lot in common with her partner, singer and Real Madrid fan Julio Iglesias Jr..."Don't miss the first episode because it's going to be hysterical," she says. The series premieres June 23. Full Story Back to Top

04-23-09 Brandi Teaches Soccer Skills at Weplay (URLwire - Knoxville, TN) Youth sports community site Weplay.com has launched a youth sports Skills and Drills library. Initially launched with baseball, softball and soccer...Soccer Skills and Drills (http://www.weplay.com/youth-soccer/drills) includes videos of world champion Brandi Chastain demonstrating how to make aggressive soccer decisions, Jonathan Bornstein teaching how to take a header and Heather O'Reilly explaining shooting drills among hundreds of other youth soccer drills. Full Story Back to Top

04-23-09 Brandi's Famous Bra in Federal Custody in New Jersey (Wall Street Journal - USA) Professional soccer player Brandi Chastain was in the Bahamas earlier this week taping an episode of "The Superstars" when she got a disturbing email regarding The Bra. The black sports undergarment she famously exposed to the world after a game-winning goal in the 1999 World Cup had been taken into custody by U.S. bankruptcy court. To secure its release from a storage facility in Newark, N.J., Ms. Chastain would have to pay $250 -- plus shipping. "Thank goodness I have another one," she jokes...the items had been loaned to the Sports Museum of America in New York, a for-profit organization that recently declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy after opening to great fanfare in May. To satisfy creditors, all of the museum's assets were seized, and if they aren't claimed promptly, they may face the auction block. That doesn't sit well with many of the athletes and organizations that lent the items with the understanding they'd eventually be returned. Full Story Back to Top

04-22-09 Brandi's Bra Caught Up in Bankruptcy Drama (New York Times - United States) The trustee for the creditors of the shuttered Sports Museum of America has asked a federal bankruptcy court judge to charge fees to those who provided it with artifacts that start at $250 per item and rise to $2,500 for more than 20 pieces, plus $750 for every 10 items above 20. The museum, in Lower Manhattan, lasted less than a year and filed a Chapter 7 liquidation petition last month, citing $55.5 million in assets and $177.1 million in liabilities. Schuyler Carroll, a lawyer for the trustee, said the fees were intended to offset the costs of storage, cataloging, insurance and staff involved in returning the artifacts. The memorabilia came from collectors, dozens of halls of fame and sports organizations and athletes, including Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Michael Phelps and Bonnie Blair. Carroll said the fees apply to the artifacts' owners who go through the trustee; others can consult their own lawyers. Full Story Back to Top

04-21-09 Brandi Participates in Superstars Reality Show on ABC (abc11tv.com - Raleigh, NC) Eight athletes...will team with eight celebrities in the latest reincarnation of "The Superstars," ABC television announced Tuesday...the competition gets under way on June 23 (8 p.m. ET, ABC). The eight teams will compete weekly in events including swimming, biking, running and kayaking. One team will be eliminated each week, leading up to the finals. The series will run for six weeks...athletes include soccer great Brandi Chastain. Full Story Back to Top

04-09-09 Brandi Excited About Playing First Pride Game (The Santa Clara - CA) A crowd of 6,459 fans, most of them girls who looked as if they play youth soccer, and their booming thunder sticks greeted U.S. women's soccer legend and Santa Clara alumna Brandi Chastain as she subbed into the game in the 65th minute of the match for co-captain and fellow Santa Clara alumna Leslie Osborne. "I didn't hear anything except the beating of my heart, the excitement was overflowing," said Chastain. "I was like a rookie out there, I was so excited." The San Jose, Calif., native made her return to Buck Shaw on Sunday, where she helped Santa Clara earn two NCAA semifinal appearances. Chastain finished her Bronco career with 32 goals, 8 assists and 72 points. Full Story Back to Top

04-05-09 Brandi Plays in Pride's First Game (San Jose Mercury News - CA) As far as debuts go, the FC Gold Pride couldn't have asked for anything better. The weather cooperated with a sun-kissed California afternoon. A good home crowd of 6,459 gathered for the team's inaugural Women's Professional Soccer game. And, finally, a storybook finish. Tiffeny Milbrett, the former U.S. national team star who had to call the Gold Pride just to ask for a tryout, scored in the 90th minute with a rocket shot from 10 yards out as the team won its first game, 2-1 over the Boston Breakers at Buck Shaw Stadium on Sunday...Local favorite Brandi Chastain got perhaps the loudest cheer of the day when she entered in the 65th minute. "I didn't hear anything frankly except the sound of my heart beating out of my chest," Chastain said. Full Story Back to Top

04-04-09 Brandi Meets Former Teammate Kristine Lilly in Battle (Goal.com - Switzerland) Sunday's Boston Breakers-FC Gold Pride match will turn into a classic match reuniting former teammates make their WPS debut on opposite sides of the field. Toni DiCicco the all-time winningest coach in U.S. women's history, leads Kristine Lilly and the Boston Breakers against Brandi Chastain, Tiffeny Milbrett and FC Gold Pride. DiCicco coached Lilly, Chastain and Milbrett to both the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal and 1999 Women's World Cup. Full Story Back to Top

04-01-09 Brandi Impresses Coach on the Field (San Francisco Chronicle - CA) Christine Sinclair, when asked Tuesday how it feels to be on the same team as Brandi Chastain and Tiffeny Milbrett, said, "Who are they?" She quickly got serious. "They're out there proving themselves every day," she said. "And they're the last ones on this team who need to prove themselves."...coach Albertin Montoya...admits Chastain has surprised the coaching staff with her fitness level and her unflagging energy during a month of training...Play will be at a much higher caliber in WPS, according to Chastain, who played for the WUSA's San Jose CyberRays."From top to bottom, it's better," she said. "The CyberRays were good, and the league was good before. But the younger players coming up this time around have had more experience internationally with youth national teams. My generation didn't really have that. It was the full national team or nothing."...Asked if her young teammates call her mom, she said, "Only when I bring them food." Full Story Back to Top

03-25-09 Brandi Makes the Team (USA Today - USA) At age 40, Brandi Chastain had never considered herself retired, continuing to play in smaller-scale competition. FC Gold Pride, the Bay Area team, drafted her and gave her a shot. She made the team, moving up from defense into midfield. "I knew from the beginning that I had to make an impression," Chastain says. "I thought it was incredibly fair." Full Story Back to Top

03-22-09 Brandi Chastain Makes Opening-day Roster for Gold Pride (Contra Costa Times - Walnut Creek, CA) They're older than their coach, but age hasn't stopped Brandi Chastain and Tiffeny Milbrett from making the opening-day roster for FC Gold Pride in the inaugural season of the Women's Professional Soccer league. Gold Pride Coach Albertin Montoya said today the aging stars - Chastain is 40, Milbrett 36 - made the Bay Area club after outperforming players 10 and 15 years younger. "When you see some of the younger players pulling out with soreness and injuries and you have Brandi still out there playing her heart out, there's a lot to be said for that," Montoya, 33, said. Chastain, a three-time Olympic medalist from San Jose, was a member of the CyberRays of the now-defunct Women's United Soccer Association that launched after the success of the 1999 World Cup. She will be used as an attacking midfielder after getting drafted in the seventh round in January. Full Story Back to Top

02-13-09 Brandi Finishes First Day at Pebble Beach (San Jose Mercury News - CA) Brandi Chastain, one of the most famous female soccer players in the world, still gets a thrill from the attention she attracts from young people. "Honestly, for me, it's humbling and it's inspiring," she said on her way to the No. 18 tee at Spyglass Hill on Thursday after cavorting with about three dozen athletes from neighboring Stevenson School...Chastain, playing in her first AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, signed an autograph or three before realizing she would be needed at the tee box and wouldn't be able to accommodate everybody. So she broke into a jog, slapping the hands of everybody on the left side of the restraining rope, then turned and did the same down the right side...With her husband, Jerry Smith, caddying for her, Chastain showed some impressive ability on the course, smacking long, straight drives on most holes and displaying a soft touch around the greens..."Not my best golf, actually, but I had a terrific teammate (PGA pro Kirk Triplett), who did his best to make me feel at ease today," said Chastain, who was assigned a 16 handicap for the tournament. "I have to say I had a few nerves today," she said. "In fact, I threw out the first pitch once at Yankee Stadium, and this may be the only thing that got close to that feeling of, 'Hey, you better do a good job.'"...Chastain and Triplett finished their opening round at 3 under par as a team. Full Story Back to Top

01-21-09 Brandi Fulfills Dream of Playing Golf at AT&T (San Jose Mercury News - CA) "Soccer, the World Cup, penalty kicks are nothing compared to this," Chastain said Monday. "I've been trying for 10 years to get into this darned tournament."...The reason there haven't been more women, said Ollie Nutt, CEO of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, which runs the tournament, is that the committee hadn't found the right celebrity, one who would be entertaining for the fans and competitive on the golf course. But Chastain is a serious golfer (she is a member at San Jose Country Club and carries a 14 handicap) with a serious attachment to the AT&T. As a child, Chastain said her late grandfather would take her to the tournament every year. They would walk around Pebble Beach, then buy strawberry shortcake and sit along the 18th fairway and watch the golfers and celebrities stroll past. "For me, it's probably a lifelong dream, although I didn't know it when I was a kid," Chastain said. "I know it's something my grandfather would have been over the moon about." Her grandfather also taught her the game, taking her to the driving range and giving her direction as she pounded golf balls. "I really had no idea what he was talking about, but I loved being with him and golf was our bond, really," Chastain said. Full Story Back to Top

01-20-09 Brandi to Play Golf at AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (Golfweek.com - Orlando, Florida) Former soccer star Brandi Chastain, a 14 handicap who plays golf twice a week, will make her inaugural appearance in the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in mid-February. Full Story Back to Top

01-16-09 Brandi Drafted for Gold Pride Team (San Jose Mercury News - CA) "Three months ago I wasn't sure she could," FC Gold Pride Coach Albertin Montoya said Friday after picking Chastain in the seventh round of the Women's Professional Soccer league general draft. Chastain, perhaps the South Bay's most prominent female sports figure, changed her coach's mind during a series of tryout camps for the start-up professional league that begins play in April. She became the team's featured selection on a day the Gold Pride filled out its roster with a handful of promising college players. "Watching her, she still has it," said Montoya, who added that taking Chastain wasn't a gimmick. "At the end of the day I've got to pick players who can make the difference. She doesn't waste energy; she reads the game." Chastain, expected to play a quarterbacking role in the midfield, hasn't been with the U.S. national team since 2004 but competed with the semi-pro California Storm in recent years...With the Gold Pride playing at Buck Shaw Stadium, Chastain returns home to Santa Clara University, where she led the Broncos to two College Cup appearances. Full Story Back to Top

12-03-08 Brandi Still Has No Role in New Team (San Jose Mercury News - CA) FC Gold Pride is part of the new Women's Professional Soccer league, which is scheduled to start play in April. The team will face an uphill battle, launching during a stomach-churning economy in a saturated sports market. But it has one important thing in its favor: It's launching in Brandi Chastain's backyard. Chastain is a natural resource. She has more passion for soccer in her ponytail than most people can muster for anything. Her enthusiasm is indefatigable, contagious. She's a part of the fabric of the game: She has helped create its biggest moments and suffered its most painful collapses. And she's a vibrant part of our community. So it seems odd that, four months after the team was formed, an asset as valuable as Chastain still has no role: player; player/assistant coach; Queen of Good Soccer Karma; Ambassador of Cleats. Chastain, for her part, is optimistic that she will have a role with FC Gold...Chastain would like to play. Unlike her famous teammates, she never retired, but was unceremoniously dumped by former national team coach Greg Ryan (the first of many bad ideas that led to his firing last year)..."I'll do anything that helps the team and the league thrive,'' she said. One would assume that FC Gold will pick Chastain in next month's general draft, which is the latest of the WPS's selection of players. Full Story Back to Top

11-03-08 Brandi Finds Going Rough at Marathon (MSN India - Bangalore, Karnataka, India) Former soccer star Brandi Chastain needed to walk parts of the last 10 miles because of cramping. How much training did you do? "Not enough," she said. What was your time goal? "To finish," said Chastain, who crossed the line in 4 hours, 11 minutes, 8 seconds. After the marathon, she said she felt nauseous..."I've been in training sessions where I've felt like I'm at my end, just pushing through to make it," Chastain said. "I'm not so sure I felt as battered on the field as I felt on Sunday." Full Story Back to Top

10-16-08 Brandi's Team Second in Charity Golf Event (Earthtimes (press release) - London, UK) Van Dillen Partners, producer of The Challenge charity golf events, announced today the results of the second annual Silicon Valley Salesgenie.com Golf Challenge held Monday, October 6th, 2008 at the Stanford University Golf Course...The second place team of Carol Bartz, Mary Meeker, Jenni Tangtaphiboontana, Kay Cockerill, and Brandi Chastain stayed on the heels of the otherwise all men’s event and were the story of the day after qualifying as a wild card team and winning all 3 levels of the skills competition before losing in the finals. Their $40,000 second place prize was donated equally to five different local entities of the ladies’ choice. Full Story Back to Top

09-24-08 BAWSI's Brandi to Run in San Jose Half Marathon (RunnersWeb - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) More than 13,000 runners and walkers are expected to take to the streets of San Jose on Sunday, October 5, 2008 for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon...Led by Olympic and World Cup soccer star Brandi Chastain, the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative (BAWSI) will be running to promote programs through which women athletes bring health, hope and wholeness to our community. Full Story Back to Top

09-24-08 Brandi Chastain Training for New York City Marathon (Modesto Bee - Modesto, CA) Soccer star Brandi Chastain and gymnast Kerri Strug are training for the New York City Marathon and promoting youth fitness. Chastain and Strug are ambassadors for the ING Run for Something Better program. Full Story Back to Top

08-20-08 Brandi Analyses Olympics (USA Today - USA) The Beijing Olympics are down to their last four days, but they have enough TV events left to last the summer. Today alone, midnight to midnight, NBC will offer 73 hours of coverage spread over NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Oxygen, Telemundo and Universal HD, with an extra 24 thrown in if you get the Basketball Channel and Soccer Channel...Whatever you think of her sport, Olson does a fine job of explaining it, a trait she has in common with many of her cable compatriots. One standout has been soccer's Brandi Chastain, who shares her expertise in ways that are informative, entertaining and honest. Many a big-time prime-time analyst could learn something from her. Full Story Back to Top

08-05-08 Brandi Helps Organize WPS Social Site (eMediaWorld.com Newswire Press Release Distribution Service (press release) - Phoenix, AZ) On the eve of the U.S. Women's first soccer match in the 2008 Olympic Games, Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) has launched a social networking site at http://fans.womensprosoccer.com, giving soccer fans around the world an opportunity to interact with each other while viewing exclusive content such as live chats, reporter commentary, and player blogs. The theme? "Beijing Now. WPS Next."...Among the site's highlights is the "Top Town Video Challenge," featuring special guest judge Brandi Chastain, former U.S. Women's National Team member and star defender for the WUSA San Jose CyberRays. Now through Tuesday, August 26th, fans are encouraged to visit http://fans.womensprosoccer.com and submit their home videos explaining why their city is the "Top Town" when it comes to soccer..."What I love about soccer is the passion -- the intensity, the spirit, the celebrations. I can't wait to see fans' videos expressing that same zeal as they aim to prove that they're living in America's greatest soccer community," said Chastain, a native of San Jose, Calif. "Like soccer, I expect this to be a competition filled with tricky moves and surprises, and I'm looking forward to the challenge of picking the winner." Full Story Back to Top

07-16-2008 Brandi to Be Olympic Soccer Analyst for NBC (SFCPressPoint (press release) - Tampa, FL) A record 106 NBC Olympic commentators will broadcast an unprecedented 3,600 hours of Beijing Olympic Games coverage, the most ambitious single media project in history...SOCCER: Veteran soccer play-by-play commentator JP Dellacamera calls his second Olympics, working alongside analysts Marcelo Balboa, who made his debut as a soccer analyst at the 2004 Athens Games and first time Olympic analyst Brandi Chastain. Balboa, a longtime star in Major League Soccer, was the first American to play in three World Cups. With the Women's National Team, Chastain has played in three Olympics (Athens, Sydney and Atlanta) and three Women's World Cups (1991, 1999 and 2003). Full Story Back to Top

06-25-08 Brandi Plays for California Storm Against Much Younger Players (Register Pajaronian - Watsonville, CA) The United States has been without a professional women’s soccer league since the WUSA folded in 2003, meaning that for anyone good enough to play collegiate soccer but not quite good enough for national team duty, the only options were rec leagues and semi-pro clubs...The California Storm, who the Blues host Saturday, feature two players — former U.S. National team star Brandi Chastain and Brazilian national team player Sissi— that most of the Blues’ roster grew up watching. “Yeah, the whole team’s really psyched,” Gilbert said of lining up opposite Chastain. Full Story Back to Top

06-14-08 Brandi and Mia Host Free Clinic at First Mia Hamm-Brandi Chastain-Julie Foudy Soccer Academy (Fox 12 Boise - Nampa, ID) Soccer pros Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain scored big in Eagle on Saturday. They were on hand to celebrate the opening of an academy bearing their name, but the soccer players also wanted to teach local kids a thing or two about the sport that made them famous. Thousands of soccer fans packed a field at the Legacy subdivision off Floating Feather Road as World Cup champions, and Olympic gold medallists, Hamm and Chastain took to the turf to help young players improve their game...This is the nation's first Mia Hamm-Brandi Chastain-Julie Foudy Soccer Academy. Full Story Back to Top

06-13-08 Brandi Helps Develop First Sports Academy Community (Fox 12 Boise - Nampa, ID) Some of the worlds greatest athletes are lending their names and efforts to develop the first sports academy community in the United States...and it's happening right here in Eagle. "The concept here was lets take some of that instruction and those facilities and that training support and lets put it in the middle of a residential community," said development partner Todd Santiago. Eagle Idaho will be the very first US location to boast a Legacy Signature Academies Community...or in layman's terms a living space centered around sports and outdoor activities...Sports stars Jack Nicklaus, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy, Mark Spitz, Jim Courier, and Mia Hamm have all gotten involved in developing sports programs to be taught by the communities coaches...The housing is relatively affordable as well...the homes start around $250,000 to around $450,000 with monthly dues ranging from $90 to $245... a fraction of the cost of belonging to a country club...Hamm and Brandi Chastain will be hosting a free soccer event for all ages and abilities tomorrow afternoon from 2:30 - 5:00 at the Legacy location in Eagle. Full Story Back to Top

06-10-08 Brandi Has a Busy Summer (Nevada Appeal - Carson City, NV) Chastain, along with her brother Chad, and Tina Estrada, who just completed her soccer career at Santa Clara University, are conducting camps each day through Friday at the South Reno Sports Complex and Edmonds. About 45 youths — mostly girls but some boys — are participating in the camp at Edmonds...While Chastain said she would obviously love to work with as many players as possible, she said the number of the players at this week’s camp will allow for a “personal connection with kids.”...On the first day of the camp on Tuesday, Chastain said she and her brother had spent a great deal of time with their grandparents, Roger and Hazel Chastain, who live in Carson City, and their aunt, Judy Jackson, who is a Carson City employee...It’s going to be a busy summer for Chastain. The camp in Carson and Reno is the second of third camps she’s doing this month. She’s already helped conduct four seminars for pontential Olympians...In the seminars Chastain talks to the athletes about what the Olympic experience is like and the responsiblities of being an Olympian. She still has seminars remaining, including one with the U.S. Men’s Basketball Team in July. In addition, Chastain will play again in the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship to be held July 8-13 at Edgewood in Stateline. And there’s the Olympics where Chastain will served as the color commentator for women’s soccer. “This will be my first time (doing) color,” Chastain said. “This is going to be fun. I think it’s going to go off well.” Full Story Back to Top

05-21-08 Brandi Modifies Her Dreams (Nevada Appeal - Carson City, NV) Brandi Chastain has never been one to give up on her dreams. But admittedly for Chastain, she may now have to make an adjustment in her dreams. While not giving up on the possibility that she'll play at a highly competitive level again, Chastain admits that the chance of her coming back to the playing field diminishes with each year. But the new dream could be to coach at a high level...Chastain has always been committed to youth as demonstrated when she recently attended a ceremony to honor scholarship winners. The scholarships were presented by REACH, an organization co-chaired by Chastain, former NFL great Ronnie Lott and Major League Baseball player Kevin Frandsen..."This will be the first Olympic games that I'm not involved with them, that I'm not playing," Chastain said. But Chastain will still be heavily involved with this summer's Olympics. She will serve as a color commentator on NBC's broadcasts of women's soccer. She will also serve as part of a program that helps U.S. Olympic athletes prepare for what the experience is like and what it means to be an Olympian...when asked if she could some day be a coach for the national team, Chastain said, "The answer is yes and I hope so. I would love one day to be involved with the team." Full Story Back to Top

05-16-08 Brandi and Chastain Hold Camps in Nevada (Nevada Appeal - Carson City, NV) Brandi Chastain will again come back to Northern Nevada to provide instruction at two camps in Reno and Carson City as part of the Chastain Soccer Academy. Chastain and her brother, Chad, will return to the area to lead camps...Chad said the plan is to make the camps an annual event in Northern Nevada..."The turnout was awesome," said Chad about last year's camps. "We're real excited about coming back."...The camps are a natural fit for the area since the Chastains have family in Carson City, including their grandparents, Roger and Hazel Chastain. "It's nice to get back and visit our grandfolks which is part of why we come back," Chad said. Full Story Back to Top

05-08-08 Brandi Chastain Promotes Legacy Subdivision (IdahoStatesman.com - ID) Olympic soccer stars Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain will be in Eagle on June 14 to help promote the Legacy subdivision, which is in its first phase of construction. Project spokesman Todd Santiago said the sports-themed subdivision -- projected to include more than 1,300 homes on 700 acres -- will feature facilities and instruction for golf, soccer, tennis and swimming. The soccer academy's curriculum will be designed by Hamm, Chastain and Julie Foudy, who guided the U.S. women's team to victory in the 1999 World Cup. Full Story Back to Top

04-04-08 Brandi Chastain Encourages Young Athletes at Loma Prieta Elementary (San Jose Mercury News - CA) Dressed in a red, white and blue warm-up suit, Brandi Chastain seemed just as excited running in to a room full of cheering kids Thursday morning as she once did taking the field during Olympic games. ...students, parents and teachers gathered at Loma Prieta Elementary, which is perched along the Santa Cruz Mountains Summit with a view of Monterey Bay...K-5 students who raise pledges and train all year long to run in the May 2 event got an inspirational boost from Chastain, who told them a story about an embarrassing goof-up to demonstrate that everyone makes mistakes. Recalling when a miscommunication with a World Cup teammate gave Germany an early lead in the 1999 contest, she said her team captain later told her, "Don't worry about it. It's OK. You're gonna make a difference."...For Chastain, firing kids up to exercise and play well with each other might be the most important goal she's ever kicked. In an interview after the pep rally, Chastain said she feels a responsibility to use her worldwide fame for sparking motivation in young lives. "I want them to know how awesome they are," she said. Full Story Back to Top

03-13-08 Brandi Speaks at National Girls and Women in Sports Day (City on a Hill Press - Santa Cruz, CA) The World Cup soccer champion and Olympic gold medalist is one of the most recognizable female athletes, due to her celebration at the 1999 World Cup...Chastain came to UC Santa Cruz on Saturday for National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which began in 1987. Saturday marked the fifth year that UCSC has hosted a NGWSD event. Chastain came to give a talk about what it means to be a woman in sports today...After the panel discussion, kids, parents and UCSC students went outside to kick around a soccer ball with Chastain for a little while before she eventually sat down to sign autographs...She also signed a few sports bras in the process. Full Story Back to Top

03-13-08 Brandi's Sports Bra Exhibited at Sports Museum of America (Earthtimes - London, UK) The National Soccer Hall of Fame now joins over 50 single-sport Halls of Fame, National Governing Bodies, Museums and other sports organizations across North America as a Founding Sports Partner of the Sports Museum of America (SmA)...In addition to the artifacts and soccer memorabilia from the National Soccer Hall of Fame, SmA will also feature high-profile soccer artifacts such as Mia Hamm's World Cup jersey and the sports bra Brandi Chastain made famous during the 1999 Women's World Cup. Full Story Back to Top

03-10-08 Brandi Speaks at Dads and Daughters Day (San Jose Mercury News - CA) Scores of families came for the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative's special Dads and Daughters Day at San Jose's HP Pavilion and to take in the two Pacific-10 Conference games as part of the basketball tournament. They were treated to pizza and sodas. They also got to hear from three Northern California sports heroes: U.S. women's soccer player Brandi Chastain, U.S. women's basketball player Jennifer Azzi and pro golfer Juli Inskter...Chastain, of San Jose, talked about how her father supported her love of soccer from an early age. Azzi, who played for Stanford, told how her dad built her a basketball hoop for the backyard when it became clear his daughter was addicted to the game...When Chastain's dad bought soccer books so the two could figure out the game, she said, she and her father "learned together." Sports give young girls confidence, teach them how to work with others and promote healthy lifestyles, Chastain and others said. They also give dads a chance to hang out with their daughters. "The greatest thing you give them is your time," Chastain said. Full Story Back to Top

03-08-08 Brandi and BAWSI Sponsors Dads and Daughters Day (San Jose Mercury News - CA) For years, the Bay Area has been a hotbed for women's sports. We've got great high school and college teams, and two pro leagues - though now departed - got their start here. Soccer legend Brandi Chastain has participated on all three levels. This weekend, the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative she founded is working to keep girls' competitive fires stoked with a special Dads and Daughters Day at the Pac-10 women's basketball tournament. The event, starting at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, includes sports celebrities such as Chastain, 49ers alum Brent Jones, basketball star Jennifer Azzi, golfer Juli Inkster, the San Francisco Giants' Bill Laskey and Merc sports columnist Mark Purdy. They'll talk about the influence that dads or daughters have made on their lives. Full Story Back to Top

03-06-08 Brandi Speaks at National Girls and Women in Sports Day (Santa Cruz Sentinel - Santa Cruz, CA) Brandi Chastain...says. "I love giving high fives. I love it because it makes me feel good and hopefully makes someone else feel good. It's kind of empowering." Over the past three years, Chastain has been trying to spread that power to girls across the Bay Area, one hand slap at a time. The retired three-time Olympian who has played for the United States in three World Cups will be in Santa Cruz on Saturday to share high fives and some of the lessons has learned from playing sports while speaking at a National Girls and Women in Sports Day event at UC Santa Cruz. In May, she hopes to help local girls put those lessons into practice when she brings her active after-school program to Gault School in Santa Cruz. Full Story Back to Top

02-28-08 Brandi Keynote Speaker at UC Santa Cruz (The Californian - Salinas, CA) Soccer star Brandi Chastain, one of the best-known women athletes in the world and a role model for a generation of girls, will headline the March 8 celebration at UC Santa Cruz of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Chastain, a former Olympic soccer player and a member of the 1999 Women's World Cup championship soccer team, will deliver the keynote address during the celebration, which will take place in the East Field House at UCSC. Full Story Back to Top

02-26-08 Brandi Still Aspires to National Team (The Star-Ledger - NJ.com - Newark, NJ) Approaching her 40th birthday in July, Chastain is hoping to keep her own playing dream alive...Chastain hasn't played with the United States women's national team since Dec. 6, 2004, but was hoping the change in coach last year, from Greg Ryan to Pia Sundhage, would make a difference. So far, it hasn't...Chastain felt that someone with her experience would prove vital to a team that must first qualify, then play in the Olympics without their most experienced player -- Kristine Lilly, who is pregnant...Chastain, who has 30 goals and 27 assists in her 17-year career, has 192 caps, eight shy of a milestone that means a great deal to her. Only five players -- Lilly, Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett and Tiffeny Milbrett -- have reached 200 caps. "That's probably the most significant number to me," she said..."I don't feel like I've finished it yet." Full Story Back to Top

02-06-08 Santa Clara Women's Basketball Team Supports BAWSI (The Santa Clara - CA) the Santa Clara women's basketball team works together to improve their skills as athletes, as well as positive role models in the community. The team is currently working closely with the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative. BAWSI was founded back in 2005 by Santa Clara alumna Brandi Chastain, along with fellow U.S. soccer star Julie Foudy and Marlene Bjornsrud...Other Santa Clara women's sports involved with BAWSI include crew, cross country, soccer, softball, tennis and water polo...Before the season started, as part of BAWSI, the Broncos took part in the American Cancer Society's annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Their initial goal was to raise $2,500 for breast cancer research, but they were able to exceed those expectations, raising over $3,000. Full Story Back to Top

12-13-07 Brandi Chastain Holds Youth Soccer Clinics in Hawaii (Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Honolulu, HI) Olympic and World Cup gold medalist Brandi Chastain will hold youth soccer clinics on Maui and Oahu later this month...The clinic is recommended for intermediate to advanced players. Full Story Back to Top

12-10-07 Brandi Chastain Helps Build Bikes for Kids (San Jose Mercury News - CA) TurningWheels for Kids is geared up for its big assembly day Saturday at the McEnery San Jose Convention Center. The Valley Medical Center non-profit program is aiming to build 2,000 bicycles for less-fortunate children. Last year, it took only four hours, so we'll see whether this year's team of volunteers has the competitive spirit to beat that. You can count on that spirit from soccer icon Brandi Chastain, who will be there putting bikes together with six girls from the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative. Full Story Back to Top

10-22-07 Soccer's Greg Ryan Fired; Brandi's Husband Considered as Replacement (Orange County Register - Costa Mesa, CA) U.S. Soccer has fired Ryan as national team coach less than a month after he touched off a controversy by benching Solo for Team USA's ill-fated Women's World Cup semifinal loss to Brazil...Ryan's replacement will be chosen by a selection committee of Gulati, U.S. Soccer secretary general Dan Flynn and former U.S. forward Mia Hamm. Among the top early candidates are Sweden's Pia Sundhage, the 2003 WUSA Coach of the Year; Santa Clara coach Jerry Smith, husband of former U.S. defender Brandi Chastain; and Tony DiCicco, who guided the U.S. to the 1996 Olympic gold medal and the 1999 WWC title. Full Story Back to Top

10-22-07 Brandi Listed in Key Dates in the History of Brassieres (News & Observer - Raleigh, NC) 1999 -- At the Women's World Cup in Pasadena, Calif., after scoring the fifth penalty kick to give the U.S. team the win over China in the finals, Brandi Chastain celebrates by peeling off her jersey and falling to her knees in a sports bra. The image makes the covers of Time, Newsweek and Sports Illustrated. Full Story Back to Top

10-15-07 Brandi Runs in Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon (NBC11.com - San Jose, CA) Music filled the air in downtown San Jose Sunday morning as more than 11,000 runners took to the streets to race the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon but the day belonged to two Kenyans. Kenyans McDonald Ondara, 23, and Magdalene Makunzi, 24, won the men's and women's competition but the event was all smiles for many others...San Jose native Brandi Chastain also participated in the event. "This race was great because it was home," Chastain said. "The last race I ran was 14 years ago, and I'm proud and excited to say that I ran faster today than I did then." Full Story Back to Top

09-29-07 HBO Sports Releases Dare to Dream DVD (LAist - Los Angeles, CA) Dare to Dream (77 mins, unrated), a documentary just released on DVD by HBO sports...follows the 91ers, specifically the "fab five" of Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly, Brandi Chastain, and Joy Fawcett, from the team's inception in the early 90s to a major farewell match in 2005. The only thing cheesier than the haircuts may be the documentary's title and soundtrack. Outside of that, the film is a score. It's easy to say that this film about the US women's soccer team is a good watch for young girls with aspirations to play at a higher level. It is. It's harder to say that this film is a good watch for all soccer fans, Olympics fans, and sports purists. But it is. Full Story Back to Top

09-28-07 Brandi Chastain and Julie Foudy Criticize Greg Ryan's Coaching (Yahoo! Sports) After watching the U.S. women's soccer team suffer the worst defeat in its illustrious history, two of the retired stars who helped build it into the world's predominant soccer power expressed dismay at the program's direction and blasted the leadership of coach Greg Ryan. For Brandi Chastain and Julie Foudy, Brazil's 4-0 thrashing of the U.S. in the World Cup semifinals Thursday was a sign that the American program has deteriorated in the three years since they appeared in their final international competition – a gold-medal effort at the 2004 Athens Olympics...Chastain and Foudy each told Yahoo! Sports that Ryan had failed his players on tactical and motivational levels and said they expected him to lose his job as a result. Full Story Back to Top

09-27-07 Brandi Responds to Embarrassing World Cup Performance (San Jose Mercury News - CA) For the past 11 years, we've come to expect a lot of our women's national soccer team. Victories, grit, excitement and - at the very least - competence. We didn't get that Thursday in the Women's World Cup semifinal game. We especially didn't get much competence from Coach Greg Ryan. "If he's back, U.S. Soccer should be ashamed and embarrassed," said former national team star Brandi Chastain. "They need to make a change. If they don't do something then the whole organization is culpable for this outcome." Chastain was cut from the team by Ryan two years ago. But this wasn't sour grapes. This was Chastain speaking out of what she called "emotional exhaustion" over what she witnessed Thursday. The Americans were embarrassed by Brazil 4-0, in China, eliminated once again in the World Cup semifinal round. But this was the most lopsided, humbling loss that the U.S. team has ever suffered in a significant game...Despite a 21-1 record against Brazil, the Americans might have lost Thursday no matter what. But Ryan dug his team a hole and then it got buried. Ryan's tactics have been under fire awhile. He coaches in a fragmented, mechanical style. His players lack originality. He has alienated many former stars - players such as Chastain - who are ambassadors for the game and an incredible resource for the team...Ryan lost more than a game Thursday. He lost his team. And, on the first day that most Americans had ever heard his name, he lost their faith. Full Story Back to Top

09-10-07 Brandi Uses Her Name Recognition to Do Good Things (SportingNews.com) The name recognition provides Chastain with a platform to help others. Chastain runs a nonprofit organization in the San Jose area, where she still lives, that teaches the positive lessons of sports to girls in at-risk communities. Athletes from local colleges and high schools volunteer to share the message of "how they can take charge of their health and wellness." "There's a power and self esteem that sports gives to young women that can't be found anywhere else," Chastain said. She is also a spokeswoman for the Tailwind line -- low-price, high-tech athletic shoes made by a Nike subsidiary and sold at Payless. Chastain said she likes the concept of the sneakers as a reasonable option for families with children and young women out on their own for the first time. "I have a huge passion for reaching out to people who may seem like they don't fit into a group," she said. Chastain is promoting the DVD release of "Dare to Dream," HBO's documentary about the national team, whose popularity is reflected in the effort put into making the film. Full Story Back to Top

08-29-07 Brandi to Sign Autographs and Teach in Skills Clinic (Marin Independent-Journal - San Rafael, CA) Former U.S. national soccer team star Brandi Chastain will be a featured guest at the fifth annual Mill Valley SoccerFest during Monday's Labor Day festivities. Chastain will sign autographs and greet fans beginning at 1 p.m...After signing autographs, Chastain will join the USF men's and women's soccer teams for a skills clinic. Full Story Back to Top

08-24-07 Brandi Chastain to Play in 2007 Hall of Fame Game (Oneonta Daily Star - Oneonta, NY) A trio of former United States national women’s soccer standouts became a foursome Thursday. National Soccer Hall of Fame spokesman Jack Huckel said 1999 U.S. World Cup star Brandi Chastain expects to play in the 2007 Hall of Fame Game. The women’s exhibition between the Washington Freedom and Connecticut Reds is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at the Soccer Hall’s At-A-Glance Field...Chastain, who played for the WUSA’s San Jose CyberRays from 2001-2003, will join Hamm, Foudy and 2006 inductee Carla Overbeck - another member of the 1991 U.S. women’s team - on the field Sunday. Full Story Back to Top

08-23-07 Brandi Chastain Winning Soccer Ball Exhibited at Museum (Hall Of Fame Magazine - New Bedford, MA) The National Soccer Hall of Fame will officially unveil the new “Celebrating Women in Soccer” display on Saturday evening at the President’s Reception and Dinner...The memorabilia includes the jersey worn by Stacey Enos in the first match won by the U.S. Women’s National Team, the Olympic warm-up jacket of Hall of Famer Michelle Akers, the ball that Brandi Chastain struck to win the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the penalty shoot-out, and the Washington Freedom jersey of Hall of Famer Mia Hamm. Full Story Back to Top

08-10-07 Brandi Talks to Chicago Fans (Chicagoist - Chicago, IL) Chicagoist sat down with former national team representative and two-time World Cup Champion Brandi Chastain to talk soccer...a Nigerian team (#24) that Chastain feels is dangerous because it "is very deceptive and unpredictable." Brandi didn't seem too concerned about the tough bracket, saying, "It is not a weak bracket, but to win a tournament like the World Cup you have to play the best teams anyway. It's exhausting and empowering at the same time to play those teams early on because you know where you are, you know what you need to do going forward, and you are going to need to use your roster."...Chicagoist asked Chastain why Chicagoans should find their way down to Soldier Field for Sunday's match. She commented that with most sports, "the average fan can't get close enough to the people they admire," but regarding soccer, "when you come to the stadium you might get a high five, may get an autograph, you can go to the practices since it is not closed off to the public. These players don't fancy themselves as different from the people that come to watch...Chastain freely admits her life revolves around sport and specifically soccer. She is a co-founder of the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative an organization that creates avenues for strong, talented and accomplished women athletes and coaches to inspire girls, women and families with their leadership skills and community service. Brandi has also been a sideline reporter/soccer analyst for ABC/ESPN. Although she is active off the field, she was visibly excited about the prospects of returning to the pitch to play in the new WUSA, which is expected to return to action in 2008. Full Story Back to Top

07-15-07 Resurrected WUSA Coming Back in 2008 (Connecticut Post - Bridgeport, CT) After a five-year absence, the WUSA is coming back. Scheduled to return in April of 2008, the WUSA will have seven teams — Dallas, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Chicago, New Jersey, Boston and Washington D.C. Each team will play 21 games, and the playoffs will be the final weekend in August. What makes Cummings feel this time around will be different? "The business plan is based upon the hard numbers between 2001 and 2003, whereas the launch in 2001 was based on hoped-for numbers," Cummings said this week while watching one of his former Boston Breakers, Wilton's Kristine Lilly, practice with the U.S. national team at the Farmington Sports Center. "So the revenue numbers now are something that we can look to as being consistent from year to year. On the expense side, we've taken a good look at the expenses and adjusted them to match the proposed revenues...When the WUSA started in 2001, it had the backing of many of the top women's players from the national team. They included Mia Hamm, who played with the Washington Freedom; Brandi Chastain, who played with the San Jose CyberRays; Julie Foudy and Shannon McMillan, who played with the San Diego Spirit; Tiffeny Milbrett, who played with the New York Power; Carla Overbeck, who played with the Carolina Courage; and Briana Scurry, who played with the Atlanta Beat. And, of course, Lilly. Full Story Back to Top

07-14-07 Brandi Plays Golf to Bring Attention to Lake Tahoe Burn Area (San Francisco Chronicle - CA) With tourism suffering after the catastrophic fire on the southern edge of Lake Tahoe, local officials are hoping a radio spot and a celebrity golf tournament played near the shore will convince visitors to return. Business is off as much as 30 percent in South Lake Tahoe because of last month's Angora fire, which destroyed more than 250 homes, although lakeside resorts were untouched...This weekend, the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament will be broadcast nationally. It should draw attention to the Tahoe Basin by showing sweeping views of the lake and the Sierra Nevada. Former NBA star Charles Barkley, actor Don Cheadle and soccer star Brandi Chastain are among those scheduled to play. Full Story Back to Top

07-10-07 Brandi to Play Golf Tournament (Tahoe Daily Tribune - South Lake Tahoe, CA) The tournament, which starts this week and ends Sunday at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course, features some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, including actor Kevin Costner playing for the first time in the LTVA Celeb/Am Tournament today, and Tour de France cycling great Lance Armstrong expected to appear on Thursday. Basketball stars Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley will join soccer sensation Brandi Chastain and Seinfeld actor John O'Hurley. Full Story Back to Top

06-27-07 Brandi Chastain Reflects on Title IX (San Jose Mercury News - CA) Title IX, the 1972 federal law that ordered educational institutions to provide equal academic and athletic opportunities for male and female students, or lose their public funding...By 1979, when Olympic and World Cup soccer champ Brandi Chastain was 11, attitudes about girls in sports had changed drastically. Chastain says she received equal respect throughout her soccer career at Archbishop Mitty High School, Berkeley and then Santa Clara. Both universities also offered her athletic scholarships...In 1993, two years after Chastain graduated from Santa Clara, the school would discontinue its football program, citing its prohibitive expense. Many in the valley's football community, however, blamed Title IX..."Each institution has to deal with its budgets in a way that adheres to Title IX but doesn't harm men's sports," adds Chastain. Full Story Back to Top

06-25-07 Brandi and Chad Chastain Hold Soccer Camp (Nevada Appeal - Carson City, NV) Chastain, along with her brother, Chad Chastain, an accomplished player and coach in his own right, are giving young soccer players in Carson City the chance that Brandi had as they are conducting their own soccer camp at Edmonds Park this week. The camp began on Monday and is continuing Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-noon each day. About 80 boys and girls are participating in the camp. Chastain said that's an excellent number considering that she and her brother put together the camp in the last two months. She also noted families make summer plans well in advance, so she's happy with the high number of participants considering the short notice. Last week, Chastain conducted a camp in Reno and said she was pleased with how it turned out. "It was outstanding," she said...Chastain said it's becoming more difficult to play competitively with her business interests and her family. But she said she'll keep playing competitively "until someone doesn't choose me for their league." She's still holding out hope she can rejoin the U.S. national team and even play in the 2008 Olympics, although she admitted "that's a far-fetched idea. It's not likely or probable. You never say no." She wouldn't even rule out the 2012 Olympics. Full Story Back to Top

06-15-07 HealthSport Produces New Flavor for Brandi Chastain (Primenewswire (press release) - Los Angeles, CA) HealthSport, Inc. (OTCBB:HSPO), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Enlyten(tm), Inc., announces today the release of its second Enlyten SportStrip(tm) flavor, Vanilla-Berry. The new Vanilla-Berry flavor will provide serious athletes with another great tasting method for rehydrating before, during and after strenuous exercise...Responding to one such request by US women's soccer champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Brandi Chastain, Enlyten has developed its Vanilla-Berry flavor to complement its flagship Orange flavor..."When I am on the soccer field, I don't want to be worried about de-hydration, which is an ever-present obstacle in a high intensity sport like soccer," said Brandi Chastain. "We all worry about it, especially when we are playing on a hot day, but the Enlyten SportStrips have totally changed my outlook on hydration because it really wards off cramping and fatigue. They are a staple of my training and game regimen now, but I wanted a new flavor. A short time later, Enlyten sent me some Vanilla-Berry samples. Not only do I love the effect, but I love the flavor." Full Story Back to Top

06-02-07 Brandi Chastain Helps Inaugurate the Redding Soccer Park (Record-Searchlight (subscription) - Redding, CA) When the ceremonies and speeches were over, Brandi Chastain did what she does best. She played soccer...Chastain wowed the crowd, first with her words, then with her deeds...The $10 million soccer park is the result of years of planning and dreaming. Built by the city and run by the not-for-profit Redding Soccer Association, the complex features four all-weather turf fields surrounded by berms for the ultimate fan viewing. A full-service restaurant and open layout promise to make the park a regional tournament destination. Full Story Back to Top

04-21-07 Brandi Chastain Critical to BAWSI Success (San Jose Mercury News - San Jose, CA) When the soccer league foundered on the eve of the 2003 World Cup, its supporters were left drained. One was Marlene Bjornsrud, the former general manager of the San Jose CyberRays, who was exhausted and demoralized after dedicating her professional life to women in sports. "I felt like I needed to leave it to the next generation," Bjornsrud said. That feeling didn't last long. With encouragement from Chastain and Julie Foudy...Bjornsrud was re-energized...They came up with the name Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative, creating an acronym that Bjornsrud initially balked at, one that's often used to describe assertive women. But Chastain - considered a pushy woman herself by the U.S. Soccer Federation - embraced it, saying, "Let's get our bossy selves out there and change the world."...The most unusual funds have been raised by Chastain, who played Texas hold 'em in a poker tournament at Michael Jordan's celebrity golf tournament in the Bahamas last January. After winning her table - one that included star athletes Charles Barkley, Lawrence Taylor and Julius Irving - Chastain moved to Jordan's table. She beat the basketball superstar with a pair of threes and learned she had won $20,000 for her favorite charity. "I was thrilled," said Chastain, who played at Archbishop Mitty High and Santa Clara. "It meant an extra 500 girls get to participate in BAWSI." Chastain's enthusiastic presence has been crucial to BAWSI. Full Story Back to Top

04-17-07 Brandi Chastain Becomes Spokesperson for Enlyten SportStrips (Web Services Journal - Montvale, NJ) HealthSport, Inc. (OTCBB: HSPO) ("HSPO") announces today that it reached an agreement with U.S. women's professional soccer player, Brandi Chastain, to become a spokesperson for Enlyten SportStrips. HealthSport, Inc., a publicly traded company on the bulletin board market under the ticker symbol HSPO, is focused on the development, manufacturing and marketing of nutritional supplements in a one-of-a-kind edible film strip delivery system. "I see Enlyten SportStrips to be a real benefit to athletes at any level, especially in soccer, where a high level of endurance and stamina is required," Chastain said. "Enlyten SportStrips allow the player to maintain an adequate level of electrolytes and the ability to hydrate with only water when you need it. That means less fluid and no sugar. It definitely makes a difference; there isn't anything better for a player on the move, and I am proud to be a member of the Enlyten team." Full Story Back to Top

04-10-07 Brandi Chastain Participates in Her Third Golf Classic (Woman Poker Player Magazine - New West Minister, BC, Canada) The third annual Ladies First Celebrity Golf Classic - the only Celebrity Charity Golf Tournament to feature an all-female field of celebrities - will take place May 18 to 20 at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, CA. The Classic raises funds for the Women’s Sports Foundation’s GoGirlGo! Initiative. Female celebrities from the worlds of movies, television, music and sports participate...Former US Women’s National Soccer Team player Brandi Chastain, who will be participating in her third Classic, stated, “Annie Duke’s participation in this weekend is an incredible addition. Top women celebrities from all areas come together to raise money for young girls; of course the best female poker player in the world should be there!.” She added, “And, I am looking for some tips to bring back to my regular poker game!” Full Story Back to Top

03-26-07 Brandi Chastain to Deliver Keynote and Lead Workshop (Bowl.com - Greendale, WI) Four days full of key decisions, major announcements and educational sessions focusing on both the business and sporting aspects of bowling are on the horizon when the second annual United States Bowling Congress Convention is held Wednesday through Saturday at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. The events begin Wednesday highlighted by two-time Olympic soccer gold medalist Brandi Chastain giving the keynote address. She later will present one of more than 30 educational workshops to be held Wednesday and Thursday along with exhibits, coaching clinics and a lane inspection workshop. Full Story Back to Top

03-14-07 Brandi Chastain Participates in Free Soccer Clinic in Hawaii (Honolulu Star-Bulletin - Honolulu, HI) The U.S. Women's National Team will visit Hawaii for a soccer skills clinic and other public appearances, according to a news release...Present and former Women's National Team members Natasha Kai, who is a former Kahuku and University of Hawaii standout, along with Heather Mitts, Heather O'Reilly, Brandi Chastain and Lori Lindsey will be there for the free clinic for players ages 6-8. Full Story Back to Top

02-26-07 Brandi Chastain Helps Launch New Fashion-Performance Footwear (Earthtimes.org - USA) World-class soccer stars Brandi Chastain and Hope Solo and world renowned volleyball player Logan Tom today helped launch Tailwind(R), a new fashion-meets-performance footwear and accessories brand, providing women with innovation at a premium value never seen before...Chastain was integrally involved in the brand development and the footwear design. "To see the Tailwind collection come to life has been an extraordinary process. The designers fused fashion and performance, and there is integrity in every detail," Chastain said. "The G-Zone Runners are the real thing." Full Story Back to Top

02-16-07 Brandi Chastain to Appear at Soccer Nation Expo (LAist - Los Angeles, CA) Time for all you soccer moms to gas up the team bus -- errrr, SUV -- and head to the Soccer Nation Expo this Saturday at the LA Convention Center. Over 100 exhibitors will be on hand from 9a-5p along with players from the LA Galaxy and Chivas USA. National Team legend Brandi Chastain will make a special appearance (you remember her bra, trust us), and coaching clinics will be put on by the experts. Full Story Back to Top

02-07-07 Brandi Chastain Works with Fort Wayne Team (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - Fort Wayne, IN) The Fort Wayne Sport Club ’90 Girls travel soccer team recently participated as a clinic demonstration team at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America annual convention in Indianapolis. U.S. National Team star Brandi Chastain worked with the Fort Wayne team in presenting clinics to college, professional and youth travel coaches. Full Story Back to Top

12-01-06? Brandi Chastain Promotes BAWSI (Bay Area BusinessWoman News - Oakland, CA) Bjornsrud teaches the Girls Fitness Teams, an eight-week program where girls receive individual coaching and mentoring by top women athletes. “I am learning as much from these little BAWSI girls as they do from me,” she says of the third through fifth grade girls. Other programs offered include Women Running the Country, Dads and Daughters, and Rollers, all of which are designed for kids in wheelchairs. “We want girls to understand that their health and fitness are in their own hands,” says Brandi Chastain, who is an Olympic and World Cup soccer star and co-founder of BAWSI. “This enables them to experience what it’s like to be part of a team. Boys have always had the opportunity. This provides girls with the same feeling of being powerful.”...“The gifted athletes already understand the empowering aspect of sports,” says Chastain. “That’s preaching to the choir. We want to reach girls who felt that they could not participate in sports and facilitate their involvement.” According to Chastain, mentorship is one of the steps necessary for women to build an athletic community, and women mentor less than men. Full Story Back to Top

11-30-06 Brandi Chastain Appointed to Mayor's Transition Team (San Jose Mercury News - CA) San Jose Mayor-elect Chuck Reed named 67 people to his transition committee Wednesday, asking them to provide him with policy advice before he assumes office in January. Among the familiar names on the committee are Sharks President Greg Jamison, soccer star Brandi Chastain, San Jose State University President Don Kassing, and newly elected city council members Pete Constant and Sam Liccardo. Full Story Back to Top

11-06-06 Brandi Chastain Likes Message of "Her Best Move" (Market Wire (press release) - USA) Summertime Films has announced the studio-direct release of its new film, "Her Best Move," a lively teen dramedy about a high school soccer phenom who must deal with the conflicting interests of parents, boyfriend, school -- and her shot at being the youngest player on the women's national soccer team...Soccer legend Brandi Chastain...appears as herself in a key scene in the film. "I've had a number of offers to appear in soccer-related films, but this one was particularly special to me because of its message," says Brandi Chastain. "I loved the film's emphasis on empowering a young woman to make her own choices about her life, so I jumped at the chance to play a role -- even if it's as myself!" Full Story Back to Top

10-11-06 Brandi Chastain Runs 18 Flights of Stairs in 3 Minutes and 2 Seconds (San Jose Mercury News - CA) Just ask any of the participants in Tuesday's second annual City Hall Stair Challenge. Cheered on by a group of girls from nearby Horace Mann Elementary School, Chastain didn't disappoint, practically flying up the 18 flights of stairs at San Jose City Hall in 3 minutes, 2 seconds. She was just ahead of City Councilman Ken Yeager, who finished in 3:07, despite running in the San Jose Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon on Sunday. Yeager, who started the challenge last year to encourage everyday fitness activity, extended the invitation this year to city employees, and more than 100 people took him up on it. Full Story Back to Top

10-11-06 Brandi Chastain Interviewed for "Her Best Moves" (Contra Costa Times - CA) Chastain is bringing her expertise to the world of film. In the family dramedy "Her Best Move," Chastain plays assistant soccer coach to Sara, a young, competitive player who's trying to juggle it all. Chastain also brought her unique moves to the film as a soccer choreographer. The movie was filmed in the Bay Area, including Marin and Berkeley. It's available online at www.herbestmove.com. We sat down with Chastain at the film's San Francisco premiere to talk about success and life after The Cup. Full Story Back to Top

9-12-06 Brandi Chastain to be Keynote Speaker at Convention (Bowl.com - Greendale, WI) Brandi Chastain, one of the most recognizable figures in women's sports, will spend a day meeting with 2007 USBC Convention attendees at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. Chastain, a two-time Olympic women's soccer gold medalist, will help kick off the convention the afternoon of Wednesday, March 28, with the keynote address of the USBC Annual Meeting. This will come after signing autographs in the USBC booth and before conducting a youth workshop on a topic to be announced later...Last year, she competed with other noted athletes such as Dwyane Wade and Terrell Owens in the "Bowling Night" series on ESPN... As many as 3,000 people are expected to attend the 2007 USBC Convention which runs March 28-31. In addition to conducting the business of bowling, there will be many exciting educational and social activities available. Full Story Back to Top

8-29-06 DiCicco Recalls Brandi Chastain's Most Vivid World Cup Memory (Oneonta Daily Star - Oneonta, NY) DiCicco said defender Overbeck was widely respected by teammates and opponents alike. He relayed a story about teammate Brandi Chastain that put eight-year U.S. captain Overbeck’s contributions into perspective. During a camp after the Americans’ dramatic 1999 World Cup championship victory over China, in which Chastain made the decisive the penalty kick, someone asked Chastain about her most vivid memory. DiCicco said he thought the penalty kick was the obvious choice. Chastain’s reaction to that kick, pulling off her game jersey to reveal an undergarment, was captured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Instead, DiCicco said Chastain told the person her best and worst moments came 20 seconds apart in the quarterfinals of that tournament. Chastain scored an own goal that put the U.S. down to Germany 5 minutes into play. "The worst was when I scored an own goal," DiCicco recalled Chastain saying. "Then my captain, Carla Overbeck, came running up to me and looked in my eyes and said, ’Brandi, we have 85 minutes and we’ll get the goal back, but we need you to play.’" Full Story Back to Top

8-22-06 Winning Without Injured Brandi Chastain Helped Broncos Believe in Themselves and Go to the Top (San Jose Mercury News - CA) Of all the victories Jerry Smith has amassed as the women's soccer coach at Santa Clara, one stands above the rest...the breakthrough came the day he benched his best player -- the day he benched Brandi Chastain. On Sept. 13, 1989, Chastain did not play against highly ranked Cal because the artificial turf in Berkeley posed a danger to her surgically repaired knee. Chastain was not happy -- she had started her career at Cal and was eager for a shot at her former team -- but Smith held his ground. The upstart Broncos rallied around their injured star and stunned the Bears 3-2.``That was the first time the players started to believe,''...Fueled by the Chastain-less victory in Berkeley in September 1989, the Broncos became the first women's team in any sport at the school to reach the NCAA tournament...``Jerry is a very non-emotional decision-maker,'' said Chastain, who married Smith in 1996. ``He bases his decisions on facts and research. And women, whether they want to admit it or not, they're emotional. He did not deal with that component very well.'' Full Story Back to Top

8-15-06 Brandi Chastain Not Surprised at Ghana's World Cup Success (Soccer365 - Birmingham, Alabama) In the recent World Cup, the team from a country that had shown promise for years finally emerged on the sporting stage to take up the flag of a new contender...It was Ghana, the small West African nation. The dawning of the country’s senior soccer program on the world stage had been anticipated by knowledgeable observers for some time. “Ghana’s youth, their boys national team, have always been good on the youth level,” said former women’s national team star Brandi Chastain...“They just never had the opportunity, maybe through time and money, to get to the World Cup,” explained Chastain. “Now they have. That to me is hopeful.”...“Everybody is getting better and everybody has an opportunity,” observed Chastain. “We’re all fighting for the same thing, which is to be at the top of the podium at the end of the day.” Full Story Back to Top

7-22-06 Did Brandi Chastain's Forced Retirement and Other Errors Cause Women's Soccer to Plummet? (San Diego Union Tribune) Domestic attendance has plummeted from an average of 33,099 per match in 1999 to 14,217 in 2004 to 4,153 last year. TV ratings have done the same, from the record 11.4 for the '99 final to 1.17 for the 2003 World Cup semifinals to just fractions of a ratings point for games now...The flip side of the argument is that new coach Greg Ryan cut Brandi Chastain when she refused to retire and nudged out several other popular veterans, including San Pasqual High alum Shannon MacMillan. And the federation scheduled only five domestic matches last year after the team played 43 over the previous three years. The 3-2 win against Sweden last week was the first U.S. date of 2006. Full Story Back to Top

7-16-06? Nicole Kinsey Wins Training with Her Role Model Brandi Chastain (Miami Herald - FL) As a fourth-grader, Nicole Kinsey had to select a role model and write a report for her school's People Fair. Her pick: soccer champion Brandi Chastain. Nicole, 10, said she never thought she would meet her idol in person. But an envelope that recently arrived in the mail proves that dreams can come true. The letter inside informed Nicole that she was one of 200 winners of a drawing to meet Chastain at a 90-minute soccer clinic this fall in Miami. ''I was jumping up and down screaming,'' said Nicole, who will be entering fifth grade next month at Silver Palms Elementary School in Pembroke Pines...Nicole said she admires Chastain because of her skills on and off the field. ''She's a very good soccer player, and she does a lot for her community,'' Nicole said. Full Story Back to Top

7-12-06 Brandi Chastain Competes at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course Celebrity Tournament for First Time (abc7news.com - San Francisco, CA) From Jerry Rice to Mario Lemieux, Ivan Lendl to Mike Schmidt, some of the greatest athletes in the history of their respective sports come to Lake Tahoe every summer to be humbled on a golf course...A field of 80 past and present stars of sports, stage and screen tee it up Friday in the opening round of the 17th annual celebrity tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. The 54-hole tournament with a $500,000 purse airs Friday on The Golf Channel and Saturday and Sunday on NBC...Yankees outfielder Paul O'Neill and 1996 soccer gold medalist Brandi Chastain are among those competing for the first time. Full Story Back to Top

7-10-06 Brandi Chastain Named to American Youth Soccer Organization Hall of Fame (The Eureka Reporter - Eureka, CA) For whatever reason, Humboldt County has not embraced the American Youth Soccer Organization, which recently named three of its graduates to its Hall of Fame - Joy Fawcett, Brandi Chastain and Julie Foudy. Eureka resident Paul Harris, a longtime referee, historian and author, was among eight individuals named to AYSO’s first Hall of Fame class in 1996. Full Story Back to Top

6-15-06 Brandi Chastain Becomes a Mother (Celebrity Baby Blog - Forest Hills, NY) U.S. soccer star Brandi Chastain, 37, welcomed her first child on Thursday, June 8th. Son Jaden Chastain Smith arrived two days before his due date, weighing in at 7 lbs, 10 oz and was 22 inches long when he was born at 10:34 pm...Brandi and her husband Jerry Smith say they didn't plan the pregnancy, although they had been considering a child for quite a while. Full Story Back to Top

6-14-06 Jaden Chastain Smith Born to Brandi Chastain and Husband (San Jose Mercury News - CA) Jaden Chastain Smith has impeccable timing. The son of Brandi Chastain and Jerry Smith, the U.S. women's soccer hero and the Santa Clara University women's coach, was born at 10:34 p.m. Thursday, checking in at 22 inches and 7 pounds, 10 ounces. That was less than 12 hours before the World Cup kicked off. And it gave Dad and son Cameron a week's cushion before they head to the World Cup tomorrow. Full Story Back to Top

5-31-06 Brandi Chastain Encourages Girls' Health Through Sports Program (San Jose Mercury News - CA) One in six American girls is overweight or obese, increasing the risk of breast cancer, heart disease and other health problems. Girls who are physically active are less likely to smoke, abuse alcohol or drugs, or have eating disorders...In 2004, the Women's Sports Foundation launched GoGirlGo! to encourage girls to get healthy through sports. Bjornsrud, who was general manager of the now-defunct San Jose pro soccer team the CyberRays, got together with soccer legend Brandi Chastain and adopted the program last year. Now there are nearly 500 girls participating at eight Bay Area schools, and 50 volunteer coaches from local universities. Having women athletes serve as role models is an important part of the local program. Full Story Back to Top

5-14-06 Brandi Chastain Baby Due June 10 (San Jose Mercury News - CA) The most famous female abs in the history of sports are currently disguised. ``I know they're in there somewhere,'' joked Brandi Chastain, poking at her belly. Those abdominals -- revealed to the world when Chastain made the winning penalty kick in the 1999 Women's World Cup final and stripped off her jersey -- are sharing space. Chastain, 37, is eight months pregnant with her first child...due June 10. Full Story Back to Top

5-07-06 Baby News from Brandi Chastain (San Francisco Chronicle - CA) Almost immediately after her doctor confirmed she was pregnant with her first child, a baby that would be due on June 10, Brandi Chastain had one thought: World Cup...Chastain, 37, will be at home as World Cup matches begin June 9, with the United States playing its first match the next day. On the chance the baby hasn't arrived yet, she's already asked the pertinent question. "At my childbirth class, I asked if the hospital gets ESPN or ESPN2,'' Chastain said. "If they don't, I might need to go to another hospital. Really."...Chastain kept her news to herself until she could tell her former teammates in person. She was with Hamm, Foudy, Fawcett and Kristine Lilly in New York last fall, and the five of them were walking down Fifth Avenue to dinner when the subject came up...She is heavily involved in the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative, which she co-founded with Foudy and former San Jose CyberRays general manager Marlene Bjornsrud, speaking to groups of young girls as part of BAWSI's "Go Girl, Go" program. She has worked the last two seasons as a sideline reporter at Major League Soccer games for ESPN. She covered her last games last weekend and now takes a break, likely until July. Full Story Back to Top

4-27-06 Brandi Chastain Speaks at Nike's National Joga Bonito Field and Soccer Equipment Donation Kick-off (Newswire (press release) - New York, NY) To kick off Nike's national announcement of the Joga Bonito fields and soccer equipment donation today, U.S. soccer stars Landon Donovan and Brandi Chastain will visit kids at the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation & Parks' Glassell Park for the dedication of the new soccer field. The Joga Bonito field will be used primarily by the local Anahuak League and its 1,500 kids...Chastain, a member of the 1999 Women's World Cup team, a gold medalist for the U.S. Women's National Team and pregnant with her first child..."I am constantly impressed with Nike's continual effort to promote and grow the world's greatest sport, from the bottom to the top. Not only have they continued to support national teams around the world, they have begun the Joga Bonita campaign to refocus everyone on the most fundamental aspects of sport: fun, heart, joy, passion and sportsmanship. About to become a mother for the first time, it is Nike's effort to drive home these points that makes me realize how important soccer, and sports in general, are to the development of young people." Full Story Back to Top

4-26-06 Brandi Chastain Dedicates New Nike Soccer Field (Yahoo! News (press release) - USA) Nike is announcing a commitment valued at $1 million to fuel U.S. soccer in 15 communities throughout the U.S. Nike will donate three Joga Bonito soccer fields in Los Angeles, three fields in New York and four fields in Chicago as well as provide soccer equipment for 12 additional cities...To kick off Nike's national announcement of the Joga Bonito fields and soccer equipment donation today, U.S. soccer stars Landon Donovan and Brandi Chastain will visit kids at the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation & Parks' Glassell Park for the dedication of the new soccer field. Full Story Back to Top

3-21-06 Brandi Chastain Commits to Ladies First Celebrity Golf Classic (North County Times - Escondido, CA) The Ladies First Celebrity Golf Classic, a fund-raiser to benefit the Women's Sports Foundation, is set for April 21-23 at Rancho Bernardo Inn. Early commitments include former U.S. women's national soccer team members Brandi Chastain and Julie Foudy, and Lisa Fernandez, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in softball. Visit www.ladiesfirstgolf.org for more information or call Rick Schloss at (619) 682-3407. Full Story Back to Top

2-17-06 Brandi Chastain Host Free Soccer Clinic and Speaks at Banquet (The Gateway - Omaha, NE) Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Brandi Chastain and the national championship-winning UNO soccer team will host a free soccer clinic on Tuesday, March 7 at the Sapp Fieldhouse. The clinic kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with the UNO/USA Soccer Experience, followed by the clinic...In addition to co-hosting the clinic, Chastain will also speak at the UNO Women's Walk kickoff luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on March 8. Full Story Back to Top

2-03-06 Brandi Chastain Featured Speaker at Diet Pepsi/UNO Women's Walk Kick-off Luncheon (The Gateway - Omaha, NE) The UNO Women's Walk has become one of the largest and oldest events in the nation for women's athletics, and this year UNO is honored to have Brandi Chastain as the featured speaker at the Diet Pepsi/UNO Women's Walk kick-off luncheon. World Cup and Olympic soccer star, Chastain is most famous for her winning penalty kick in the 1999 Soccer World Cup Finals, which put a new face on the world of women's soccer. In 1996, she played every minute of all five matches, to help the U.S. team win the gold-medal in the Centennial Olympic Games. She was also a member of the gold-medal West Team in the 1993 U.S. Olympic Festival and was on the U.S. Women's National team that won the first FIFA Women's World Cup in 1991 in China. The 1990 All-American led the Santa Clara Broncos to two NCAA Final Four appearances back in her college days. Chastain is currently an assistant coach at Santa Clara University, where her husband, Jerry Smith, is the head coach. Full Story Back to Top

1-31-06 Brandi Chastain Featured Speaker at Diet Pepsi/UNO Women's Walk Kick-Off (UNO Mavericks - Omaha, NE) World Cup and Olympic soccer star Brandi Chastain will be the featured speaker at the Diet Pepsi/UNO Women's Walk Kick-Off Luncheon March 8...Currently, Chastain is an assistant coach at Santa Clara University, where her husband, Jerry Smith, is the head coach. She was a 1990 All-American at Santa Clara and helped lead the Broncos to two final four appearances. The event will kick-off the 21st annual walk, which will be held on Saturday, April 22 on the UNO campus. The walk is the largest and oldest event of its kind in the nation. Proceeds from the walk support the scholarship program for UNO's women athletes. Last year's Walk raised over $300,000, bringing the total for the event to over $2.6 million in 20 years. Full Story Back to Top

12-12-05 Brandi Chastain's BAWSI Celebrates 110th Anniversary (Pac 10 - USA) The Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative, founded by former General Manager of the San Jose CyberRays, Marlene Bjornsrud and international soccer star, Brandi Chastain, is honoring the first-ever intercollegiate women's basketball game that took place on San Francisco's Page Street Armory on April 8, 1896 between Stanford and California. The game, in which the Cardinal pulled off a 2-1 victory, was played in front of a women-only crowd of 700. Full Story Back to Top

12-11-05 Brandi Chastain Advocates a New Stadium for San Jose (San Jose Mercury News - CA) By Brandi Chastain and Gary Fazzino. The San Jose City Council will be making a decision on whether to contribute to the construction of a new downtown stadium. We urge the council to do everything in its power to vote yes on that proposal and secure the future for the San Jose Earthquakes. The situation is urgent. Unless the Earthquakes are sold to local owners, the team will be moved before the end of the year. A local investment group has come forward, but they cannot purchase the team without knowing they will receive cooperation in building a new stadium. Gone will be 30 years of professional soccer history, the keystone of the vast Northern California soccer community, and all the benefits that go with having a major league team with an international reputation for excellence. Full Story Back to Top

12-10-05 HBO Documentary Relives Brandi Chastain's 1999 Winning Penalty Kick (Oregonlive.com) Brandi Chastain, her fists clenched in triumph, her face turned skyward, celebrating the goal she'd just scored to give the U.S. women's soccer team the 1999 World Cup championship...it's the look on her face -- the unrestrained jubilation -- that sticks with us. There's a purity there. A joy that transcends anything money or publicity could buy. This feeling is precisely what "Dare to Dream," HBO's 80-minute documentary about the women who came together to form that championship team, attempts to capture...she and her teammates approached their game with an enthusiasm so pure it's more or less irresistible. Full Story Back to Top

12-09-05 Brandi Chastain Featured in HBO Women's Soccer Team Documentary (toledoblade.com) They came together in the mid-1980s, a bunch of ponytailed teenage soccer players from all over the United States, each hoping desperately to earn a spot on the women's U.S. National Team...The story of what happened...- including two Olympic gold medals and two World Cup championships - is the subject of an exhilarating sports documentary called Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team. The 90-minute program, which premieres at 8 p.m. Sunday on HBO, is filled with fast-moving game footage and interviews with coaches, journalists, and team members, primarily those who played together for almost 18 years and came to be known as the Fab Five: Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, Kristine Lilly, and Joy Fawcett. Full Story Back to Top

12-02-05 Brandi Chastain and Others Wait, But Hillary Clinton Does Not Show for Important Event (The Journal News.com - Westchester, NY) Hillary Clinton's name was on the invitation, billed to introduce the HBO movie "Dare to Dream: The Story of the U.S. Women's Soccer Team" when it debuted on Tuesday. A crowd that included Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Billie Jean King and Nomar Garciaparra waited — only Clinton never made it. The film was delayed half an hour, but the senator, who lives in Chappaqua, was stuck in traffic and missed the date. Full Story Back to Top

11-29-05 Brandi Chastain Featured in HBO U. S. Women's Soccer Documentary (San Jose Mercury News - CA) The film chronicles the nearly 20-year arc of U.S. women's soccer from relative obscurity in the mid-1980s to winning gold last year in Athens. In between, Hamm's talent and tenacity helped raise the profile of women's soccer globally and earned her icon status among young enthusiasts of the sport...The documentary highlights Chastain's penalty kick to clinch the 1999 World Cup before 90,000 fans at the sold-out Rose Bowl, where she joyously took off her jersey and celebrated in her jog bra. That final against China produced the largest television audience (30 million) to watch a women's sporting event...The film, which debuts Dec. 11 on HBO, features players on and off the field. Soccer mom Fawcett had three children during her playing days, and took them on the road and around the world. Full Story Back to Top

11-17-05 Brandi Chastain Attends Premier of U.S. Women's Soccer Team Documentary (San Jose Mercury News - United States) The film, which airs on HBO on Dec. 11, documents a unique moment in time for women's sports...Chastain and Scurry were in attendance Tuesday night at the film's West Coast premiere. The location -- Chastain's alma mater and home turf -- helped turn the event into a celebration of San Jose's own star, who with her dramatic game-winning penalty kick at the 1999 World Cup became the poster girl for the team's strength, accomplishment and sheer joy. Tuesday's audience was close to 400...Chastain and Scurry saw the film for the first time -- ``I didn't cry, but my cheeks hurt from smiling so much,'' Chastain said. And afterward they stayed for a panel discussion. Full Story Back to Top

11-03-05? Brandi Chastain and Mia Hamm Turn to Golf (GolfDigest.com - USA) The two biggest names in women's soccer first played golf together in 1996, as a respite from training. Today the exuberant Olympic gold-medalists play from the middle tees and swing hard; 250-yard drives, accompanied by fist pumps, are not uncommon. Hamm is the better player, scoring in the high 80s, but Chastain isn't far behind. "It's really funny how upset we can get about our golf games," says Chastain. "We're so darn competitive." Adds Hamm: "We expect to be better than we are." Full Story Back to Top

11-02-05 Two Break Brandi Chastain's 15 Consecutive Games with Goals, But Both Stop at 17 Games (GoPSUsports.com - USA) When top player of the year candidates Nittany Lion Tiffany Weimer and Portland Pilot Christine Sinclair began their back-and-forth for the NCAA’s consecutive games with at least one goal record, they were both chasing Brandi Chastain’s 15-year old mark. On Oct. 14, both strikers tied the mark at 15–straight games. The following Sunday, an off-day for Weimer, Sinclair pulled one game ahead. From then on, East Coast power Weimer was tying West Coaster Sinclair only to have the Pilot’s striker pull one game ahead in the streak several hours later. Women’s soccer fans across the nation waited to see who would blink first...On Sunday, Oct. 23, Weimer scored her 83rd career goal to set a new Big Ten record in that category. She also extended her streak to 17-straight matches each with at least one goal, tying Sinclair. Hours later on the West Coast, Sinclair’s streak stopped at 17 straight games when she was held goal-less in No. 2 Portland’s 5-0 win over San Diego. After Weimer was held scoreless at Minnesota that next Friday, the duo ended the battle each holding a share of the NCAA record for consecutive games with at least one goal each. Full Story Back to Top

10-23-05 Weimer Has Chance to Own Brandi Chastain's Broken Record (SoccerTimes - Chevy Chase, MD) Senior striker Christine Sinclair saw her NCAA Division I record streak of scoring a goal in 17 straight games come to an end this afternoon...Hours earlier on the East Coast, Penn State senior forward Tiffany Weimer equaled Sinclair's mark...Weimer...gets a chance to make the NCAA record her own when the Nittany Lions visit Minnesota Friday night. Full Story Back to Top

10-18-02 Brandi Chastain Record Tied, Tied, Then Broken in Three Days (Centre Daily Times - Centre County, PA) Goals in 15 consecutive games matched the NCAA record held by former Santa Clara star Brandi Chastain, but that was short-lived. Also scoring Friday was Portland's Christine Sinclair, giving her a goal in 15 straight contests. Sinclair then scored again Sunday in a 1-1 tie with Pepperdine, to give her the record alone at 16 straight...Weimer also has 81 career goals, one short of Christie Welsh's school and Big Ten record of 82. Full Story Back to Top

10-16-05 Christine Sinclair Breaks Brandi Chastain's Consecutive Record (SoccerTimes - Chevy Chase, MD) Senior striker Christine Sinclair set a new NCAA Division I record by scoring a goal for the 16th consecutive game...Brandi Chastain of Santa Clara held the previous NCAA record, having scored goals in 15 straight games in 1990. Current Penn State senior striker Tiffany Weimer also matched Chastain by scoring in her 15th consecutive game in Friday's 1-0 decision at Ohio State. Full Story Back to Top

10-15-05 Sinclair and Weimer Both Match Brandi Chastain's Record Friday! #2 (Centre Daily Times - Centre County, PA) Tiffany Weimer scored the night's only goal as the top-ranked Penn State women's soccer team stayed perfect on the season with a 1-0 victory over Ohio State on Friday night. Weimer's goal, her 22nd of the season, gave her a score in 15 consecutive games to tie the NCAA mark set by former Santa Clara and U.S. national team star Brandi Chastain. Weimer has company tying the record, with Portland's Christine Sinclair scoring twice in a 3-0 win against Loyola-Marymount to also give the nation's leading scorer a goal in 15 straight games. Portland plays Pepperdine on Sunday to give the 2004 Hermann Trophy winner the first chance to break Chastain's record. Full Story Back to Top

10-14-05 Sinclair and Weimer Both Match Brandi Chastain's Record Friday! #1 (GoPSUsports.com - USA) No. 1 Penn State’s offense, on the strength of the potent kick of Weimer, got on the board early. At the 5:38 mark, Weimer received the pass from fellow senior Natalie Jacobs (Centreville, Va.) and lobbed a shot over Ohio State goalkeeper Staci Sinkway for the 1-0 Penn State lead. The assist was Jacob’s first of the year. The goal gave Weimer a share of Chastain’s record. On the West Coast tonight, No. 2 Portland’s Christine Sinclair also notched her 15th consecutive game with at least one goal to create a three-way tie in the NCAA record books and intensify this year’s M.A.C. Hermann Trophy race that much more. Full Story Back to Top

10-12-05 Chad Chastain Appointed Soccer Coach at Archbishop Mitty High School (San Jose Mercury News) Chad Chastain, brother of Archbishop Mitty and U.S. national-team great Brandi Chastain, has been named girls soccer coach at Mitty. Full Story Back to Top

10-11-05 Sinclair and Weimer Battle to Break Brandi Chastain's 1990 Record (NCAAsports.com - Indianapolis, IN) The two teams boast the nation's top two leading point and goal scorers - Portland's Christine Sinclair and PSU's Tiffany Weimer. Sinclair leads the nation with 4.15 points and 1.85 goals per game, while Weimer follows with 3.14 points and 1.50 goals per game. Both players are riding a 14-game streak with at least one goal scored, and are looking to break the NCAA record held by former Santa Clara standout Brandi Chastain who contributed a goal in 15 consecutive games in 1990. Full Story Back to Top

10-10-05 Sinclair Only One Goal Away from Brandi Chastain's Consecutive Record (kgw.com (subscription) - Portland, OR) The University of Portland Pilots' Christine Sinclair is just one goal shy of a 15-year-old NCAA women's soccer scoring record. That comes after she scored twice against Gonzaga over the weekend in the opening of Portland's West Coast Conference schedule. She has played 14 consecutive games with a goal -- just one shy of the record held since 1990 by Brandi Chastain of Santa Clara, Calif. Full Story Back to Top

10-10-05 Weimer Only One Goal Away from Brandi Chastain's Consecutive Record (Centre Daily Times - Centre County, PA) The goal also extended Weimer's streak to 14 consecutive games with at least one goal, one short of the NCAA record held by former Santa Clara and U.S. national team standout Brandi Chastain. Full Story Back to Top

10-7-05 Tiffany Weimer Only Two Away from Brandi Chastain Record (GoPSUsports.com - USA) Player of the year Tiffany Weimer (North Haven, Conn.) scored two goals, including the gamewinner, to move within three goals of tying 2001 Hermann Trophy winner Christie Welsh’s Big Ten career goals mark. She has now scored in 13 straight games this season, two away from tying Brandi Chastain’s NCAA record for consecutive games with at least one goal. Full Story Back to Top

9-28-05 Tiffany Weimer Chases Brandi Chastain's NCAA Record for Consecutive Goals (GoPSUsports.com - USA) She is once again chasing Brandi Chastain's record for consecutive games with at least one goal. Last year, Weimer strung together 14 contests with at least one goal each, falling one game short of the record. This year, Weimer needs five more goal-scoring efforts to tie Santa Clara alum Chastain's record and six to call the NCAA mark her own. Full Story Back to Top

9-24-05 Brandi Bakes Giant Cake For Husband's 300th Win (San Jose Mercury News - United States) What if her husband, Santa Clara women's soccer coach Jerry Smith, did not win the 300th game of his career that evening? ``I was honestly trying not to jinx anything,'' said Chastain, a former U.S. national team star. ``But you've got to have a little faith.''...In 19 seasons Smith has compiled a 300-75-25 record, elevating the program from a small Jesuit university into one of the country's best. He led the Broncos to a national championship in 2001, and to at least the NCAA tournament quarterfinals in 10 consecutive seasons, the longest current streak in the nation...There was a ceremony at midfield after the game. Coonan presented Smith with a commemorative jersey; Chastain brought out her giant cake. Full Story Back to Top

9-19-05 Brandi Chastain 1999 Penalty Kick Voted Third Most Significant Soccer Event (US Soccer.com - Chicago, IL) The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the major charitable arm of soccer in the United States, unveiled the Top Ten U.S. Soccer Events of the Past Decade at the Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Banquet in Washington, D.C. Fans had the opportunity to vote for their Top Ten U.S. Soccer Events online at the Foundation’s website (ussoccerfoundation.org) from June 1st through July 15th. Full Story Back to Top

8-16-05 Brandi Chastain and U.S. Soccer Federation Experience Friction (Cleveland Plain Dealer - Cleveland, OH) Currently, she is locked in a cold war of sorts with the U.S. Soccer Federation. It started earlier this year, when U.S. women's coach Greg Ryan did not include Chastain in the national team player pool. "He told me I'm too old," Chastain said. "He seems to want to retire me, but I'm not ready...All I ask is to be invited to camp. Put me against the best players, and let's see if I'm good enough. Give me a yes or no. I can sleep on that." Instead, Chastain asked the U.S. Soccer Federation not to run her head shot in the media guide, which was published earlier this month. It is not in the 214-page publication, nor is the famous photo that appears on the cover of her book, showing Chastain on her knees, fists clenched, her jersey in her right hand, celebrating the World Cup goal. "I'm surprised that picture isn't in there," she said. "That's part of history." Full Story

8-1-05 Brandi Misses Penalty Kick (The Republican - Springfield, MA) Chastain did not score the goal last night. She made some outstanding plays, she played 105 of 120 minutes and she was gracious and friendly to the folks - mostly kids - who lined up for her autograph after the game. But she did not make the kick. "Yeah, every penalty kick for me is a bigger deal," said Chastain, whose California Storm lost to FC Indiana on penalty kicks after the game ended in a 4-4 double-overtime tie. "And as we learned tonight, it's not easy. You can't will the ball in. Full Story

7-30-05 Brandi Chastain Assesses Her First Three Months in Journalism (MLS - Major League Soccer - New York City, New York) Chastain assessed the first three months of her broadcast journalism career, comparing it with something she's very familiar with: team sports. "Like anything else, coming on to a new team, you have to pay your dues, you have to feel your way around," she said. "You're going to make some mistakes. You're going to rely on your teammates to give you some advice. And I think every game is getting a little bit better. I'm not free of mistakes, but I'm willing to work to get better, and I'm enjoying it. "Being as efficient and clear and crisp as possible, I think, is the toughest issue for me. I like to paint the picture a little bit, when fewer words are probably what's necessary."...Chastain's goal is to continue to build her knowledge and become more comfortable walking the sidelines. "I've always been a student of the game, so I enjoy the fact that I have a chance to learn something every game. Full Story

7-26-05 Brandi Chastain to Appear at Westfield Cup College Tournament (Akron Beacon Journal - Akron, OH) What has life been like after that famous soccer game for Chastain? Much busier than anyone might think. And Aug. 18, Chastain will participate in the opening ceremonies of the four-day Westfield Cup men's and women's college tournament at the University of Akron...Chastain will be in Ohio doing ESPN2 television commentary for a Columbus Crew game. The San Jose, Calif., resident will detour to Akron for the appearance, which will take place before the 7:30 p.m. women's game between the Akron and Jacksonville State...The Westfield Cup decided to pursue Chastain to highlight the inaugural year of the eight-team preseason tournament which will feature some of the nation's premier soccer universities. The two-time Olympic gold medalist said she wishes that she could stay for the entire tournament because it will showcase some of the nation's most talented players. Full Story

7-25-05 Brandi Chastain Helps Women's Premier Soccer League (North County Times - Escondido, CA) Look no further than the Women's Premier Soccer League, an independent amateur league focused on the development of highly competitive women's soccer teams. It's the highest level of women's amateur soccer in the country. Actually, it's the highest-level league of national women's soccer, period, since the WUSA folded in 2003. The WPSL is also loaded with accomplished players formerly of the U.S. women's national team and WUSA, most notably the California Storm's Brandi Chastain and Shannon MacMillan. This is pretty much the makeup of the league. There is no in between. You're either "climbing the ladder" or "over the hill," but this formula is advantageous for both sides. Full Story

7-13-05 Brandi Chastain Prepares for Celebrity Golf Tournament (Contra Costa Times - CA) Brandi Chastain is not a member of the retired, golfing, idle rich. But Tuesday she played one at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course. Chastain, the newest and most reluctant member of the soccer unemployed, participated in a celebrity-amateur event as a prelude to this weekend's American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament...She showed off a smooth swing, and her trademark relentless good cheer -- signing autographs, posing for pictures, encouraging her playing partners, reveling in the day. "My grandfather used to take me to the driving range," she said after teeing off on the 12th hole. "He'd take me down to Pebble Beach to watch the tournament there. We'd sit at the 18th green at Pebble watching the golfers come through and eating strawberry shortcake." Chastain didn't take up the game until her mid- to late-20s, but she was always a fan. Now she's an ever bigger fan. Full Story

6-29-05? Brandi Chastain Live Radio Show Interview (U.S. National Soccer Players - Washington, DC) Here are some of Brandi's selected comments from the show. You can hear everything they discussed by listening to the full interview where she talked about what it is like to play for the Sacramento Storm and how more women can get involved at the youth level. Simply access our Audio Page (http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/audio/) to listen in or go directly to third segment of the show (http://www.worldtalkradio.com/playlist.asp?SegmentID=16113). Full Story

6-29-05 Brandi Chastain Plays for Sacramento Storm (San Diego Union Tribune - San Diego, CA) Feel sorry for the San Diego Sealions, the local entry in the Women's Premier Soccer League. The Sealions played the Sacramento Storm last Sunday, and they get the Storm again in a Fourth of July match at 1 p.m. at Hoover High. And the Storm has Brandi Chastain...For now, Chastain's only team is the Sacramento Storm. While the national team was in Virginia Beach playing Canada on Sunday, Chastain was on a high school field in a Sacramento suburb playing a team called the Sealions. Chastain, a defender, scored a goal in the 4-0 win and was named the match's offensive MVP. Full Story

6-28-05 Ryan's Judgement Questioned in Brandi Chastain Dismissal (San Jose Mercury News - San Jose, CA) If you expected that Brandi Chastain would be sulking right now, then you misjudged one of America's most optimistic athletes. In the four days following the news that she has been cut from the U.S. national soccer team, Chastain has stood on the steps of San Jose City Hall to make a plea for activism in women's sports, has done sideline reporting for ESPN2 at the Earthquakes-Los Angeles Galaxy game, has conducted an hour-long question-and-answer session with about 100 young soccer players...and has driven to Sacramento to play for the California Storm. Yep, you'd sure hate to have all that energy on the national soccer team. Full Story

6-27-05 Julie Foudy Responds to Brandi Chastain's Dismissal (Las Vegas Sun - Las Vegas, NV) All Chastain got was a pink slip. She was notified prior to Sunday's game against Canada by new coach Greg Ryan that he was going in another direction, one that would not require her participation in training camp anymore...Foudy said...it would have been nice had Chastain been able to bow out on her own terms, as she and Hamm and Fawcett did. "I think she deserved it after what she gave to the sport, the country and how much energy she put into it."...There wasn't so much as a press release on the U.S. Soccer Web site, only a list of those from the player pool who had been invited to training camp for the Canada game. Chastain's name was conspicuously absent. "She could have been allowed to retire gracefully," Foudy said...When she does [go back into the field], Foudy said it will probably be as coach, perhaps even as Ryan's successor with the national team. "That will be the natural evolution for Brandi," Foudy said. "She has a great mind for soccer." Full Story

6-25-05 Michael Silver Disgusted with Dropping of Brandi Chastain (CNN/SI - USA) So let's get this straight: Here once again stands Brandi Chastain, without a jersey, exposed for all the world to see...The unimaginative U.S. Soccer Federation offered Ryan the permanent job, and he seized it. His first significant act was to fly up to San Jose earlier this month, meet with Chastain late at night at a hotel lobby restaurant and inform one of the most important woman athletes in American history that she wouldn't even get the opportunity to try out for his team. It's MY decision, Ryan told Chastain, and I'M not changing it. "I feel like she's earned the right to at least be given a look," says Julie Foudy, the longtime national-team captain who retired last fall. "I think this is a big mistake."...Chastain, a woman who for the past 17 years has devoted a huge proportion of her waking hours to promoting her sport, isn't even allowed the dignity of announcing her retirement from international soccer on her own terms. Instead, her new coach decreed it in a conversation with a reporter. Full Story

6-24-05 Brandi Chastain and Marlene Bjornsrud Form Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative (San Francisco Chronicle - San Francisco, CA) One afternoon, on a hike in the hills near Los Altos, the pair talked of reaching out to young female athletes. They talked about grassroots efforts to shine a spotlight on women's sports, a spotlight that seems to have dimmed in the past few years. And a few weeks after that, they talked about actually making it happen. Thus, BAWSI was born. The nonprofit organization had its coming-out party Thursday in San Jose, 33 years to the day that Title IX was passed in the U.S. Congress. Full Story

6-24-05 Brandi Chastain Does Not Accept Coach's Dropping Her as Final Word (San Francisco Chronicle - San Francisco, CA) Chastain still isn't willing to give up on continuing her career as an international soccer player, despite U.S. coach Greg Ryan's announcement that he does not intend to bring back the 36-year-old defender...I've learned through experience that when somebody says 'It will never happen' or 'I would never do that' or 'I'd never say that,' that it inevitably comes back to bite you," Chastain said. "After the 1991 World Cup, I was dropped from that team and they gave me no hope, but that didn't stop me. Full Story

6-22-05 Brandi Chastain Dropped from National Team (USA Today - USA) The team has a new coach and a host of new faces, but it won't have Brandi Chastain..."I've told her that I don't intend to bring her back into the team, even though she still would love to continue to play," said Greg Ryan..."She's still a very good player, but I am committed to moving in a new direction and developing younger players."..."The conversation was hard for both of us...Brandi was a class act. She disagrees with me, but we were both very honest with each other." Full Story

6-2-05 Brandi Chastain to Attend Anti-Obesity in Children Festival in Chicago (AMonline.com - Fort Atkinson, WI) Women's World Cup Soccer Champion Brandi Chastain will join hundreds of urban-area elementary school children from six Chicago public schools at Douglas Park for the Balanced for Life Chicago Scores Jamboree! and Shout...Sponsored by Balanced for Life, an initiative of the nation’s vending industry to help address skyrocketing childhood obesity rates, the Jamboree! and Shout is a soccer and poetry festival including round-robin style tournament games, arts and crafts, and fun activities for the entire community. Full Story

4-15-05 Brandi Chastain Sets Fashion Trend on Golf Course (Napa Valley Register - Napa, CA) "If you look good, you feel good," says Chastain, whose ensembles on the course include her Payne Stewart look (tucking her socks into her pants), a retro newsboy hat and a pink silk scarf worn as a belt. Chastain defends her fashion freedom on the golf course as much as she defends her team's goal on the soccer field. "It's not too crazy, really, but it's just not typical. It's another way to express myself," adds Chastain, who plans on wearing her new bucket hat from Coach the next time she hits the course. Park and Chastain are setting the trends for a fast-growing market of female golfers who want to look fashionable. Full Story

4-8-05 Brandi Chastain Speaks at Girls Technology Conference (Baltimore Sun) Tomorrow morning, more than 600 middle school girls will converge onto the University of Maryland, Baltimore County campus for Computer Mania Day, designed to increase girls' awareness of information technology and bolster their confidence in tackling IT-related courses...For the past two years, the event has featured a national celebrity to deliver a you-can-do-anything message and raise awareness of IT. This year, the guest is soccer phenom Brandi Chastain. Full Story

3-29-05 Brandi Chastain Joins ABC-ESPN Broadcasting Teams (Houston Chronicle) Brandi Chastain accepted a position to join the ABC and ESPN's broadcasting teams for the upcoming 2005 Major League Soccer season. The 37-year-old Chastain will serve as a sideline reporter and work with on- air talent JP Dellacamera, Rob Stone and Eric Wynalda for most of the 29 scheduled telecasts on ABC and ESPN. "I've been in soccer for 31 years as a fan, as a season ticket holder in the old NASL and MLS," Chastain said. "I have been a player at every possible level and it has always been my dream to bring soccer to everybody in this country. I can't wait for the moment I get to hopefully make a wonderful impression to the viewers." Full Story

3-28-05 Brandi Chastain Jersey Auctioned for Breast Cancer (CollegeSports.com - New York, NY) As part of the First Annual KICKS Against Breast Cancer Soccer Tournament on Saturday, March 16, the University of Miami soccer team will auction off an authentic U.S. National Team jersey signed by Brandi Chastain on the official website of Hurricane athletics, www.hurricanesports.com. Full Story

3-12-05 Brandi Chastain Will Visit Your Computer Daily to Remind You . . . (Fort Worth Star Telegram - Fort Worth, TX) How would you like world soccer champion Brandi Chastain to wake you up each morning -- even if it is only with a reminder to take your Total or Wheaties multivitamin?...At vitaminreminders.com, consumers choose the time of day they wish to get an e-mail video reminder to take their vitamin -- and pick the sports champion they want to deliver the message. Full Story

2-17-05 About the Bra; About the Book; About Brandi Chastain (Santa Cruz Sentinel - Santa Cruz, CA) While the 200-page book offers its share of bra talk, the overriding theme is about her experiences in soccer, from youth teams to the national team. She also shares her thoughts, and those of several guest writers, on the value of youth sports in the development of children. Full Story

2-16-05 Brandi Chastain Helps Promote Coach's Resignation (San Diego Union Tribune - USA) Heinrichs' problems were with her players. Her relationship with the team grew increasingly strained last year, particularly after Heinrichs learned that defender Brandi Chastain had met with U.S. Soccer President Dr. Bob Contiguglia in December 2003 and asked that he fire Heinrichs. Contiguglia refused. Even after the Olympic triumph, veterans on the team acknowledged that they confronted federation officials about their insistence on replacing Heinrichs. Full Story

1-16-05 UK's Sunday Times Lists Brandi Chastain as #3 of Top Ten Women in Football (The Sunday Times - UK) The final of the 1999 women’s World Cup between the United States and China went to penalties. With the score at 4-4 defender Brandi Chastain could settle matters with her spot kick. What she calls “the shot that was heard around the world” sped past goalkeeper Gao Hong and Chastain celebrated in the traditional fashion. “In front of 90,185 spectators and 40m television viewers, I ripped off my shirt,” she said. “As I lifted it off, I lifted all the expectations and pressure of winning. My teammates hit me like a huge wave, crushing me in the greatest hug of my life. I could have stayed there forever.” She didn’t stay there forever, though: before you could say “marketing opportunity”, her first “glamour” photo-shoot hit the newsstands of middle America. Full Story

12-29-04 Brandi Chastain Is a Hit at Orange Classic Girls Soccer Tournament (Sun-Sentinel.com - Fort Lauderdale, FL) U.S. women's soccer team star Brandi Chastain made her first visit to the 8th Annual Orange Classic Girls Soccer Tournament at Pine Island Field in Plantation a memorable one. "Soccer is about building relationships," said Chastain, 36, who answered an array of questions during a 20-minute question-and-answer period with players and parents and coaches ranging from what positions she played in her career to if she ever thought about quitting while she was growing up...Chastain then showed various dribbling skills to an estimated 400 youth players ranging in age from 6 to 19 during a 30-minute clinic, and then stayed for a nearly two hours posing for photos and signing copies of her new book, It's Not About The Bra. Full Story

12-18-04 Brandi Chastain Helps Supply Uniforms Through Wish Book (San Jose Mercury News (subscription) - San Jose, CA) Chastain, of San Jose, and her husband, Santa Clara University soccer coach Jerry Smith, were moved to give by a Wish Book story about the young athletes at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley's Levin Clubhouse. Their inventory of sports uniforms -- purchased five years ago with Wish Book donations and worn by thousands of kids over that time -- had dwindled to about a dozen jerseys and one pair of shorts. Thanks to the donation from Chastain and Smith -- and hundreds of other readers -- the new uniforms have been ordered. Full Story

12-18-04 Brandi Chastain Outlines Rules to Soccer Fun (Washington Times - Washington, DC) Chastain wants young people playing soccer — and their parents — to enjoy the game just as she did growing up in a supportive family in San Jose, Calif. She sums up her philosophy in "Brandi's Rules": •If you can't lose gracefully, don't play the game. •... And if you can't win gracefully, you're not a true winner. •When you mess up, own up. Stop blaming the coach, the ref, your teammates. •Be supportive from the sidelines or put a sock in it. •It's more valuable to assist than to score. (But don't pass up an open net!) •Dress for success: chill on the jewelry, polish your cleats, hike up your socks and, OK, keep your shirt on. Full Story

11-16-04 Brandi Chastain Guest Stars in Jason Alexander's Upcoming "Listen Up" (Redlands Daily Facts - Redlands, CA) Two-time Olympic women's soccer gold medalist Brandi Chastain will guest star as herself in the comedy's Nov. 29 episode. Full Story

10-31-04 Brandi Chastain Officiates at Silicon Valley Marathon (SplitTimes.com - Waccabuc, NY, USA) Honorary event chair and Olympic gold medalist Brandi Chastain gave runners a final countdown and sent them running down the streets of San Jose. ... Full Story

10-17-04 Where is Brandi Chastain's Famous Sports Bra? Her persistence qualifies (Los Angeles Daily News - Los Angeles, CA) >>... Even though the title of Brandi Chastain's new book is called, "It's Not About The Bra," the cover shot is of her in that now-famous pose -- with her jersey off ... Full Story

10-17-01 Brandi Chastain Writes Soccer Book; Answers Questions Chastain book celebrates soccer (Newark Star Ledger - Newark, NJ) >>Brandi Chastain will always be known for her sports bra-baring celebration after scoring the 1999 Women's World Cup-clinching penalty kick for the US Women's ... Full Story

10-14-04 Brandi Chastain to Promote Her New Book on Letterman Brandi Chastain to Make Media Appearances (CollegeSports.com - New York, NY) >>Former Santa Clara University women's soccer stand out Brandi Chastain is set to appear on NBC's "Today" Show and CBS's "The Late Show with David Letterman" on ... Full Story

9-23-04 Brandi Chastain to Discuss Celebration Tour for Media TEN-GAME Farewell Tour for Hamm, Foudy & Fawcett Begins on Sept. ... (Sports Features Communications (press release) - Tampa, FL) >>US Women's National Team legend Brandi Chastain and emerging superstar Heather Mitts, both coming off winning a gold medal in Athens, Greece ... Full Story

9-17-04 Brandi Chastain Still In the Game CHASTAIN staying in game; (USOlympicTeam.com - United States) >>SOUTH BEND -- USA women's soccer star Brandi Chastain has a history of doing unexpected things. So, when most of her team announced ... Full Story

9-6-04 Brandi Chastain Surprise Announcement--No Retirement For Her! (South Bend Tribune - South Bend, IN) >>By MARK BRADFORD. SOUTH BEND -- USA women's soccer star Brandi Chastain has a history of doing unexpected things. So, when most of ... Full Story

8-27-04 Coach Takes Risk to Let Brandi Chastain and Veterans Play Final Game (Indianapolis Star - Indianapolis, IN) >>... Even Kristine Lilly and Brandi Chastain, who might still soldier on in the US national team program, had the souvenirs they came here to get. Full Story

8-26-04 Brandi Chastain and Team Win the Gold Against Tough Brazilian Team! (USA Today) >>ATHENS — At the stroke of midnight, as Thursday turned into Friday, the greatest generation of US female athletes leaped upon the top step of a medal podium ... Full Story

8-23-04 Brandi Chastain Feels Terrific After Game Against Japan (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle - Rochester, NY) >>August 23, 2004) - HERAKLIO, Greece - Brandi Chastain paused for a few seconds, racking her brain for just the right words to capture the emotions she was ... Full Story

8-20-04 Brandi Chastain Starts Against Japan (Soccer365 - USA) ... For the first time in the Olympics, head coach April Heinrichs called on veteran Brandi Chastain to start over Cat Reddick on the defensive side. ... Full Story

8-20-04 Brandi Chastain Finally Plays in Olympic Games (ESPN - USA) >>tournament so far. Brandi Chastain made her first appearance in Greece and had a strong game. (Grigoris Siamidis/Reuters). The cobwebs ... Full Story

8-18-04 Where Is Brandi Chastain? (USA Today - USA) >>THESSALONIKI - Because Brandi Chastain is one of the most recognizable athletes among all US Olympians, her conspicuous absence has led many to wonder ... Full Story

8-17-04 Brandi Chastain Relegated to Bench for Olympics (CNN/SI - USA) >>... team coach. And yet Brandi Chastain is the only US field player who has not seen a second of playing time in these Olympics. On ... Full Story

8-15-04 Brandi Chastain's Great-Aunt Rita Is Number 1 Fan (Appleton Post Crescent - Appleton, WI) >>1 fan of team member Brandi Chastain. ... After the team's hard-fought 2-0 victory, she proudly wore one of Chastain's jerseys to the service. Full Story

7-21-04 Brandi Chastain Reminisces with Soccer Buddies (USA Today - USA By Eileen Blass, USA TODAY) >>"To good friends," Brandi Chastain says, as the others raise their glasses in a toast before dinner last week. ... Full Story

7-15-04 Brandi Chastain Comments on Legacy and Future at Stake (San Jose Mercury News (subscription) - San Jose, CA) >>this is sure to be the final run for athletes who made a profound impact on American sports: Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, Kristine Lilly. ... Full Story

7-2-04 Brandi Chastain Redresses Her Revealing Issue (The Tennessean - Nashville, TN) >>You're talking to Brandi Chastain and it's all about her foot (injured), the weather (rainy), the quality of the US Women's Soccer Team (exceptional) and ... Full Story

7-1-04 Brandi Chastain on Olympic Soccer Team (San Francisco Chronicle - San Francisco, CA) >>Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain and five other gold medalists from the US Olympic team in 1996 were selected Thursday to the squad that will head to the Athens ... Full Story

6-30-04 Brandi Chastain-Olympic Team >>The US roster features a wide age range from 36-year-olds Joy Fawcett and Brandi Chastain to 19-year-old Heather O'Reilly. ... Full Story

Updated
12-14-09

To Articles

Back to Top

Brandi Chastain Interview
With Inside Soccer Radio

Back to Top

|Home|Make US Your Home Page ||Site Map |

Updated12-14-09

To Articles

Back to Top

Brandi Chastain InterviewWith Inside Soccer Radio

Back to Top

Updated
12-14-09

Brandi Chastain Interview
With Inside Soccer Radio