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Brandi Chastain, who scored the most famous goal in U.S. women's soccer history, was one of three people elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Thursday. Chastain will be inducted along with former U.S. teammate Shannon MacMillan and Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber.
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Chastain scored 30 goals in 192 matches from 1988 to 2004 for the women's national team and gained worldwide notoriety for converting the winning penalty kick to win the 1999 World Cup. Chastain tore off her jersey top -- she was wearing a sports bra -- immediately after the kick that earned her covers on Sports Illustrated, Newsweek and Time.
Chastain was also a member of the 1991 World Cup championship team. She also was a two-time Olympic gold medalist (1996, 2004).
"To be inducted into the Hall of Fame and have my name read in the same sentence with our country's best is truly humbling," Chastain said in a statement. "The opportunity to play the game was given to me by my parents; my competitiveness and enthusiasm was fostered by every coach who I was blessed to be taught by, and my passion was shared and heightened by all of my teammates over my career.
"It is not enough to say how grateful I am with words, and therefore, I continue to share the game with anyone and everyone."
MacMillan scored 60 goals in 176 matches between 1993 and 2005 and her goal total currently ranks ninth in U.S. women's history.
She was the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2002 and also was a member of the 1999 winning World Cup squad. MacMillan won the Hermann Trophy in 1995 as the college player of the year at the University of Portland and won an Olympic goal medal in 1996.
"Playing for the USA was always an honor and privilege for me, and that could only be topped by being selected for the Hall of Fame," MacMillan said in a statement. "I am incredibly humbled and honored by this selection. I will forever be grateful to the great game of soccer for all of the life lessons it has taught me along the way, and for all the friendships I built along the way. I want to thank U.S. Soccer and my teammates for all of the support throughout the years."
Garber has been MLS commissioner for the past 17 years and has overseen the growth of the league. He has repeatedly helped league teams build soccer-specific stadiums.
"Thanks to the commitment and hard work of many people, our sport has grown significantly during the last few decades and there is no doubt the United States is a true soccer nation," Garber said in a statement. "It is an honor to be inducted alongside Brandi Chastain and Shannon MacMillan, two iconic figures in U.S. Soccer history who have impacted the sport at so many levels."
