Twenty-five years ago to the day, a sellout crowd of 78,972 fans packed the stands at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey and watched as the U.S. Women’s National Team kicked off the what would become an historic 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup with a 3-0 victory over Denmark.
Mia Hamm, who was already a household name, but whose fame would grow – along with many of her teammates -- in just a few short weeks, opened the scoring for the Americans with a goal in the 17th minute. She later set up Julie Foudy’s goal in the 73rd, doubling the USA’s advantage. Connecticut-native Kristine Lilly rounded out the scoring for the Americans in the 89th minute to open Group A play with a shutout victory.
