Where is the 1999 U.S. Women’s World Cup Team Now?

The 1999 U.S. Women's World Cup champions are one of the most beloved teams of all time.

What are the best teams that have represented the U.S. in international competitions? It’s a short list at the very top. There’s the “Miracle on Ice” team that won gold at the 1980 Winter Olympics. There’s The Dream Team that won gold in men’s basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics with the greatest group of basketball players ever assembled on one roster.

Then there’s the team that changed its sports forever — the 1999 U.S. Women’s National Team that won the Women’s World Cup in a thrilling shootout against China in the final. The ’99ers captured our imaginations that summer and became rock stars.

This is where they’re all at now over 20 years later and what they have been doing for the last few decades.

Mia Hamm, Forward

Mia Hamm is the most well-known women’s soccer player of all time. John T. Greilick / AP Photo

Born: March 17, 1972 (Selma, Alabama)

College: North Carolina

Now: Mia Hamm

U.S. soccer star Mia Hamm and All-Star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra

U.S. soccer star Mia Hamm married MLB star Nomar Garciaparra in 2003. Richard Shotwell / AP Photo

Mia Hamm cemented her status as a global soccer icon with her gutsy performance at the 1999 Women’s World Cup. After the win over China in the final, she collapsed in the locker room.

The four-time NCAA champion, two-time FIFA World Player of the Year and two-time Women’s World Cup champion played 17 years with the USWNT and retired in 2004.

She’s been a co-owner of the Major League Soccer franchise Los Angeles FC since 2014 and has been married to Boston Red Sox shortstop and two-time American League batting champion Nomar Garciaparra since.

Cindy Parlow Cone, Forward

Cindy Parlow Cone won four NCAA titles at North Carolina. Jim Bryant / AP Photo

Born: May 8, 1978 (Memphis, Tennessee)

College: North Carolina

Now: Cindy Parlow Cone

Former USWNT member and U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone is one of the most powerful people in American soccer. Charles Rex Arbogast / AP Photo

Cindy Parlow Cone played in all six games for the U.S. at the 1999 Women’s World Cup and scored two goals on the way to winning the championship.

Parlow Cone was also a three-time NCAA champion at North Carolina and won two Olympic gold medals. She retired in 2006 and was an assistant coach at North Carolina until 2012, then won an NWSL title as the head coach of Portland Thorns FC in 2013.

Parlow Cone has been involved with coaching youth soccer for the last decade and is currently the president of U.S. Soccer.

Tiffeny Milbrett, Forward

Tiffeny Milbrett scored the gold-medal-winning goal in the 1996 Summer Olympics. Susan Ragan / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 23, 1972 (Portland, Oregon)

College: Portland

Now: Tiffeny Milbrett

It would be pretty cool to have Tiffeny Milbrett as your youth soccer coach. tbusoccer / Twitter

Tiffeny Milbrett was a three-time All-American at the University of Portland before her career skyrocketed with the USWNT. She scored the gold medal-winning goal for the U.S. in the 1996 Olympics and led the U.S. in goals during the 1999 Women’s World Cup.

Milbrett, one of just a handful of players with over 100 goals in international competition, played her final soccer match with the Bay Area Breeze in 2011 and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2018.

Milbrett has specialized in individual instruction and coaching youth teams since her retirement.

Danielle Fotopoulos, Forward

Danielle Fotopoulos set scoring records at the University of Florida before joining the USWNT. eckerdwsoccer / Twitter

Born: March 24, 1976 (Camp Hill, Pennsylvania)

College: Florida

Now: Danielle Fotopoulos

Eckerd College coach Danielle Fotopoulos

Danielle Fotopoulos became the women’s soccer coach at Eckerd College in 2010. orlandosports / Twitter

Danielle Fotopoulos became the NCAA career scoring leader at Florida, where she scored the game-winning goal in the 1998 NCAA championship against North Carolina.

After winning a Women’s World Cup with the U.S. in 1999, Fotopolos played professionally until 2005 and won a WUSA championship with the Carolina Courage in 2002.

Fotopolos spent time as an assistant coach at LSU and Florida and has been the head women’s soccer coach at NCAA Division II Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, since 2010.

Lorrie Fair, Midfielder

Lorrie Fair, left, was the youngest player on the 1999 U.S. Women’s World Cup team. Roberto Borea / AP Photo

Born: Aug. 5, 1978 (Los Altos, California)

College: North Carolina

Now: Lorrie Fair

Lorrie Fair was the first American woman to sign with a Premier League team. USWNT / Twitter

Lorrie Fair was a Parade All-American at Los Altos High School before winning three NCAA championships at North Carolina. She was also the youngest member of the 1999 U.S. Women’s World Cup-winning team.

Fair was the first American to sign with a FA Women’s Premier League team when she played for Chelsea in 2008 but a serious knee injury suffered playing there ended her career.

Fair has dedicated a good chunk of her life to giving back to the sport. Most recently, she’s worked with Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron’s Africa Outreach Project to promote soccer in Africa.

Tiffany Roberts, Midfielder

Tiffany Roberts joined the USWNT when she was just 16 years old. Carondelet_HS / Twitter

Born: May 5, 1977 (Petaluma, California)

College: North Carolina

Now: Tiffany Roberts

Tiffany Roberts, right, has been the head coach at UCF since 2013. USEmbassyCairo / Twitter

Tiffany Roberts was a two-time national high school player of the year at Carondelet High School before winning two NCAA championships at North Carolina.

She was only 16 years old when she joined the U.S. Women’s National Team in 1994 and was on the roster for the Women’s World Cup in 1995. She only played two games in the 1999 Women’s World Cup and continued to play professionally until 2005.

Roberts was the head coach at VCU from 2007 to 2012 and has been the head coach at the University of Central Florida since 2013.

Sara Whalen, Midfielder

Sara Whalen, center, was one of the keys to the U.S. winning the 1999 Women’s World Cup. Ed Zurga / AP Photo

Born: April 28, 1976 (Natick, Massachusetts)

College: Connecticut

Now: Sara Whalen

Sara Whalen was inducted into the Long Island Sports Hall of Fame. SoccerLIMag / Twitter

Sara Whalen joined the U.S. Women’s National Team in 1997 following three All-American seasons at UConn, where she was also two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year.

Whalen was one of the keys for the U.S. in the 1999 Women’s World Cup final against China, which ended in a scoreless tie before the U.S. won on penalty kicks.

Whalen’s career came to a premature end with a devastating knee injury in 2002. She tore both her ACL and MCL and almost died from an infection after surgery. Following her injury, Whalen became a psychologist and cognitive behavioral therapist.

Shannon MacMillan, Midfielder/Forward

Shannon MacMillan joined the USWNT in 1995. Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP Photo

Born: Oct. 7, 1974 (Syosett, New York)

College: Portland

Now: Shannon MacMillan

National Soccer Hall of Famer Shannon MacMillan

Shannon MacMillan was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2018. Luca Bruno / AP Photo

Shannon MacMillan was named National Player of the Year at the University of Portland in 1994 and joined the U.S. Women’s National Team in 1995.

MacMillan was one of the “super subs” on the U.S. Women’s World Cup team in 1999 and also won an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. in 1996, when she scored the winning goal in the semifinals and the first goal in the finals.

She retired from soccer in 2006 and became an assistant coach for UCLA. She’s currently an advisor for men’s pro team San Diego Loyal FC.

Michelle Akers, Midfielder

Michelle Akers is a legend in women’s soccer. John T. Greilick / AP Photo

Born: Feb. 1, 1966 (Santa Clara, California)

College: Central Florida

Now: Michelle Akers

Michelle Akers was honored before a Seattle Sounders game in 2016. Ted S. Warren / AP Photo

Michelle Akers was a four-time All-American at the University of Central Florida and was the national player of the year in 1988, which was three years after she first took the field for the U.S. Women’s National Team.

Akers won the Golden Shoe after she led the U.S. to a Women’s World Cup championship in 1991, then starred on the way to a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics and another Women’s World Cup championship in 1999.

Akers lives on a farm in Powder Springs, Georgia, where she volunteers with local horse rescue and animal welfare organizations.

Julie Foudy, Midfielder

Julie Foudy was one of the most electric women’s soccer players in history. Steven Senne / AP Photo

Born: Jan. 23, 1971 (San Diego, California)

College: Stanford

Now: Julie Foudy

Julie Foudy has remained at the forefront of women’s soccer since her retirement thanks to her role on ESPN. Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP Photo

San Diego native Julie Foudy was on the U.S. women’s national team by the time she was 16 years old and earning back-to-back All-American honors at Mission Viejo High.

She was a four-time All-American at Stanford and was named the Soccer America Player of the Year in 1991 — the same year she helped lead the USWNT to victory at the inaugural Women’s World Cup, then helped the team win again in 1999.

Since 2006, she has been ESPN’s main color analyst for women’s soccer broadcasts.

Kristine Lilly, Midfielder

Kristine Lilly is the USWNT career leader for games played. Paul Sakuma / AP Photo

Born: July 22, 1971 (New York, New York)

College: North Carolina

Now: Kristine Lilly

Kristine Lilly speaks at the opening ceremonies for the U17 Women’s World Cup. Rajanish Kakade / AP Photo

Kristine Lilly still was in high school when she joined the U.S. women’s national team and stayed on the roster for 24 years, becoming the most capped player in history for both men’s and women’s U.S. soccer with an astounding 354 caps.

Lilly, who also won four NCAA championships at North Carolina, made the game-saving play when she cleared a shot at the goal line in the 1999 Women’s World Cup final that got past goaltender Briana Scurry.

She’s been an assistant coach for the NWSL’s Boston Breakers since 2012.

Tisha Venturini, Midfielder

USWNT midfielder Tisha Venturini won four national championships at North Carolina. Chris O’Meara / AP Photo

Born: March 3, 1973 (Modesto, California)

College: North Carolina

Now: Tisha Venturini

Tisha Venturini founded the TeamFirst Soccer Academy with former teammates Kristine Lilly and Mia Hamm. KendraSwanson / Twitter

Tisha Venturini won four national championships at North Carolina from 1991 to 1994 and joined the USWNT in 1992.

Venturini was one of the top goal scorers for her era on the USWNT, won an Olympic gold medal in 1996, and was a key role player on the 1999 USWNT Women’s World Cup team.

Venturini played with the USWNT through 2000 and started the TeamFirst Soccer Academy alongside former teammates Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly after her career was over.

Christie Pearce, Defender

Christie Pearce played in five Women’s World Cups for the U.S. Bob Child / AP Photo

Born: June 24, 1975 (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

College: Monmouth

Now: Christie Pearce

Christie Pearce at a jersey retirement ceremony with her daughters. Julio Cortez / AP Photo

Christie Pearce was a three-sport star at Monmouth in basketball, lacrosse and soccer in the early 1990s before she joined the USWNT in 1997.

Pearce was capped 311 times by the U.S. All told she played in five Women’s World Cups, four Summer Olympics, and in 2015 became the oldest woman to play in a World Cup Final at 40 years and 11 days old.

Pearce played professional soccer until 2017, and after initially being a spokesperson for Jersey Mike’s Subs, she became the owner of several Jersey Mike’s franchises.

Carla Overbeck, Defender

Carla Overbeck won Women’s World Cup titles in 1991 and 1999. FIFAWWC / Twitter

Born: May 9, 1968 (Pasadena, California)

College: North Carolina

Now: Carla Overbeck

Carla Overbeck has been an assistant coach at Duke since 1992. DukeWSOC / Twitter

Carla Overbeck won four national titles at North Carolina and joined the USWNT in 1988, winning Women’s World Cup titles in 1991 and 1999, spearheading a defense that allowed just five goals in six games in 1991.

Overbeck was as durable a player as the USWNT ever had. She played every minute for the U.S. in the 1995 Women’s World Cup, 1996 Olympics and 1999 Women’s World Cup. The U.S. won the gold medal in 1996.

Overbeck has been an assistant coach at Duke University since 1992.

Brandi Chastain, Defender

Brandi Chastain scored the winning goal in the 1999 U.S. Women’s World Cup. Khui Bui / AP Photo

Born: July 21, 1968 (San Jose, California)

College: Santa Clara

Now: Brandi Chastain

Brandi Chastain has been a high school girls soccer coach since 2014 and is still one of the most well-known women’s soccer players of all time. Daniel Kim / AP Photo

Brandi Chastain authored one of the most iconic moments in U.S. sports history when she scored the game-winning goal in a penalty shootout against China in the 1999 Women’s World Cup final.

Chastain’s career was so much more than that one goal, though. She also won a title at the 1991 Women’s World Cup, won two Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2004, and played professionally until 2010.

Chastain has been the head coach at Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose since 2014.

Joy Fawcett, Defender

USWNT defender Joy Fawcett played every minute in three consecutive World Cups. Roberto Borea / AP Photo

Born: Feb. 8, 1968 (Inglewood, California)

College: Cal

Now: Joy Fawcett

U.S. Women's National Deaf Team coach Joy Fawcett

Former U.S. soccer star Joy Fawcett has been an assistant coach with the U.S. Women’s National Deaf Team. AP Photo

Joy Fawcett might be the best defender in women’s soccer history. She won a Women’s World Cup in 1991, then played every minute for the U.S. in three consecutive World Cups in 1995, 1999 and 2003.

The next time you think you’re busy — really busy — please consider Fawcett did all of that while also coaching the UCLA women’s soccer team from 1993 to 1997 and giving birth to three children in that stretch.

Fawcett is currently an assistant coach for the U.S. Deaf Women’s National Team, and one of her daughters, Katey, played for the University of Washington.

Kate Markgraf, Defender

Kate Markgraf won a national title at Notre Dame before joining the USWNT. mvalentinavs / Twitter

Born: Aug. 23, 1976 (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan)

College: Notre Dame

Now: Kate Markgraf

U.S. Soccer general manager Kate Markgraf

Kate Markgraf has been the general manager for U.S. Soccer since 2019. TonyPaul1984 / Twitter

Kate Markgraf won at the highest level, on every level. She won a state championship in high school, NCAA Division I championship at Notre Dame, Olympic gold medal and FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Markgraf was the youngest starter on the USWNT when it made its run to a World Cup title in 1999 at 21 years old and played in two more World Cups in 2003 and 2007.

Markgraf was hired as the USWNT’s first general manager in 2019 and has a major role in picking and developing players for the team.

Briana Scurry, Goalkeeper

Briana Scurry became a star for the USWNT in the late 1990s. Eric Risberg / AP Photo

Born: Sept. 7, 1971 (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

College: Massachusetts

Now: Briana Scurry

Washington Spirit investor Briana Scurry

Briana Scurry is one of the investors in the NWSL Washington Spirit franchise. Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo

Briana Scurry was a star at the University of Massachusetts before joining the USWNT in 1994, where she made 159 starts in 173 appearances over the course of 14 years.

No one was better in the 1999 Women’s World Cup than Curry, who posted four shutouts on the way to winning the title.

Scurry, who was the first Black woman and first female goalkeeper inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2017, also won two Olympic gold medals.

Today, she’s one of the investors in the NWSL’s Washington Spirit franchise alongside Chelsea Clinton, Jenna Bush Hager and fellow Olympic star Dominique Dawes.

Saskia Webber, Goalkeeper

Saskia Webber was a fan favorite on the 1999 USWNT. RealCentralNJ / Twitter

Born: June 13, 1971 (Princeton, New Jersey)

College: Rutgers

Now: Saskia Webber

Saskia Webber has been an assistant coach at UCLA for several years. kellyh702 / Twitter

Saskia Webber was a star at Rutgers, joined the USWMNT in 1992, and was one of two goaltenders who served as backup to Briana Scurry on the U.S. 1999 Women’s World Cup team.

Webber became a fan favorite because she dyed her hair in red, white and blue. She also was a founding member of the WUSA and played professionally in Japan as well.

After retirement, Webber spent time as an assistant coach at UCLA working goaltenders and has been an outspoken proponent of LBGTQ rights and hosted “On Q Live” on The Q Channel for several years.

Tracy Ducar, Goalkeeper

USWNT goalkeeper Tracy Ducar signs autographs before a practice in 1999. AP Photo

Born: June 18, 1973 (Lawrence, Massachusetts)

College: North Carolina

Now: Tracy Ducar

Tracy Ducar, left, at the U.S. Embassy in Nepal. TsheringKsherpa / Twitter

Tracy Ducar grabbed her own piece of North Carolina’s soccer legacy when she led the Tar Heels to an NCAA title in 1994 and tallied shutouts in the semifinals and finals of the NCAA tournament.

Ducar joined the USWNT in 1996 and served primarily as one of two backups to starter Briana Scurry. Ducar also was one of the “First 20” players in the Women’s United Soccer Association, where she played for the Boston Breakers.

Ducar was hired as the women’s soccer coach at Greensboro College in 2004.