Christie Rampone and Lauren Cheney both play for the U.S. women's soccer team that will attempt to win the country's third World Cup on Sunday. They're both linked not only by their participation on this team but in the way they appreciated the one that set the gold standard for women's soccer in this country. The 1999 World Cup champions.
36-year-old Rampone, who was known as Christie Pearce back in 1999, was a member of that magical squad.
Cheney was an 11-year-old fan cheering on the team from the stands, getting inspired to one day play for them as well.
Members of the '99 team, now retired or working in television or coaching, will be watching knowing that the American squad that takes the field Sunday will be writing its own legacy while playing under the shadow of theirs.
"Sitting down together and reliving stories and laughing, this is what I feel is so special about the experience we had," Chastain said. "This is what these players will be able to do 10 years, 20 years down the line. It’ll be a very special time in their lives. I love the fact that they’re going to say, ‘We did that.’ That’s very, very precious."
There will be plenty of 11-year-old girls in the stands watching, daydreaming of their chance to do it as well. The legacy continues...