retired female soccer playersretired female soccer players

[72] Her four goals set a new record for goals scored by a single U.S. player at an Olympic Tournament. When she is at the top of her game, Sinclair can be devastating, playing like a midfielder, bringing the ball forward towards the opposition goal. Players often face problems at the end of their careers after years of hard work and success. Wambach provided the assist with a header off a long thrown-in to Lori Chalupny who settled it off her chest and chipped the ball past Nigeria's goalkeeper. Sun, who had the ability to conjure up assists for her team-mates, was so good that she pulled off the rarest of doubles at a major tournament. Known for her exceptional goal-scoring abilities . [232][233], In July 2021, Wambach began hosting "Abby's Places", the first new series in the expansion of the Peyton's Places franchise on ESPN+. The first match for the national team was slated to start on August 6. To me, that just feels like they weren't able to make it for their country and earn a living, so they're coming here. [185], Wambach was a supporter of Hillary Clinton's 2016 primary election campaign and spoke at several campaign events. Wambach's 10-yard header in the 112th minute off a corner kick from Kristine Lilly gave the U.S. a 21 victory and the gold medal win. She demonstrated that in her international debut at 16, striking the game-winner in the 89th minute, 17 minutes after coming on as a substitute. She was outstanding in the very first Womens World Cup in 1991, earning Golden Ball honors via a virtuoso performance in the midfield. Carli Lloyd, one of the greatest women's soccer players to ever grace the game, has announced her retirement, U.S. Soccer said on Monday. Japan won 31, with Wambach converting the fourth and only successful penalty for the U.S.[128], Wambach's final tally for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup was four goals and one assist, an effort that earned her the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Bronze Boot after Brazil's Marta (4 goals, 2 assists, Silver Boot) and Japan's Homare Sawa (5 goals, 1 assist, Golden Boot). [242], Wambach was featured along with her national teammates in the EA Sports' FIFA video game series starting in FIFA 16, the first time women players were included in the game. Like many of her contemporaries, Sinclair made her international debut as a teenager, as a 16-year-old at the Algarve Cup. [244] In February 2016, Mattel unveiled a Barbie doll in her likeness.[245]. Id pay for her to come to play in the United States in the WUSA [Womens United Soccer Association], she said. [141], Prior to playing her fourth World Cup, Wambach declared that the Canada 2015 tournament would be her last. She and her team-mates certainly can make up for it with another medal in Rio. Wambach fell to the ground and immediately signaled for assistance. Prinz was a difficult player to mark because she knew when to shoot, and she combined a physical presence with impressive pace. Perhaps her most dramatic header was that spectacular goal she scored in stoppage time after 120 minutes against Brazil in the 2011 World Cup quarter-finals. Considered the top college recruit in 1997,[18] Wambach was intensely sought after by numerous colleges, including top soccer programs such as the University of North Carolina, UCLA, the University of Portland, and the University of Virginia. [193] On May 14, 2017, the couple married. "When they scored right away as I went off I started to get worried. "It's clear. The attacking midfielder started playing soccer with boys teams at the age of six before joining a girls side at 14. Her trophy case is ridiculously overloaded with three Fifa world player of the year honors (2002, 2003 and 2004). Carli Lloyd, regarded as one of the greatest women's soccer players, has announced her retirement, US Soccer said on Monday. He had nicknames Der Titan (The Titan) and Vol-Kahn-o (Volcano) for his aggressive style of goalkeeping. Wambach never saw a heading opportunity she didnt like, and she scored more than a third of her goals in the air en route a world-record 184 international strikes in 255 matches (and, by the way, she had 75 assists). Former Manchester United and Arsenal players are among the highest-profile stars to have announced their retirement in recent months. A knee injury kept Rottenberg out of the 2007 World Cup. Wambach scored a brace with goals in the 30th and 46th minutes. I learned how to compete, my brothers and sisters always played with me on the same level and they never let me win until I was better than them and deserved it. [19] After sticking with her commitment to her parents to visit five schools, Wambach accepted a full athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, where she played for coach Becky Burleigh's Florida Gators women's soccer team from 1998 to 2001. [64], Wambach announced on March 18, 2015, that she was sitting out the entire 2015 NWSL season in order to focus on the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. [127] The U.S. was forced to a penalty shootout after a late equalizer by Japan. As stoppage time was running down in Germanys 2-1 win over Brazil in the group stage of the 2000 Sydney Games, Prinz almost became the first women to register an Olympic hat-trick. Her unofficial philosophy was that it wasnt about her, even though it often was, especially in 2012 when she was voted Fifa world player of the year. How the Guardian ranked the 100 best female footballers in the world 2021 Leading coaches, former players and journalists from the women's game are among the 86 judges for this year's. Wambach had become a regular on the team for five years and had assumed a new position as leader on the team. She also was a member of Brazils fourth-place side at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She scored in the 117th minute of the final, before Japan beat the US on penalties. With a second goal scored by Sydney Leroux in the 87th minute, the Americans defeated New Zealand 20 and moved onto the semi-finals. A member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Hamm also played a vital role for two Womens World Cup winning teams in 1991 and 1999, converting a penalty in a shootout in the latter final. [168] In August 2012, after returning home from winning gold at the Summer Olympics in London, the city of Rochester honored Wambach by hosting a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony in which the entrance to Sahlen's Stadium was named "Wambach Way". All rights reserved. So I started to run to the locker room to get stitches put in", Wambach said. Thanks to all the fans out there who continue to inspire me and the rest of the team to win as many games as we can. A member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Akers retired at the age of 34, having scored 105 times in 153 international games. She's a big piece of a great team. [53][54] After missing the preseason because of national team commitments,[55] she made her debut on April 14, 2013, during the team's season opener against Sky Blue FC. Be it because of her looks or how she played the beautiful game, she was about as famous as female footballers get. [86][87] The Olympic win also marked the start of significant changes for the national team as it was the final competitive international match for veteran players Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett and Julie Foudy, who had played with the team since the first Women's World Cup in 1991. [7] Her autobiography, Forward, released in September 2016, became a New York Times best seller. [211] Although not a formal endorsement deal, Chipotle offers the cards to well-known professional athletes who publicly express a liking for the restaurant. The U.S. went on to win the game on penalty kicks and advanced to the semi-final. Pacey and skillful, she was nominally a forward but often played like a midfielder. They are superstar athletes on par with any other sport in the world. [74] She scored her third tournament goal during the squad's third Group stage match against North Korea on a penalty kick in the 17th minute. All 4 of Wambach's goals in the tournament were scored using her head. Marta Vieira da Silva (born 19 February 1986), simply known as Marta ( [mat] ), is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the Brazil national team. For many years, Fawcett partnered with Carla Overbeck to form one of the finest defensive tandems in womens soccer. [61] She made her home debut for the Flash on May 1 and scored the match-winning goal in the 20th minute to defeat Sky Blue 21. Named Germany captain after Prinz retired in 2011, Angerer made two vital peanlty saves against Sweden to help Germany to the 2013 European crown. [163], In 2011, Wambach was awarded the Bronze Boot and Silver Ball at the FIFA Women's World Cup. Pink whistles at the ready! [203] In her autobiography, which was released several months after the incident, Wambach wrote that she had abused prescription drugs and alcohol for many years and had been sober since her April arrest. Sawa gave notice to the rest of the world in her international debut against the Philippines, scoring four times in a win. With another goal from Alex Morgan and one from Carli Lloyd during the second half, the U.S. defeated France 42. [88][89] On the significance of the win, Wambach said, "It's the least we can do for the women who have meant so much to us. Wambach scored two goals and notched up her record to 80 goals in 98 international matches after scoring in the 34th minute on a penalty kick and again in the 58th minute on a left-footed half-volley from a cross from Kristine Lilly. 2 Annika Srenstam. [105] The loss relegated them to a final match against Norway, which they won 41, to secure third place standing at the tournament. In front of 29,522 spectators at Old Trafford, the Americans finished first in their group with the win and it launched them to the quarter-final against New Zealand. But what separates the best in women's soccers from the rest? She struck twice in the first Womens World Cup final in 1991, including the game-winner in the final minutes of a 2-1 triumph over Norway. [29] She scored twice in the inaugural 2002 WUSA All-Star Game, being named game MVP. A striker who wasnt afraid to set up her team-mates, Smith made headlines with Seton Hall University in New Jersey, which wasnt known for its womens soccer until the 1990s. [217][218] In 2013, she became an ambassador for Athlete Ally, a nonprofit organization that focuses on ending homophobia and transphobia in sports. Perhaps Abby Wambach said it best several years ago: I think shes the best all-around player in the world I think she is probably is the most underrated player in the whole world. In fact, if there is one player who has a shot at Wambachs international goal scoring record (184 goals), its the 33-year-old Sinclair, who enters the Rio Olympics with 162 goals in 230 matches. Marta, nicknamed Pele in skirts by the Brazilian master, can do it all. Playing forward, she starred on the U.S. national team that won World Cup championships in 1991 and 1999 and Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2004. Every goal I've ever scored has been because of someone else on my team, their excellence, their bravery. Female soccer players retire slightly earlier than males at 30 years old on average. [229], In April 2015, Wambach joined Alex Morgan on American Idol to announce that the show's season winner would record the official song for Fox's coverage of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. [112], "Obviously, it's devastating, but above everything else, I'm only one player, and you can never win a championship with just one player", Wambach said of her injury, "I have the utmost confidence in this team bringing home the gold. What age do female soccer players retire? [30], During the 2003 season, Wambach tied with Freedom teammate, Mia Hamm for the league's scoring lead with 33 points. I always felt comfortable with who I am and the decisions I made. [214], Wambach has done philanthropic work for the Epilepsy Foundation and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Not surprisingly, she was named 2011 Fifa world player of the year. The Most Influential Female Athletes of All Time Photo: Metaweb (FB) / CC-BY Brandi Chastain Brandi Denise Chastain (born July 21, 1968) is an American retired soccer player, two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion, two-time Olympic gold-medalist, coach, and sports broadcaster. Oliver Kahn. It was also her 140th international goal inching closer to Hamm's record at 158 for most international goals scored. (modern). Before womens international soccer took a foothold, Lily Parr was a true pioneer. She scored 71 times in 146 international matches, helping the Swedes to a third-place finish at the 1991 World Cup. While Birgit Prinz and Maren Meinert were giving opposing defenders and goalkeepers headaches during Germanys 2003 Womens World Cup championship run, Rottenberg was a stabilizing force at the back with her steady play. [8] Her second book, Wolfpack: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power and Change the Game, based on her viral commencement speech at Barnard College, was also a New York Times Bestseller in 2019. [142] Given that nominal captain Christie Rampone started every game at the bench, Wambach was her first on-field substitute wearing the armband. Hope Solo is arguably the most famous female soccer player of all time. Smith became the first athlete in any sport to be named Big East offensive player of the year and newcomer of the year in the same season. He was widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time. Most USWNT players stay domestic for their club soccer, playing in the NWSL, one of the world's top women's leagues. [10] During her high school career, she scored 142 goals, including 34 in 1997 alone. After Hamm scored on a penalty kick in the 58th minute, Wambach sealed the win with a goal in the 77th. [143][144] During the victorious campaign, Wambach scored in a 10 win against Nigeria, her last goal in official competition. She scored the game-winning goal in the sixth minute of overtime off a cross from Jennifer Meier, leading the Freedom to defeat the Atlanta Beat 21 during the championship match. [80][81], The U.S. faced Brazil during their second match of the tournament on August 14. They range from Dutchman Robin van Persie, who began his career as a star for Arsenal, to Xavi, one of the most accomplished players in Spanish soccer history. Regardless, her skill, vision and innate scoring ability made her the most dangerous and the best-known womens player of her generation. [235] Of the experience, she said, "Bodies come in all different shapes. Wambach competed in four FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments: 2003 in the United States, 2007 in China, 2011 in Germany, and 2015 in Canada, being champion of the last edition; and two Olympics tournaments: 2004 in Athens and 2012 in London, winning the gold medal on both. Scurry finished with 173 caps, and secured 71 clean sheets. [239][240][241] Out Magazine named Wambach Athlete of the Year in November 2015. Wambach competed in four FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments: 2003 in the United States, 2007 in China, 2011 in Germany and 2015 in Canada. Christine Sinclair is one of the all-time top scorers in international football. [162] In 2002, she received the WUSA's Rookie of the Year award for her performance during the 2001 WUSA season. Moreover, Germany and Angerer didnt concede in six games a record en route to the teams second successive world title. The Nine for IX documentary, The 99ers, in which Wambach appeared focused on the success and legacy of the national team that won the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. Howcan we beat sexism in football? She is currently the womens soccer coach at the US Naval Academy. Every shot she took she expected to score, and heaven forbid if a team-mate failed to release the ball at the right time. Hamm, who finished with a world-record 158 international goals when she retired in 2004, was a double threat. "[173][174] Wambach was also a finalist for the award in 2011[175][176][177] and 2013. Soccer is one of the most watched sports in the world. The referees did not seem to see the play and made no call. [41], Wambach won the WPS Player of the Week award for the week of July 28 (Week 18) for scoring two goals against the Chicago Red Stars and Sky Blue FC and for the week of Aug 11 (Week 20) for scoring two goals and having one assist against Sky Blue. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. [6] Wambach's goal set a new record for latest goal ever scored in a FIFA competition. [125] Wambach scored her third tournament goal during the Americans' 31 semi-final win over France. [179] Each player received a key to the city from Mayor Bill de Blasio. She did a lot of the little things that got lost in the limelight of her attack minded team-mates. [16] Following her senior season, Wambach was named to Parade magazine's High School All-America Team. Fawcett will be remembered as a fierce central defender. Regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time,[152] Wambach is known in particular for her goalscoring ability, and is the most prolific player in international competitions in soccer history. We can only wonder what more magic Akers could have produced had she not been struck down by illness (until then she was scoring at almost a goal a game). In 2011, she became the first ever soccer player of either sex to be named Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press. By the 30-minute mark, the Americans had tied the game with another goal from Alex Morgan. Wambach recalls being toughened up by her elder brothers firing hockey pucks at her for target practice. [103][104], The United States faced Brazil in the semi-finals in what would become a controversial and game-changing match for the team. [15], Wambach attended Our Lady of Mercy High School in Rochester from 1994 to 1998, where she lettered in soccer and basketball. Silke Rottenberg was a crucial part of a strong Germany side in the first decade of the 21st century. I sometimes struggle because I don't find myself inspiring, because it's just me, in my own skin. Jennings-Gabarra, who collected 53 goals in 117 international appearances, was forced to retire due to injuries after the USA won the 1996 Olympic gold medal. [121][122][123], On July 10, 2011, during the Americans' quarter-final game against Brazil, Wambach scored a header goal in stoppage time after the 120th minute (120th+two minutes of injury time) to even the score at 22 against the Brazilians. Wen Sun attempts a pass past the Australian defence during the first round of the FIFA Womens World Cup in 2003. [10] She was a member of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) U-16 National Team in 1996, the 1997 National U-20 Player Pool, and trained and played with the U.S. women's national soccer team while competing in the 1997 U.S. Soccer Festival in Blaine, Minnesota. Wambach announced her retirement on October 27, 2015. She came through in dramatic fashion, striking for the game-winner in extra-time against Brazil in the final. So vote up the soccer players who retired in 2019 . [29] During the three years that she played for the Washington Freedom and magicJack in the WPS, she was named WPS Player of the Week a record seven times. David Bentley officially retired in June 2014, at the age of 29, although he had been without a club for over a year before that. Coach Greg Ryan decided to bench starting goalkeeper, Hope Solo, and instead started Brianna Scurry, a veteran goalkeeper who had started in three World Cups and two Olympics, but who had started very few matches since the 2004 Olympics. I've never scored a goal without receiving a pass from somebody else. Former Mexico international forward Oribe Peralta also stepped away from the game after a storied career in Liga MX. Wambach fell to the ground in pain. Most importantly, though, that individual talent has consistently . From the chart below - taken from the playing age of females at the 2012 Olympics, there is a sharp drop-off at 30, indicating the average retirement age of 30. When it's time to hang up their boots, they may feel a sense of loss and regret, which can be . [48] She was named WPS Player of the Week for the seventh time in August 2011. Age: 30. Birgit Prinz helped German football hit new heights in the 21st century. Known for scoring goals with diving headers, a technique she began honing as a youth in her hometown of Rochester, New York, one of her most notable header goals occurred in the 122nd minute of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup quarterfinal match against Brazil. [139] Wambach also scored the game-tying third goal, on a penalty kick, in the United States' 43 controversial semi-final win over Canada. She finished fourth in voting for the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year. Women were banned from playing soccer on affiliated grounds in 1921, but that didnt stop her teams from raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity. Homare Sawa, top, celebrates after scoring at the 2011 World Cup. Sun never won a major tournament as China finished second to the USA in the 1996 Olympics and was runner-up to her rivals, losing in a shootout at the 1999 Womens World Cup final. It leveled the game and forced a shootout, which the Americans won. Club: Barcelona. [71] Having played in just six international matches, with three starts, before the 2003 World Cup, Wambach led the United States in scoring with three goals at the tournament. [99] The U.S. finished group play with their 10 defeat over Nigeria on September 18. Anytime you can learn from something. [97][98], The team faced Sweden in their next match on September 14, 2007. Michelle Akers (center) used her speed and height to deadly effect. The game also marked the first women's soccer game at Old Trafford in 23 years. She was sidelined from the pitch for ten minutes while she received five stitches to the back of her head. [154][155][156][157] Although primarily a striker, Wambach was also known for her energy and outstanding work rate throughout her career, ranking all-time third in the national team's number of assists behind Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly, often dropping into midfield to assist her teammates defensively and help start attacking plays; this enabled her to play anywhere along the front-line, and also to function as a playmaker in midfield on occasion, in her later career. June 26 (Reuters) - Bob Bradley has been fired as head coach and sporting director of Toronto FC, the Major League Soccer club said on Monday, after the team managed just three wins from 20 games . [238] The same year, she appeared on multiple covers of Sports Illustrated. [10] Over ten years later, she remains the Florida Gators' all-time leading scorer with ninety-six goals. On June 23, 2008, Wambach was named to the U.S. squad for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. We have it on film, so it's up to the Olympic committee and FIFA to decide what to do. ", "Abby Wambach announces retirement: Top 10 career accomplishments", "Abby Wambach's towering legacy only begins with broken records", "Passing Patterns of the U.S.'s Top Playmakers", "Wambach wins Female Athlete of the Year", "Wambach Honored with WPS Record Seventh Career Player of the Week Title", "Despite outcome, U.S. women earned respect", "Abby Wambach Was Named Female Athlete of the Year", "Abby Wambach Way Dedication & Ribbon Cutting", "Abby Wambach honored at Sahlen's Stadium with 'Wambach Way', "Lionel Messi And Abby Wambach Win FIFA's 2012 Male And Female Player of the Year Awards", "Abby Wambach: USA striker named world's best female player", "Abby Wambach wins FIFA Women's Player of the Year", "U.S. forward Wambach named world's best player", "Wambach runner-up for FIFA Player of Year award", "U.S. women celebrate World Cup with ticker-tape parade in New York City", "Team USA parades NYC's "Canyon of Heroes", "Obama To U.S. Women's Soccer Team: 'Playing Like A Girl Means You're A Badass', "Lesbian icons honored with jerseys worn by USWNT", "Former USWNT Star Abby Wambach Marries Blogger Glennon Doyle Melton", "Soccer star Abby Wambach scolds Naples car thieves", "U.S. team star Abby Wambach leaves her Portland home to anchor New York NWSL club", "Abby Wambach details drugs, alcohol use and divorce in her new book", "A Christian mom blogger announces she's dating soccer star Abby Wambach", "Soccer Star Abby Wambach and Christian Blogger Glennon Doyle Melton Announce Engagement: 'Love Wins', "Clinton Dominating the NH Surrogate Game", "Abby Wambach is No. [31][44], Wambach returned to the Washington Freedom for the 2010 WPS season, winning the WPS Player of the Week award in week 2 for scoring one goal and serving two assists against the Atlanta Beat. [226] She was featured on ESPN's In the Game with Robin Roberts in June 2012. During the Freedom's next game on May 3, 2009, she received a yellow card for a tackle on St. Louis Athletica midfielder Daniela that left Daniela with two damaged knee ligaments and a crack in the tibia and sidelined her for the rest of the season. She was Washington's leading scorer with ten goals and ten assists and finished tied for fourth for scoring in the WUSA. "[197] She reaffirmed her criticism during an interview released in October 2016, stating, "It's just my opinion, and I'm entitled to that. Her last-minute goal set a new record for latest goal ever scored in a match and was awarded ESPN's 2011 ESPY Award for Best Play of the Year. Her height and physique allowed her to excel in the air, and she was renowned for her ability to score with her head, frequently producing goals from spectacular diving headers, and in rare occasions, from bicycle kicks. So, just how fabulous is Christine Sinclair? She was smooth as silk on the ball while starring for Japan during an illustrious 23-year international career, from 1993 to 2015. [85] Wambach finished the tournament with four goals and one assist. [79] During the team's first group stage match against Greece on August 11, 2004, Wambach scored during the 30th minute to elevate the Americans to a 20 lead. By Reuters. [62], Wambach was named Week 5 NWSL Player of the Week after scoring both goals in the Flash's 21 victory over FC Kansas City. The U.S. defeated Sweden 31 with goals scored by Kristine Lilly, Cindy Parlow, and Shannon Boxx. She retired in 2011 and now works as a sports psychologist for both the male and female teams at Hoffenheim, as well as the German women's national team. [63] She became the first player in the league to win the award twice after scoring a goal and serving an assist during the Flash's 30 win over Sky Blue FC during Week 9. But do I think about the type of role model that I can be to someone who is going through the same thing? The U.S. defeated North Korea 30 after two additional goals from Cat Whitehill in the 48th and 66th minutes launching the team to the knock-out stage. [124] Her last-minute goal was awarded ESPN's 2011 ESPY Award for Best Play of the Year. In 2001, Wambach's WUSA and collegiate performance earned her a spot at the national team training camp. [69] The U.S. won 30. She was lethal with both feet, scoring 46 goals in 117 appearances over a remarkable two-decade international career (1995-2015). [131][132][133], During the United States' second group round game against Colombia, Wambach was struck in the right eye by an opposing player, but went on to score the second goal in her team's 30 victory. Carli Lloyd, a former world player of the year who was one of the United States women's national team's career leaders in goals, games and honors, announced her retirement from soccer at. [5] All together, she played in 29 matches and scored 22 goals at these five international tournaments. [189] Following their wedding in Hawaii in October 2013, Wambach stated that her marriage was not a political statement and did not represent a coming out, because she had never been closeted: "I can't speak for other people, but for me, I feel like gone are the days that you need to come out of a closet. [161], Wambach is a six-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Federation's U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award (2003, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013). Little wonder that Kelly Smith was chosen as a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2008. Katherine Ellen Foley and Dan Kopf Published June 18, 2019 At the very highest echelon of soccer, women players tend to be younger than men. Wambach received her second yellow card of the tournament in the 49th minute, giving her an automatic suspension for the final group stage match against Australia. [57] Though she continued playing to finish the match and even attempted to score a goal with her head, she dropped to the ground after the final whistle and was described by Spirit goalkeeper, Ashlyn Harris as dazed and mumbling. Overshadowed by flashier players, Sawa let her game do the talking. "[236], Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in April 2015. It certainly didnt hurt that Hamm was bolstered by a talented supporting cast, some of whom have made this top 20 list. [45] She was the top overall vote-getter in WPS All-Star voting, making her one of two captains for the 2010 WPS All-Star Game. It was well deserved. In 1997, she traveled to Beijing, China, as a member of the first American youth soccer team to ever compete there.