Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
ESPN Film’s Nine for IX series will be premiering an episode on the 1999 U.S. Women’s National Team on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 8pm.
The episode, titled “The 99ers,” will take fans on a trip back to July 10, 1999 at the Women’s World Cup final between the U.S. and China, where the USWNT wound up winning in a dramatic penalty kick shootout in front of a record live and televised audience.
The film will be the eighth installment in the Nine for IX series, celebrating the contributions of women in sports and female athletes in the 40th anniversary of Title IX. It is directed by Erin Layden an ESPN Films producer, who directed a number of documentaries in the critically acclaimed “30 for 30” series.
What do you think of this news? Do you plan on watching it? What are your memories of that World Cup final?
Share your thoughts below.
As for “playing in their shadow” I don’t think that’s the case at all… These girls paved the way for the new girls.
Can’t wait!! Have my calendar marked!
I feel bad for womens soccer in the US. They will always be in the shadow of the 99ers who never seem to get out of the way. Especially, Julie Foudy and to a lesser extent Brandi Chastain. This has to be like the 3rd or 4th documentary about the 99ers.
I hope they do a Nine For IX film on the athletes and staff that were collateral damage as a result of that legislation.
There are many people who paid a heavy price and their story will never be heard.
yeah only men should have to right to play sports. Without a doubt 100% of schools athletic budgets should go to men, they have a more inherent right to play sports than these silly little ladies. Also, let’s continue to blame women even though men’s sports still get more scholarships and funding.
I’ll never forget watching that game with my club team that day. We reserved a room in a pizza shop/italian restaurant after we played in what used to be called a “premier tournament” earlier in the day. The tv that we (about 40 kids and parents) watched the game on was no more than 22 inches. I don’t think premier tournaments or 22 inch tvs exist anymore, but I’ll never forget the excitement and anxiety that was felt inside that room as the game went on that day. Since the 1998 men’s World Cup was such a disappointment, this was probably the first time anyone born after 1985 had a reason to get excited about USA soccer.
Very cool. I enjoy ESPN documentaries. If anyone hasn’t seen “The Two Escobars” I highly recommend that one as well.
That was excellent and also very saddening.
Can’t wait. The other nine for IX have been good. A few stories I hadn’t heard much about before and some I knew well, but didn’t know deeply.
Definitely going to watch it. Love that group of players and was at the final!