FC Gold Pride Release Brandi Chastain; Is This the End?

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Alondra Hernandez

Is this the end for Brandi Chastain?

Breaking news has come out of the Bay area sports world as FC Gold Pride announced today that they have released veteran Brandi Chastain.

“We are grateful to Brandi for the contributions she has made to our team, organization and to the growth of the game,” explained Pride General Manager Ilisa Kessler. “She has been an outstanding representation of the Pride and Women’s Professional Soccer.”

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with Brandi and her foundation, Bay Area Women’s Sports Initiative (BAWSI).”

Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya explained that it was a tough decision to make, but it was necessary to make the best possible roster for this season of WPS. “She is a great leader and we all wish her the best as she moves forward with her career,” he added.

Chastain is widely remembered for one moment in the 1999 Women’s World Cup. She scored the game-winning penalty kick against China to win it all for the USA. What came next is what the 90,185 fans at the Rose Bowl, and thousands more watching on their TV all across America witnessed. She ripped off her jersey, as often seen by male soccer players, and caused arguably the most controversy in women’s sports to this date.

She played a twelve-year career with the US Women’s National Team. In those twelve years, she won two World Cups, two Gold Medals, and earned 192 caps as a defender.

Chastain played her collegiate career at Cal, and Santa Clara. She was twice named an All-American and helped lead the Broncos twice to the semifinals of the NCAA College Cup.

Brandi Chastain proved that she could still play at a high level this past year, but does this release mean it’s the end of her professional career?