STANFORD, Calif. – Tell your story how you want it to be told. Allow a moment of celebration to say, “This is me.”

Those were Brandi Chastain’s words of wisdom for the U.S. women’s national team ahead of Team USA Spring Premiere at Stanford University. 

It was in 1999 that Chastain had her moment, changing the course of history for U.S. women's soccer. Her iconic celebration, collapsing to her knees, ripping off her white jersey after winning the World Cup that year in a sold-out Rose Bowl arena in Pasadena, Calif., landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated. But that photo represented the start of something bigger for the sport. 

The two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist spoke of her challenges and triumphs to Team USA during its opening meeting ahead of an action-packed weekend, which featured games against England and Stanford, as well as a combined practice with Japan. 

The Americans emerged victorious, downing England 14-8 and Stanford 16-7, the latter being a joint game with the U.S. under-19 women’s team for a final score of 19-14 in favor of Team USA. 

Our Senior Team was honored to have spoken to @brandichastain this morning! #WeAre #TeamUSA pic.twitter.com/TGxxRdeiwd

— US Women's National Team (@USAWLax) January 25, 2019

But the moment with Chastain set the tone not only for the weekend, but also for the years to come as they build toward the 2021 FIL Women’s World Championship, and hopefully, the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. 

“When you coach a team, whether it’s a college team or the U.S. team, there are certain moments you all remember together and having her join us on Friday was a moment for us,” said Levy. “Our women have the same opportunity that the 99ers had and not everybody gets that opportunity – so see it as a gift that you are the caretaker [of the sport].”

U.S. attacker Kayla Treanor, who recorded a team-high five points on a hat trick plus two assists against England, noted Team USA’s trip to California was the first step to establishing that footprint for the sport nationwide. With lacrosse’s hotbed on the East Coast, the young fans in the Golden State learned firsthand from the world’s best at a clinic Saturday morning, while also witnessing their skills live inside Cagan Stadium later that evening.

“For this group, we’re a part of the beginning of it, trying to get to the 2028 Olympics,” Treanor said. “We play a huge role in that process. Whether we’re in that or not, we’re that foundation.”

When Katrina Dowd – the 2013 gold medalist who made her return to the USA sideline since being cut ahead of the 2017 FIL Women’s World Cup – heard she would join the offensive line featuring Treanor and Michelle Tumolo, she was eager to showcase the best the sport can offer in front of a new set of fans. 

“When coach said, ‘Hey, it was going to be you, Tumi and Treanor,’ I’ve been waiting for that,” Dowd said. “I thought that would be quite the combo.” 

In their first game together against England, Dowd assisted Treanor, Tumolo assisted Dowd and then Tumolo assisted Treanor. Dowd and Tumolo finished behind Treanor with three points each. 

“That’s a dream come true,” said Dowd of playing alongside the former Syracuse attack duo. “To actually get a line of the three of us, we were pretty excited and we knew we wanted to go out and play with just a great team mindset and a great style, be exciting and just play really well together. That first England game, we really had great chemistry.” 

Beautiful lacrosse from @USAWLax turnover, transition, @KatrinaDowd4 underhand flip to @unKayTrain_able who throws fakes and scores. WATCH FREE #USAWLAX vs @englacrosse on https://t.co/oJkK8CQ2nw, the LSN app, and LSN Facebook page pic.twitter.com/k38NKN3gN1

— Lax Sports Network (@LaxSportsNet) January 26, 2019

According to Levy, growing the team’s chemistry with “elite-level execution” is the goal moving forward. Even though it’s just the third weekend this group has played together, they continue to strive for an up-tempo pace of play in order to put a product on the field that’s appealing for all.

“It’s just going to take us a little bit more time to get there,” Levy said. 

But like Chastain said of her U.S. soccer team, it will take a lot of work. All the pieces to the puzzle matter. 

NOTES: Kerrigan Miller, in her return to the U.S. program since winning a silver medal with the 2015 U.S. under-19 women’s team, scored the first goal for the U.S. women’s national team against England. She and Taylor Cummings led the midfield with three draw controls each. … Against Stanford, Sam Apuzzo, the 2018 Tewaaraton winner of Boston College, had yet another impressive performance with a team-high seven points on six goals and an assist. Molly Hendrick had a hat trick in the victory, while Cummings and Marie McCool recorded three draw controls apiece. Goalie Liz Hogan made seven stops against the Cardinal. … The U.S. women’s national team’s next world competition is in 2021, when the FIL Women’s World Championship will take place at Towson (Md.) in July. 

Brandi Chastain, LEGEND, spoke to today-the day before playing .
She wanted to be a Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker initially.
”Embrace the process and be willing to outlast the messiness.”
@brandichastain @USAWLax @uslacrosse #lacrosse pic.twitter.com/BscegdtJDw

— Karen Sutton, MD (@karensuttonmd) January 26, 2019