An average of 37,000 people flocked to each game of the 1999 Women’s World Cup hosted across the USA, but the final game, USA vs China, astounded the world with over 90,000 fans in attendance at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

These fans watched the US beat China in a penalty shootout, finished off with a beautiful shot by Brandi Chastain who famously ran and slid on her knees in celebration, whipping off her shirt and cheering. It was out of the popularity and success of the US at this World Cup that the first US professional women's soccer league was born.