CNN/SI - SI for Women - Dear Diary: The Biggest Game of My Life

The Biggest Game of My Life

By Brandi Chastain

Chastain celebrates solo. Robert Beck
Although our team approached the gold medal game, on July 10, as we would any other, things started earlier than usual. Breakfast was at 8 a.m. Some of the girls weren't happy about getting up so early, but I was psyched. Sleeping is overrated, especially when I'd spent most of the previous nights tossing and turning, playing the game in my dreams.

I was feeling calm and relaxed until I heard someone reading this: "Janet and I just want to drop a short note to tell you how great you have played and how much you have done to inspire young girls. It has been done with a great deal of class. Good luck in the final." It was signed "Wayne Gretzky." Suddenly I realized the magnitude of this event -- the Great One had sent us a fax!

My excitement continued to build when our coach, Tony DiCicco, read the starting lineup. I knew I would start, but I'm always relieved to hear my name. I picked up my uniform from Dainis Kalninis, the best equipment guy ever, who gave each of us three roses -- red, white and blue. Then I showered, packed my bag and piled onto the bus. It wouldn't be a final if someone didn't forget something, and this time it was me -- I had to run back to my room to get the socks I wear under my game socks.

Entering the Rose Bowl, we saw cars stretching in every direction. I knew more than 90,000 tickets had been sold, but I was blown away to see 90,000 fans in one place. Getting off the bus, we waved to them and took pictures of everyone decked out in red, white and blue.

In the locker room, we went over our game plan, then listened to Tony's motivational speech. Because the third-place game was going on, we couldn't warm up on the field. That was a little frustrating, but we improvised, running and kicking balls in the tunnels under the stadium.

After the national anthem -- "and the home of the brave" always gets to me -- my heart was racing, I wanted to get it on! The whistle blew, and 90 minutes later it blew again. The game was over in a flash, although I felt as if I had played two. My body ached, the sun was baking the field, and I felt like I was on fire. And the score was still 0-0: overtime.

Before the overtime period began, I took off my drenched jersey to air it out. After a cool towel, a quick massage and gulps of water, we were ready to go again. After the first overtime, the score remained 0-0, so we repeated the relax-and-recharge drill. During the second overtime, I kept talking to myself -- out loud, so loud I thought the crowd could hear. I told myself not to let up, to stay focused, because one mistake could mean the game. I don't remember looking at the clock. I just knew that I had to last through the whistle. There were some amazing moments in those 30 minutes, including Kristine Lilly's header to clear an almost-goal by China, but finally the game came down to penalty kicks. Five per side, more if necessary to break a tie. The Chinese kicked first, then our captain, Carla Overbeck, tied the score 1-1. Joy Fawcett evened us 2-2. Then Briana Scurry, our goalie, came up huge by deflecting a Chinese kick. Tears came to my eyes; I knew we'd won even though it wasn't over. Kristine put us up 3-2; Mia Hamm, 4-3. Then it was my turn.

I felt a great calm as I walked up to my kick. There was no crowd noise. I didn't look at Gao Hong, the goalie, who had psyched me out before in this very situation, in March at the Algarve Cup in Portugal. I wasn't going to let her do it again. I put the ball down, listened for the whistle and hit the shot heard round the world. The crowd erupted. So did I! In front of 90,185 people in the stadium and 40 million TV viewers, I ripped off my shirt. As I lifted it off, I lifted all the expectations and pressure of winning. My teammates hit me like a huge wave, crushing me in the greatest hug of my life. I could have stayed there forever. Who was exhausted? It didn't matter anymore.

What matters is what we accomplished. Not only are we the world champions, but we also built and polished the game of women's soccer and presented an awesome final product. Our motto for the Women's World Cup was right on: THIS IS MY GAME. THIS IS MY FUTURE. WATCH ME PLAY.

Also: Michelle Akers