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Chat Reel: Brandi Chastain
Chastain talks women's soccer and her golf game
Posted: Friday March 03, 2000 01:14 PM
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Bay-Area girl Brandi Chastain has fans who think she's "four sports bras strong." Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Hello Everyone. Welcome to this afternoon's chat with Women's World Cup hero Brandi Chastain. Hi Brandi, thanks for joining us.
Brandi Chastain: Thank you very much. Nice to be here.
From Guest: How has your life changed since winning the WWC? Do you ever tire of the attention?
Brandi Chastain: Life has become a bit busier. In the past, we had to force the issue of soccer on people. Now they are coming to us. We're thrilled that people in the US are coming around to soccer, and more importantly to us, women's soccer. My teammates and I have embraced the idea that we are now spokes people for the sport and for the idea of healthy living.
From Guest: Brandi, how do you feel knowing that you and the team are role models for tons of soccer loving girls, including me?
Brandi Chastain: We're thrilled that there are people who are as excited about the game of soccer as we are. I know that my team has embraced the concept of being a role model for young girls. We never had someone to look up to. So we're thrilled to have the opportunity.
From Guest: Can a women's professional soccer league make it in this country?
Brandi Chastain: Without a doubt! It has been proven with the Women's World Cup in '99. But there are not only enough players, but also enough fans to support a league on a regular basis.
CNNSI Host: From Danielle: What is the craziest thing a fan has done to meet you?
Brandi Chastain: I had a funny one in Chicago. A great sign that one of the fans displayed in the stadium. Usually with movies, books or a hotels they rate them with a star system. But this girl made a sign with four sports bras tied to it
saying I'm FOUR sports bras strong! I felt I had to thank them very much for such a kind review.
From Steve: Don't you think everyone made too big a deal about the shirt thing at the World Cup? I mean, soccer players have been doing that for years!
Brandi Chastain: Steve, you are absolutely correct about soccer players doing that for years. But for me, the number one thing is that people will remember women's soccer and the event that took place in the summer of '99. And that is very important.
From Hannah: What is the response of the players to the coaching change in April Heinrichs?
Brandi Chastain: I think it has been a very positive response. All the players have had an experience with April as a player and we all understand her competitive desire to not only improve as an individual, but to improve and excel as a team. These are all concepts that we are interested in improving in and leading to our goal of winning in 2000 in Sydney.
From Guest: Brandi, because you've won the World Cup, does that make Sydney that much more important, being the favorites and all?
Brandi Chastain: Without a doubt the competition gets stronger every year. We have already decided that Sydney will be the most difficult tournament of all time. Like all the other teams involved in the tournament, our desire is to win the gold. That definitely raises the level of play coming into Sydney.
From Jenna: I am a defender on my team. I get frustrated that only offensive players ever get noticed for their successes. How do you stay motivated when you don't seem to be getting the credit for your team's victories?
Brandi Chastain: Well Jenna, it is our philosophy on the National Team that defense wins games. To go along with that idea, each individual needs to understand her role within the team framework. So it is very important for each one of us to celebrate small victories that we have and to be satisfied with ourselves with how well we play. It is also important to know that every time we go on the field we are giving 100% and that internally we are happy with that. Those are our goals as defenders.
From SFFAN: Brandi - Rumor has it that the WUSA will bypass the Bay Area in favor of cities where the backers have cable TV franchises. Don't you want to play in front of a rabid hometown crowd?
Brandi Chastain: It is my strongest desire and hope to have a team in the Bay Area. I believe it is not only up to me, as a Bay Area girl, to promote the women's league in the Bay Area, but up to the fans as well. Those who want and deserve a women's professional team must make their voices known to John Hendricks of the Discovery Channel. With the continued support that soccer has been given in the Bay Area, it would be impossible for Mr. Hendricks to deny the thousands of fans to watch soccer at the highest level.
From Mariel: Has the US boycott against the US Soccer Fed. affected the team's relationship in any way?
Brandi Chastain: Absolutely not! The things off the field are business and the things on the field are soccer. We keep them separate.
From Susan: How do you see women's sports, particularly soccer, changing in the next five years?
Brandi Chastain: I'm extremely hopeful and thrilled to see where soccer goes in five years. I have extremely lofty expectations. But we all have to be active participants in the growth of soccer. We have a lot to do. But we have only just begun.
From Rachel: Most players know that it takes tons of mental toughness to play soccer -- especially to win. What do you do to maintain your level of mental toughness?
Brandi Chastain: Thats a great question. That is an area that is often overlooked. People believe that skill and physical strength are the key components. But mental toughness and physical strength are the key components to a successful soccer player. So for me to keep sharp on the mental side of the game, I have to goal set every day in a game or a training environment. So, an example would be in training, when I'm feeling tired to push myself a little harder. To break that barrier when the 89th minute of the game comes, I know I can handle the pressure.
From Danielle: What was the moral of the team after the loss to Norway? By the way, you played very solid the entire 90 minutes.
Brandi Chastain: Thank you for the compliment, Danielle. I appreciate that. The morale of the team is very high. The outcome of those games is not indicative of how things will go in the Olympics. The Norway game was in part, experimentation for the coach in regards to some new players.
From Guest: Without a league in the United States, is there any possibility of the U.S. keeping up with the other countries skill wise?
Brandi Chastain: A very valuable question. The gap gets smaller every year between those countries that have a league and those who don't. The college environment can only give the players so much. After college, it is vital for the players to have a place to continue honing their skills for our national team to be successful.
From Lauren: Hey, Brandi! Many of the players are known to play a game of golf in their spare time. How does your golf game rate in comparison to your soccer game?
Brandi Chastain: It is right up there baby! I choose to play soccer because I don't want to hurt the feelings of my friends on the LPGA tour. BRANDI CHASTAIN'S GOLF GAME ROCKS OVER JULIE FOUDY'S!
From guest: You were great as a roving reporter for Under the Helmet. Will you be doing that next football season? You looked like you were having so much fun.
Brandi Chastain: Well, I'm glad it looked like I was having fun because I was. I hope to continue next season after the Olympics are finished
From Guest: What other plans do you have for after the Olympics?
Brandi Chastain: Well, first I'd like to spend some time with my husband and encourage him and his team at Santa Clara University to their first national championship.
From Guest: What advice can you give to new soccer players?
Brandi Chastain: I have been playing soccer for 25 years. And the best advice I can give to any player young or old, rookie or veteran, is to have fun. It is only a game after all. Have a good time, share it with your friends. Because when you are having fun, you are learning the skills of the game, and you are growing in an enjoyment that will last a lifetime.
From Guest: What does the new soccer league need to do to earn the popularity of the WNBA and WTA?
Brandi Chastain: I think first and foremost we have to put the best product on the field. When we do that, people will buy the tickets necessary to fill the stadium. It is our sincerest desire to give the fans exactly what they deserve when they spend their money to see soccer on the field -- which is at the highest level. Also, I believe it is critical for each and every player to be involved with their local community. Not only with the soccer teams, but also with the community as a whole. We want there to be a bond between the players and the fans. That it is one big team. There is no separation between the athletes and the fans.
From Guest: Who do you see as the next Brandi Chastain or Mia Hamm?
Brandi Chastain: I'm still trying to be the First Brandi Chastain. I haven't completed that mission yet.
CNNSI Host: Thanks for joining us today, Brandi. Good Luck!
Brandi Chastain: Thank you very much. I appreciate your interest in women's soccer. And please support healthy living with beat the cheat.
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