Throwback

Sometimes you get the sense that people think women’s soccer started in 1999. But there’s more to the story than just the ‘99ers. It was the '91 team that started it all. And that's a story not even most soccer fans know. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 1999 Women’s World Cup was the first to captivate an American audience. But it wasn’t the first Women’s World Cup - that happened eight years earlier. And barely anyone paid attention. How did the U.S. women go from unknowns to superstars? Why did it take so long for FIFA to hold a Women’s World Cup? And what does any of this have to do with ex-FIFA president Sepp Blatter?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first U.S. women’s national team didn’t win a single game at its first international competition. So how did they go from complete embarrassment to tournament favorites entering the first Women’s World Cup just six years later? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After years of relentless training, the USWNT was finally ready for the 1st FIFA World Championship for Women’s Football for the M&M’s Cup (aka the first Women’s World Cup). The U.S. women had developed a true American playing style, but this was the world’s game. How would they fare on the biggest stage, against the most dominant players from across the globe? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. absolutely dominated the early parts of the tournament. They scored 23 goals in five games while conceding only four. It all led up to one decisive final. USA vs Norway, for the first Women’s Wold Cup title.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ’91 U.S. women’s national team pressed, always on the attack. Their playing style and their success were both unprecedented. But winning on the field was just the beginning. Now, they had to bring their relentless mentality to the fight for equality and for all of women’s sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grant Wahl and producer Grant Irving do an 80's movie-style epilogue and give updates on where the key players from the '91 Women's World Cup and USWNT are today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices