The history of the United States women's national soccer team began in 1985. That year, the United States women's national soccer team played its very first match.
A parade in the Canyon of Heroes in Lower Manhattan, celebrating the winning of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Team History and Big Wins
The U.S. women's national soccer team (USWNT) played its first game on August 18, 1985. They were coached by Mike Ryan and lost 1–0 to Italy at a tournament called the Mundialito.
Years later, in 2004, two of the team's biggest stars, Mia Hamm and Michelle Akers, were chosen for the FIFA 100. This was a list of the 125 greatest living soccer players, picked by the legendary player Pelé. These two, along with Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly, and the entire 1999 team, helped start a huge change for women's team sports in America.
The 1999 World Cup Victory
The 1999 World Cup final was one of the USWNT's most important and famous wins. They played against China and won 5–4 in a penalty shootout after the game was tied 0–0 even after extra time. This victory made the team famous around the world and brought a lot of attention to women's soccer and sports.
On July 10, 1999, over 90,000 fans filled the Rose Bowl stadium in Pasadena, California. This was the largest crowd ever for a women's sports event! After a tough game, the score was still 0–0, leading to penalty kicks. Briana Scurry, the U.S. goalkeeper, blocked China's third shot. The score was 4–4, and it was up to Brandi Chastain to take the final shot. She scored, winning the game for the United States! Chastain celebrated with huge excitement, creating an iconic moment that appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated and in newspapers everywhere.
The "Miracle in Dresden" (2011)
Another incredibly important win happened on July 10, 2011. This was in the quarterfinal of the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany, where the U.S. beat Brazil 5–3 in a penalty shootout. Brazil had previously beaten the USA 4–0 in the 2007 World Cup, which was the worst loss in the USWNT's history.
The U.S. scored first with an own goal by Brazil. But later, a U.S. player was given a red card, meaning the U.S. had to play with one less player. Brazil scored a penalty kick, tying the game 1–1. In overtime, Brazil scored again, making it 2–1. The U.S. had less than 20 minutes to tie the game while still playing with only ten players.
In the 121st minute, a Brazilian player seemed to waste time by faking an injury. This caused confusion about how much time was left. In the 122nd minute, Megan Rapinoe sent a long pass to Abby Wambach, who scored with a powerful header! This goal, called the "Header Heard Round the World," tied the game 2–2. It's often called the greatest goal in U.S. soccer history.
In the penalty shootout, all of the U.S. players – Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe, and Ali Krieger – scored their kicks. Goalkeeper Hope Solo saved Brazil's third penalty, giving the U.S. a 5–3 win. This match, nicknamed the "Miracle in Dresden," happened exactly 12 years after the famous 1999 World Cup final.
Olympic Gold and New Leagues (2012–2013)
At the 2012 Summer Olympics, the U.S. team won the gold medal for the fourth time in five Olympics. They beat Japan 2–1 in front of a record crowd of 80,203 fans at Wembley Stadium. In their semifinal match against Canada, the U.S. team was behind three times before Alex Morgan scored a winning header in the very last minute of extra time, making it 4–3. This goal was the latest ever scored in a FIFA competition! The London Olympics was the first time the USWNT won every game on their way to a gold medal.
In late 2012, U.S. Soccer helped start a new league called the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2013. This league helps U.S. players get more competitive games and gives more players a chance to join the national team.
In 2013, the U.S. team had an amazing record of 14 wins, 0 losses, and 2 ties. They had a 43-game unbeaten streak that lasted two years! This streak ended in 2014 with a 1–0 loss to Sweden.
Third World Cup Title (2015)
On July 5, 2015, the U.S. team defeated Japan 5–2 in the final of the 2015 World Cup. This was their third World Cup title and their first since 1999! Carli Lloyd scored three goals in just 16 minutes, including one from almost 57 yards away! This was the fastest "hat-trick" (three goals by one player) from the start of a World Cup final.
Near the end of the game, Abby Wambach came into the match for her last World Cup appearance. Fans gave her a standing ovation. Carli Lloyd gave Wambach the captain's armband as a sign of respect, saying Wambach was "legendary" to the team. Longtime captain Christie Rampone also entered the game, becoming the oldest player to play in a Women's World Cup final. She was the only player on the 2015 team who had also been on the 1999 championship team.
After their win, the team was honored with a ticker tape parade in New York City, the first for a women's sports team! They also won the Outstanding Team award at the 2015 ESPY Awards and a Teen Choice Award. President Barack Obama welcomed them to the White House.
Olympic Disappointment (2016)
After their World Cup success, 2016 was a challenging year. The USWNT lost on U.S. soil for the first time since 2004. At the 2016 Olympics, they drew against Sweden in the quarterfinals and then lost in a penalty shootout. This was the first time the USWNT did not reach the gold medal game at the Olympics, and the first time they didn't make it to the semifinal round of a major tournament.
Team Records in Major Tournaments
The U.S. team plays in two main tournaments: the FIFA Women's World Cup and the Olympic Games, both held every four years.
World Cup Results
The team has played in every World Cup up to 2023.
Olympic Games Results
The team has played in every Olympic tournament through 2020. They reached the gold medal game in every Olympics until 2016.
 Olympic Games record |
| Year |
Result |
Matches |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
GF |
GA |
Coach |
 1996 |
Gold medal |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
3 |
Tony DiCicco |
 2000 |
Silver medal |
5 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
5 |
April Heinrichs |
 2004 |
Gold medal |
6 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
12 |
4 |
April Heinrichs |
 2008 |
Gold medal |
6 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
12 |
5 |
Pia Sundhage |
 2012 |
Gold medal |
6 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
6 |
Pia Sundhage |
 2016 |
Quarter-finals |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
Jill Ellis |
 2020 |
Bronze medal |
6 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
12 |
9 |
Vlatko Andonovski |
 2024 |
Qualified |
| Total |
39 |
28 |
7 |
4 |
75 |
34 |
|
Team Records in Minor Tournaments
CONCACAF W Championship
The CONCACAF W Championship is a tournament for teams in North and Central America and the Caribbean. It's used to decide which teams qualify for the Women's World Cup.
| CONCACAF Championship record |
| Year |
Result |
Matches |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
GF |
GA |
Coach |
 1991 |
Champions |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
49 |
0 |
Anson Dorrance |
| 1993 |
Champions |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
0 |
Anson Dorrance |
 1994 |
Champions |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
1 |
Tony DiCicco |
| 1998 |
Did not participate1 |
| 2000 |
Champions |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
24 |
1 |
April Heinrichs |
| 2002 |
Champions |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
1 |
April Heinrichs |
| 2006 |
Champions |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
Greg Ryan |
 2010 |
Third place |
5 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
22 |
2 |
Pia Sundhage |
| 2014 |
Champions |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
0 |
Jill Ellis |
| 2018 |
Champions |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
26 |
0 |
Jill Ellis |
| 2022 |
Champions |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
0 |
Vlatko Andonovski |
| Total |
44 |
42 |
1 |
1 |
212 |
6 |
|
1 The U.S. team automatically qualified for the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup because they were hosting the event. So, they didn't need to play in the 1998 CONCACAF Championship.
CONCACAF W Gold Cup
The CONCACAF W Gold Cup is a new international tournament that started in 2024. It includes national women's teams from the CONCACAF region and some invited teams from other areas.
| CONCACAF W Gold Cup record |
| Year |
Result |
Matches |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
GF |
GA |
Coach |
| 2024 |
Champions |
6 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
15 |
4 |
Twila Kilgore |
| Total |
6 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
15 |
4 |
|
CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament
From 2004 to 2020, this tournament decided which CONCACAF teams would go to the Olympic Games.
| CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament record |
| Year |
Result |
Matches |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
GF |
GA |
Coach |
 2004 |
Champions |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
24 |
2 |
April Heinrichs |
| 2008 |
Champions |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
13 |
2 |
Pia Sundhage |
| 2012 |
Champions |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
38 |
0 |
Pia Sundhage |
| 2016 |
Champions |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
23 |
0 |
Jill Ellis |
| 2020 |
Champions |
5 |
5 |
0 |
0 |
25 |
0 |
Vlatko Andonovski |
| Total |
25 |
24 |
1 |
0 |
123 |
4 |
|
Algarve Cup
The Algarve Cup is a well-known international soccer tournament for women's national teams. It's held every year in Portugal.
| Algarve Cup record |
| Year |
Result |
Matches |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
GF |
GA |
Coach |
 1994 |
2Runners-up |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
Tony DiCicco |
| 1995 |
4th place |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
5 |
Tony DiCicco |
| 1996 |
-1Did not enter |
| 1997 |
-1Did not enter |
| 1998 |
3Third place |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
6 |
Tony DiCicco |
| 1999 |
2Runners-up |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
4 |
Tony DiCicco |
| 2000 |
1Champions |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
1 |
April Heinrichs |
| 2001 |
6th place |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
5 |
9 |
April Heinrichs |
| 2002 |
5th place |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
6 |
April Heinrichs |
| 2003 |
1Champions |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
April Heinrichs |
| 2004 |
1Champions |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
5 |
April Heinrichs |
| 2005 |
1Champions |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
Greg Ryan |
| 2006 |
2Runners-up |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
9 |
1 |
Greg Ryan |
| 2007 |
1Champions |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
3 |
Greg Ryan |
| 2008 |
1Champions |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
1 |
Pia Sundhage |
| 2009 |
2Runners-up |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
Pia Sundhage |
| 2010 |
1Champions |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
3 |
Pia Sundhage |
| 2011 |
1Champions |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
12 |
3 |
Pia Sundhage |
| 2012 |
3Third place |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
2 |
Pia Sundhage |
| 2013 |
1Champions |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
11 |
1 |
Tom Sermanni |
| 2014 |
7th place |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
7 |
Tom Sermanni |
| 2015 |
1Champions |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
Jill Ellis |
| Total |
79 |
56 |
11 |
12 |
172 |
62 |
|
SheBelieves Cup
The SheBelieves Cup is an international invitational tournament organized by the United States Soccer Federation.
| SheBelieves Cup record |
| Year |
Result |
Matches |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
GF |
GA |
Coach |
| 2016 |
Champions |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
Jill Ellis |
| 2017 |
4th place |
3 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
Jill Ellis |
| 2018 |
Champions |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
Jill Ellis |
| 2019 |
Runners-up |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
4 |
Jill Ellis |
| 2020 |
Champions |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
Vlatko Andonovski |
| 2021 |
Champions |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
Vlatko Andonovski |
| 2022 |
Champions |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
Vlatko Andonovski |
| 2023 |
Champions |
3 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
1 |
Vlatko Andonovski |
| 2024 |
Champions |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
Twila Kilgore |
| Total |
26 |
19 |
5 |
2 |
47 |
15 |
|
Tournament of Nations
The Tournament of Nations was another invitational tournament organized by the United States Soccer Federation.
| Tournament of Nations record |
| Year |
Result |
Matches |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
GF |
GA |
Coach |
| 2017 |
Runners-up |
3 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
Jill Ellis |
| 2018 |
Champions |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
9 |
4 |
Jill Ellis |
| Total |
6 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
16 |
8 |
|
International Tournament of Brazil
This was an international women's football tournament held in Brazil.
| International Tournament of Brazil record |
| Year |
Result |
Matches |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
GF |
GA |
Coach |
| 2014 |
2Runners-up |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
10 |
4 |
Jill Ellis |
| Total |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
10 |
4 |
|
Pan American Games
The Pan American Games happen in the same year as the FIFA Women's World Cup. Because of this, the main U.S. women's national soccer team has never played in the Pan American Games. Instead, younger U.S. teams have participated. An under-18 team won the first women's soccer tournament at the 1999 Pan American Games. An under-20 team lost in the final to a full Brazil team in the 2007 Pan American Games. Some players from these youth teams, like Hope Solo, Tobin Heath, Lauren Cheney, Cat Reddick, and Kelley O'Hara, later played for the senior national team.
Team Uniforms Over the Years
The USWNT usually wears red, white, or blue uniforms, which are the colors of the U.S. flag. Sometimes they've worn other colors, like a gold shirt in 2007 or a black shirt in 2011. Nike has been the team's uniform supplier since 1995.
Since 1999, the USWNT has worn stars on their jerseys to show how many World Cup titles they've won. They started with two stars after their second win in 1999. A third star was added after their third World Cup title in July 2015.
1995
2011
2023
