Brandi Chastain Invited to U.S. Women's National Soccer Team

Brandi Chastain, the American soccer player perhaps best known for scoring the penalty kick in the 1999 Women's World Cup final that led the U.S. to championship glory, has returned to the national team. Chastain is one of 20 players selected to represent the national team in the prestigious Algarve Cup. The tournament will begin next Sunday in Portugal. The U.S. women's national soccer team will face athletes from France, Denmark, and Sweden in the opening or preliminary round of the Algarve Cup. Last week, Brandi Chastain did not play for the U.S. team, which was striving to qualify for the Summer Olympics. This American sports star had suffered a leg injury during the last World Cup. Additionally, the U.S. women's team secured their place in the Summer Games by winning the regional tournament last week. The United States is the defending champion of the Algarve Cup. Among other players selected by head coach April Heinrichs are soccer stars Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Abby Wambach, Briana Scurry, and Cindy Parlow. Other players include Kylie Buns, Kristi Rampone, Cat Reddick, Shannon Boxx, Shannon McMillan, Ali Wagner, Kate Markgraf, Siri Mullinix, and Angela Hackles.