When it comes to the Summer Olympics, there is one sport where the United States shines brightest: women’s soccer. Not only have the United States medaled in every Olympics since the women’s competition of the beautiful game was added to the international event in 1996, they have captured the gold at every Summer Olympics but one.
As the women’s tournament turns 20 years old at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, players with Sacramento region ties have been vital to the U.S.’s success on the pitch from the beginning. There have been at least two players with Sacramento area ties on the U.S. Women’s National Team for every Olympics since the sport was added in 1996.
When it comes to the Summer Olympics, there is one sport where the United States shines brightest: women’s soccer. Not only have the United States medaled in every Olympics since the women’s competition of the beautiful game was added to the international event in 1996, they have captured the gold at every Summer Olympics but one.
As the women’s tournament turns 20 years old at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, players with Sacramento region ties have been vital to the U.S.’s success on the pitch from the beginning. There have been at least two players with Sacramento area ties on the U.S. Women’s National Team for every Olympics since the sport was added in 1996.
The inaugural United States Women’s National Team squad for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics featured two players with ties to the Sacramento region: Tisha Venturini-Hoch, Brandi Chastain and team co-captain Julie Foudy.
A Modesto, Calif. native, Venturini attended Grace M. Davis High School before going on to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels. During the 1996 Olympics—Venturini’s only Olympics—the midfielder scored two goals in her five match appearances.
Meanwhile, team co-captain Foudy for her part played for local area team the Sacramento Storm (now California Storm), leading the club to the 1993, 1995 and 1997 California State Amateur championships. After winning gold in the 1996 Olympics alongside Venturini, Foudy went to capture a silver medal in 2000 and a second gold in 2004 alongside teammate Chastain.
Chastain—who recently attended a Sacramento Republic FC match in May—played in three Olympic games alongside Foudy. A San Jose native, Chastain spent the 2010 WPSL season playing for the California Storm and has made guest player appearances regularly with the club.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics saw a new wave of players represent the Sacramento region while winning gold with the U.S. Women’s National Team. Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart became the third California Storm player to roster for the Olympics, while defender Stephanie Cox became the first player who spent their youth career playing for a Sacramento region club. Cox, who was born in San Jose, played for the Elk Grove Pride while attending Elk Grove High School.
Forward Alex Morgan and midfielder Megan Rapinoe both made their Olympic debuts in 2012, where the U.S. once again captured gold. Rapinoe—who grew up in Redding—followed in the footsteps of Cox, spending her youth career with the Elk Grove Pride. During the 2012 London Summer Olympics, Rapinoe scored three goals and a team-high of four assists in six appearances.
The inaugural United States Women’s National Team squad for the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics featured two players with ties to the Sacramento region: Tisha Venturini-Hoch, Brandi Chastain and team co-captain Julie Foudy.
A Modesto, Calif. native, Venturini attended Grace M. Davis High School before going on to play for the North Carolina Tar Heels. During the 1996 Olympics—Venturini’s only Olympics—the midfielder scored two goals in her five match appearances.
Meanwhile, team co-captain Foudy for her part played for local area team the Sacramento Storm (now California Storm), leading the club to the 1993, 1995 and 1997 California State Amateur championships. After winning gold in the 1996 Olympics alongside Venturini, Foudy went to capture a silver medal in 2000 and a second gold in 2004 alongside teammate Chastain.
Chastain—who recently attended a Sacramento Republic FC match in May—played in three Olympic games alongside Foudy. A San Jose native, Chastain spent the 2010 WPSL season playing for the California Storm and has made guest player appearances regularly with the club.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics saw a new wave of players represent the Sacramento region while winning gold with the U.S. Women’s National Team. Goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart became the third California Storm player to roster for the Olympics, while defender Stephanie Cox became the first player who spent their youth career playing for a Sacramento region club. Cox, who was born in San Jose, played for the Elk Grove Pride while attending Elk Grove High School.
Forward Alex Morgan and midfielder Megan Rapinoe both made their Olympic debuts in 2012, where the U.S. once again captured gold. Rapinoe—who grew up in Redding—followed in the footsteps of Cox, spending her youth career with the Elk Grove Pride. During the 2012 London Summer Olympics, Rapinoe scored three goals and a team-high of four assists in six appearances.
Another California Storm alumni, Morgan played with the Storm in 2012 prior to the National Women’s Soccer League launch in 2012. Morgan ended the 2012 Olympics with three goals and a team-high of four assists in six appearances, tying Rapinoe.
Both Rapinoe and Morgan were named to the roster for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.
While the Olympics officially kick off August 5, the U.S. Women’s National Team begin their quest for another gold medal on August 3 in group play against New Zealand. Kickoff is 3 p.m. PST and will be broadcast live on NBCSN and NBC Universo.
Another California Storm alumni, Morgan played with the Storm in 2012 prior to the National Women’s Soccer League launch in 2012. Morgan ended the 2012 Olympics with three goals and a team-high of four assists in six appearances, tying Rapinoe.
Both Rapinoe and Morgan were named to the roster for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.
While the Olympics officially kick off August 5, the U.S. Women’s National Team begin their quest for another gold medal on August 3 in group play against New Zealand. Kickoff is 3 p.m. PST and will be broadcast live on NBCSN and NBC Universo.
