Women's Professional Soccer :: Brandi Chastain

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Brandi Chastain

Midfielder

Team: FC Gold Pride

Height: 5' 7"
Birth Date: 7/21/1968
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Previous Team: California Storm
How Acquired:
Selected by FC Gold Pride in the seventh round (45th overall) in the WPS Draft

International:

Chastain was a member of the US National team over 12 years between December 1988 and January 2004, collecting 192 caps. During that time, she served as a trailblazer for women's soccer as part of the golden decade of the US Women's National team during the 90's, one of the most dominant teams the sport has seen to date. She was a member for the 1991 and 1999 Women's World Cup Championship teams as well as the Olympic teams that brought home gold in 1996 and 2004 and silver in 2000.

The Bay Area native is best known for elevating the profile of women's soccer with her game winning penalty kick in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup that defeated China and ignited an explosive soccer following and increased participation in the sport.

College:

Chastain began her collegiate career in 1986 at the University of California (CAL), she was honored by Soccer America as the Freshman Player of the Year. Following her Freshman campaign, Chastain was forced to sit out for two years while recovering from reconstructive knee surgery on both knees. She returned to soccer in 1996 after transferring to the University of Santa Clara. There, she helped lead the Broncos to two NCAA College Cup Semi-Finals.

Club:

In 1993, Chastain took her game to Japan, playing for the Shiroki FC. Chastain was one of 24 founding players of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), she was a member of the San Jose CyberRays from 2001-2003. During the Inaugural season of the league, she helped the team capture the WUSA's World Championship title. She has also been a member of the California Storm since the mid 90's and still currently holds a place on the roster.

High School / Youth Club:

Chastain attended Arch Bishop Mitty High School in San Jose, CA where she helped the AMHS girls soccer team to three section championships. Brandi was a member of the U-2 team, Horizon, which was part of the Blossom Valley Soccer League in south San Jose. The team was coached by her father, Roger Chastain. When the Horizon dissolved, Brandi joined the U- 16 West Valley Cougars. She also played for the Under 16 ODP Northern California State team. When she was sixteen, Brandi was called to the youth national team. Later, she traveled with the ODP Northern California State team to play in Sweden and Denmark.

Personal:

Chastain has made the most of her time away from pitch becoming a published author of a book titled "It's Not about the Bra", serving as a soccer analyst on ABC/ESPN and NBC Sports coverage of MLS and Olympic soccer competition and remaining active on the field, playing for the California Storm of the WPSL.

Chastain currently resides in San Jose, CA with her husband Jerry Smith, current Head Coach of Santa Clara University's women's soccer team and their son Jayden.

1) What are the three things you can never be without while traveling?
Snacks, DVD's, and crossword puzzles.

2) If you didn't play professional soccer, what other profession would you want to try?
I would want to be a CEO of a girls/women's eco adventure/activities company.

3) What's your perfect day off?
Hitting the links with my husband, friends, and Jaden and then getting a hole in one.

4) What famous person most inspires you?
I think ordinary people who work hard, spend time with their children and spouses and still find time to impact their communities in positive ways are the people I admire most.

5) If you had a dinner party, who are the four people you would invite (can be living or dead)?
I would invite my parents, brother and husband because It's been a long time since we have all been together.

6) What's on your workout/pre-game iPod playlist?
Maestra Suzie, Cantemos in Spanish. It's Jaden's favorite and It's got me singing in Spanish.

7) What was your first job?
Handing out samples of products in supermarkets.

8) Do you have any pets?
Dogs

9) When did you start playing soccer?
I started playing at age 6.

10) What is your favorite thing about playing soccer?
EVERTHING; but mostly scoring goals!

11) Who is your favorite Soccer Player?
Eriko Arakawa.

12) Who is your favorite non-WPS team?
San Jose Earthquakes as I've been a supporter since the 70's.

13) If you had to sell all of your possessions, what is the one thing you couldn't part with?
As long as I have my family, my possessions don't mean anything (that is, as long as I could borrow someone's golf clubs).

14) What is something you always have in your soccer bag?
Hair bands, food, Chap Stick, extra gloves, sports bra, socks, and notes/goals about what I am trying to accomplish during training and games.

15) If you were stranded on a deserted island with one of your current FC Gold Pride teammates, who would it be and why?
Tiffany Milbrett because we go way back.

Quick Hits: List your three favorites:

TV Shows:
1) The Office
2) 30 Rock
3) Soccer/Sports

Places to Shop:
1) Grocery Store Zannotto's/Whole Foods
2) Mini Boden

Restaurants:
1) Tomo Sushi in So. San Jose
2) Straits Santana Row

Professional Athletes:
1) Steve Nash because he play's basketball like a soccer player and he's a SCU Bronco!
2) Tiger Woods because he loves to challenge himself to be better all the time and he let me hit his 2 Iron once.
3) Kerry Walsh because she is such an amazing person on top of being a ridiculous volleyball player and we went to the same high school.

Finish the sentence:

Aside from soccer, I'm really good at?
Giving High Fives.

No many people know that I can?
Sew.

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