Brandi Chastain Says U.S. Men Can ‘Rise To The Occasion’ Against Netherlands On Saturday

Just like every diehard soccer fan right now, USA soccer legend Brandi Chastain is feeling the buzz of the World Cup. I spoke to her the morning after the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) beat Iran 1-0, Tuesday, November 29.

“It’s a great day,” she said. “The U.S. is through to the next round of the World Cup!”

After one win and two draw in the World Cup’s Group Stage, the USMNT advanced from Group B with their win Tuesday. They take on the Netherlands in the Round of 16, Saturday, Dec. 3 at 8 A.M. EST.

Some 12 years after hanging up her own cleats as a professional player, Chastain is largely known now as one of soccer’s most enthusiastic ambassadors. Since her days on the field as a defensive player for clubs in both the United States and abroad, Chastain spends much of her time these days talking up the game in promotional events, and as an occasional broadcast voice.

Immediately after becoming an international superstar, helping the U.S. Women’s National Team win the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Chastain took up live game commentary for NBC Sports, where she also covered soccer in both the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. After that, Chastain, later signed on with ABC and ESPN to cover Major League Soccer matches and Women’s World Cups.

But Chastain’s biggest love may very well be promoting the game. She has a special place in her heart for coaching America’s youth, especially girls and young women.

Leading right up to this month’s World Cup, Chastian and longtime teammate Julie Foudy joined others to partner with Frito-Lay and the U.S. Soccer Foundation on a new initiative.

The “All-In with Frito-Lay” program aims to increase equity in soccer by through training for young athletes and coaches. The Plano, Texas-based conglomerate announced it has committed $1 million to run soccer clinics for young players.

In partnering up with the effort, Chastain said, “I saw immediately the alignment with the ambition I have to share soccer and make soccer more accessible in communities across this country.”

Chastain, a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, surprised more than 200 young soccer players by lacing up her cleats to coach and run drills with freestyle soccer stars Frankie Flo, DJ Diveny, Hayley Gonzales and Caitlyn Schrepfer.

The practice session, which took place Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Rio Hondo Park in Pico Rivera, California, was an interactive session that focused on playing in small spaces as well as footwork and passing, and trick shots.

The partnership, Chastain said, also has $600,000 set aside for the purpose of training a new generation of soccer coaches.

“As someone who has a high ambition to coach, I definitely wanted to be involved. And also the fact that these coaches and mentors will access up to 30,000 young athletes across the country hits home for me.”

Chastain added that today’s young players will then go on to be mentors, growing United States’ future in the game.

But for this upcoming weekend, Chastain says she’s laser-focused on watching the USMNT take on the Netherlands tomorrow. In our Zoom interview Wednesday, I asked Chastain about her time playing at the top level and what her thoughts are on the United States’ team in this World Cup.

Andy Frye: In the World Cup it seems like a long history of winning—think Brazil or France—weighs heavily.

But can the USMNT rise to the occasion in the knockout stages?

Brandi Chastain: I think they can rise to the occasion. That’s an easy answer—yes. Looking at the Netherlands, this is not the Johan Cruyff team or the (head coach Marco) Van Basten team. Yes, historically, some (national) teams have an advantage, especially in the way they’ve shaped the game.

But going back to access to soccer’s resources—to good coaching, to information on how other teams succeed in the game—that becomes universal. This Dutch team, you better believe that they are feeling the same pressure that the U.S. Men are feeling. But there’s also that aspect of having to live up to the traditions and culture of their past teams.

There’s pressure on both sides. I think Christian Pulisic’s health will be a determining factor (for the USA). He’s a necessary piece to our puzzle. But if he’s not available, the next guy has to step up.

AF: Some of the best national teams, like the Netherlands and France, have had great success bringing on players from diverse backgrounds—and some as immigrants in those countries.

Is diversity an asset when it comes to building national teams?

Chastain: If you look at the U.S. Men’s National Team, you look at the talent from different places and backgrounds. And I see that threaded through all of the teams in the World Cup. Australia (who advanced, to face Argentina Saturday) is another example of success from having a much more diverse team than they ever have.

The beauty of accessibility is that it is a gateway to ideas, openness, and opportunity. When we deliver access to soccer more communities, we have a chance to see soccer grow in a way it hasn’t before.

AF: How important was it over the past decade for the U.S. Women’s Team to have a female coach like Jill Ellis coaching?

Chastain: I think there is some sort of understanding that’s there—you just have, without words sometimes. You simply understand each other. You understand the place where you are. I think there’s some validity to that. But I don’t think it’s necessary that women have a female coach.

But think that being an American soccer coach in our landscape is incredibly difficult. Let’s look at (USMNT head coach) Gregg Burkhalter. The men have advanced, and it wasn’t easy, and never is and never will be. In the U.S., we have such a large challenge in such a big country with so many coaching styles and ways. It’s also hard at the highest level to evaluate talent. But I do think giving greater access to soccer will make the U.S. more competitive over time.

AF: The legendary 1999 team had so many personalities. How did you connect with more introverted players like Mia Hamm?

Chastain: Unspoken communication is the “secret sauce” that soccer delivers. There were times that Mia and I locked eyes on the field, and immediately we were on the same page. It has nothing to do with her position, it has nothing to do with where she came from or how much money she had growing up. It had to do with the connections that we made through practice time and then through the moment on the field together.

Whenever we achieved something, we looked at each other like, “Mmm-hmm, we just did that.” There’s a nod, or a smile or wink. And I’m sure you’ve seen this throughout these World Cup games, where you get a glimpse into the connection that happens between players.

The U.S. Men’s team is fascinating in that you know that the players come from different places, but they all know how to rely on each other. That’s the language of soccer.