The U.S. women’s national soccer team held a special friendly on Saturday to both prepare for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics while celebrating the 25th anniversary of a key moment in the sport’s history.

The U.S. team — which currently features two former UNC stars — welcomed back members of the 1999 Women’s World Cup team which won the tournament as it was hosted in the United States. At the time, women’s game was still growing and it was only the third women’s World Cup held. The American team, which won off of penalty kicks against China to win the title on July 10, 1999, helped spur the sport forward and sparked widespread interest in both investment and opportunity around women’s soccer.

That 1999 team featured several UNC alumnae and stars, as the Tar Heels program was the best in the country — having won 14 NCAA Championships by the time Brandi Chastain’s penalty kick earned the U.S. its World Cup victory. Of the 20 players on the 1999 roster, eight were Tar Heels: Lorrie Fair, Carla Overbeck, Tiffany Roberts, Cindy Parlow Cone, Kristine Lilly, Tisha Venturini, Tracy Ducar, and — of course — Mia Hamm.

Ahead of the friendly, many of those players were recognized with a pre-game ceremony to honor the 25th anniversary and to celebrate the women’s accomplishments. The team wore custom “99ers” gear and retro-styled U.S. jerseys. Below are some photos of the event taken by Dakota Moyer:

Former United States women’s national team and North Carolina Tar Heels women’s soccer player Lorrie Fair (2) is introduced during a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
Former United States women’s national team and North Carolina Tar Heels women’s soccer players Carla Overbeck (4) and Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak (5) are introduced during a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
Former United States women’s national team and North Carolina Tar Heels women’s soccer player Mia Hamm (9) is introduced during a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
Former United States women’s national team and North Carolina Tar Heels women’s soccer player Mia Hamm (9) cheers on Julie Foudy (11) as she is introduced during a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
Former United States women’s national team and North Carolina Tar Heels women’s soccer players Mia Hamm (9) and Tracy Ducar (19) are introduced during a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
Members of the 1999 United States women’s national team lift the World Cup trophy during a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
Members of the 1999 United States women’s national team are introduced during a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
Members of the 1999 United States women’s national team are introduced during a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)

The U.S. defeated Mexico 1-0 in the friendly held in New Jersey at Red Bull Arena. Both current UNC alums, Emily Fox and Crystal Dunn, saw playing time as they are part of the roster heading to try and earn gold medals in Paris.

HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Emily Fox of the United States warms up prior to a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Crystal Dunn of the United States warms up prior to a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Emily Fox of the United States warms up prior to a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Crystal Dunn of the United States poses for a photo prior to a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Emily Fox of the United States stands for the national anthem prior to a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Emily Fox of the United States stands during the national anthem prior to a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Emily Fox of the United States looks for an open pass against Mexico during a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – JULY 12: Emily Fox of the United States passes the ball against Mexico during a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Emily Fox of the United States jumps for a header against Mexico during a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Crystal Dunn of the United States dribbles the ball against Mexico during a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – JULY 13: Emily Fox of the United States controls the ball against Mexico during a friendly match at Red Bull Arena on July 13, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)

The U.S. will hold one more tune-up friendly on Tuesday, as they will face Costa Rica before preparing for the games in France. The Americans will first face Zambia on July 25 before games against Germany and Australia to round out the group stage of Olympics play.

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