It's no easy to task to encapsulate the legendary career of former U.S. Women's National Team defender and captain Christie Rampone. Still, we tried. Here we break down 20 years of success and a remarkable career for the one they called Capatain America.
U.S. WNT
- As Christie Pearce, she made her debut on Feb. 28, 1997 vs. Australia. Her final game for the USA came on Sept. 20, 2015 vs. Haiti during the WNT’s Victory Tour.
- Rampone was a 19-year member of the U.S. Women’s National Team.
- Known as Captain American and America’s No. 1 Soccer Mom for the latter part of her career, she captained the USA from 2008-15.
- The Point Pleasant, N.J., native officially says goobye to the WNT after compiling 311 caps – second all-time in U.S. Soccer and world history behind former teammate Kristine Lilly.
- Though she played most as a center back for the USA, she played some flank midfield very early in her career and scored four goals with 12 assists.
- Rampone played an astounding 24,011 minutes in U.S. a uniform. She was the first player and so far only player to play more than 3,000 minutes in a calendar year (3,066 in 2008).
- She started 272 of 311 career appearances, good for second all-time in WNT history.
- Over her 311 games, she played in just 20 losses as the USA was 253-20-38 with her on the field.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- Rampone was a member of four Olympic Teams, the most for a U.S. WNT player in program history. She was a gold medalist in Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, and took home silver in Sydney 2000.
- She was a member of five Women’s World Cup teams, one of only two U.S. WNT players to achieve that remarkable feat. She is a two-time WWC champion, winning in 1999 and 2015.
- In 2015, she became the oldest player to play in a World Cup Final at 40 years, 11 days old. She was already the oldest player to play in a Women’s World Cup tournament. It’s a record likely to stand for years.
MILESTONES
- Rampone earned her 300th cap on Oct. 24, 2014 vs. Mexico during CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying.
- Her 200th cap came on Aug. 12, 2008 vs. New Zealand.
- She reached 100 games played on July 12, 2003 vs. Brazil.
- During her career with the WNT, Rampone became a mother and had two daughters: Rylie (Born: Sept. 29, 2005) and Reece (Born: March 6, 2010).
