The U.S. defeated China 2-1 to win the 1996 Olympic gold medal before a record crowd of 76,481 in Athens, Ga.
Former University of Portland teammates Shannon MacMillan and Tiffeny Milbrett each tallied for the U.S., which thwarted the Chinese attack in the final minutes to secure the gold in the inaugural women’s competition.
Mia Hamm was stretchered off the field in the 90th minute after possibly re-injuring her left ankle. Carin Gabarra replaced her.
The crowd was the largest ever to see a women’s soccer match.