By OkayGoal 
The USWNT has several ongoing and decades-long rivalries. One of those rivalries is between the USWNT and China. The two have been in a close competition for around four decades. Now, both national teams are preparing to meet in a friendly match on May 31 in St. Paul. Here is a look at the USWNT and China’s fierce football history.
USWNT and China: A Rivalry that Started in the 1990s
The rivalry between the USWNT and China began in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was at that time that women’s football was on the rise on the global stage. Perhaps one of the team’s most notable matches was during the 1995 Women’s World Cup. It took place in the group stage of the tournament and ended with a 3-3 draw. The two teams met again in the same competition during the third-place match, and the USWNT managed to beat China this time around with a 2-0 result.
An Iconic Final
This heated rivalry reached its peak during the 1999 Women’s World Cup final, which might be the most iconic match between the USWNT and China. It took place at the Rose Bowl in California, with a record-breaking crowd of around 90,000. At that time, this was quite the achievement, especially for a women’s sports event.
The match highlighted how close the two teams were in performance. They managed to keep the 0-0 draw result until full time and also during extra time. As the match headed to penalties, not many realized that history would soon be written. The USWNT managed to beat China, a.k.a. the Steel Roses, with a 5-4 result. The win wasn’t the only highlight, but also Brandi Chastain’s iconic celebration, which came after she managed to score the winning penalty. And still today, this celebration is an important moment in women’s soccer.
“Soccer hysteria spread through America as the Women appeared on every top news program, at the White House and on the cover of Time, Newsweek, People and Sports Illustrated,” wrote the official US Soccer website.
Everyone realized that this final changed the game forever. “But then at that final in the Rose Bowl – that women’s soccer got to play on that hallowed ground – I mean, it’s changed everything. We know that,” said Chastain to ESPN.
Reaching the Olympics
The rivalry between the USWNT and China kept going even during the Olympics. At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, the two teams met twice. The first time ended with a 0-0 draw in the group stage. The second time witnessed the USWNT winning the gold medal after beating China in a 2-1 victory. This win made the USWNT the winner of the inaugural Olympic gold medal in women’s soccer.
The two teams were close in performance, making them prominent contenders to win the 2008 Beijing Olympics. They didn’t meet during the competition, but the USWNT ended up winning the gold medal once again after defeating Brazil 1-0 in the final.
A Change in the Competition
The USWNT and China spent years being close competitors with not that much difference in performance. Just like the USWNT had unforgettable wins, China had some of its own, too. One match that China won was in December 2015 when they managed to beat the USWNT 1-0 in New Orleans. Many remember that match not just because of the result, but also because it was the final game for the USWNT legend Abby Wambach. The defeat also ended the USWNT’s unbeaten streak at home, which reached 104 matches according to The Guardian.
The USWNT Taking the Lead over China
As the years passed, some started to see that China’s performance wasn’t what it used to be. Suddenly, the USWNT started having the upper hand. By December 2023, the USWNT and China will have faced each other 60 times. The USWNT had 37 wins, 13 draws, and only nine losses. The rivalry still attracts fans, but the USWNT is now deemed the better side.
Two recent matches that still highlighted the rivalry were in December 2023. The two friendlies started with the first game on December 2 in Florida. Back then, the USWNT managed to defeat China with a 3-0 result. The goals came from Sophia Wilson, Lindsey Heaps, and Trinity Rodman. The second match took place on December 5 in Texas. This time, however, it was a close one. China managed to take the lead before halftime with a 1-0 result. The USWNT, however, managed to come back and win the game with two goals from Sam Coffey and Jaedyn Shaw.
Upcoming Matches Between USWNT and China
Now, the next step in the rivalry between China and the USWNT will be the upcoming friendly. The match will mark the 61st meeting between the two sides. With this, China is one of the USWNT’s closest rivals, coming after Canada. According to AS, China is the second most-faced opponent for the USWNT.
The game will be a great chance to see the rivalry and also see the USWNT prepare for upcoming titles, such as the qualifying stage for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Fans await what Emma Hayes has in store, especially with how she is changing the USWNT.
“I love these games because they combine some rich women’s soccer history with the present, with both countries going through transitions in preparation for ’27 World Cup qualifying. But our process continues and it’s a patient and comprehensive one. It’s up to our coaching staff to give players opportunities – opportunities they have earned – and it’s up to the players to show us they can perform at the highest levels. We are looking forward to seeing the players show their talents against an excellent team in two fantastic soccer venues,” said Hayes in the official announcement.
USWNT and China: A Rivalry That Will Never Die
Even if the USWNT was more dominant than China, that doesn’t mean their matches are easy to anticipate. There is always some kind of surprise. From 1999 until today, the USWNT and China have provided fans with one of the game’s fiercest rivalries. It has been a long history of mutual respect and great competition. The rivalry will keep on going in the upcoming years, including the next friendly. It’s the kind of rivalry that will never die.
Featured image via Getty Images
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