# 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup final

> ABC reported 17.975 million viewers for the USA's shootout win over China.

- Owner: FIFA; U.S. Soccer / USWNT
- Kind: Moment
- Sector: Sports
- Seed date: 1999-07-10
- Observed peak date: 1999-07-10
- Date basis: Observed peak within the documented measurement window; not an all-time maximum.
- Spread Score: 42 (Notable, provisional), v1.2
- Mechanics: Real-world spectacle, Platform jump, Controversy, Transgression, Political adoption

## Summary

The USA beat China on penalties at the Rose Bowl. ABC reported 17.975 million average viewers, and Chastain's celebration reached magazine covers. The team gained victory bonuses, and the image returned in a documentary and a statue.

## Timeline

- 1999-07-10 — USA and China national teams (TV) — The USA beat China 5-4 on penalties, and Chastain celebrated by removing her jersey.
- 1999-07-10 — Observed peak: ABC viewers / Nielsen (TV) — ABC's largest measured half-hour audience reached 24.892 million from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.
- 1999-07-11 — CBS News (Press) — CBS reported the title win and Briana Scurry's penalty save.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/1999-womens-world-cup

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “1999 FIFA Women's World Cup final.” Case HIS-01411. Spread Score v1.2: 42/100. Updated 2026-10-23. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-01411