The 2008 gold metal game is amongst mine. The individual performance by Solo and the overall team's willingness to defend as a unit for so long makes it one of my favorite games ever. But I'm someone who enjoys a real defensive battle.
1.) 2011 WWC - vs. Brazil (love the drama, love the underdog role, playing 10 vs. 11, down a goal) 2.) 1999 WWC - vs. China 3.) 2012 Olympics - vs. Canada 4.) 2008 Olympics - vs. Brazil 5.) 2012 Olympics - vs. Japan (revenge, retaliation, and redemption) 6.) 1999 WWC - vs. Germany (very underrated match on these lists) 7.) 1991 WWC - vs. Norway (the first title) 8.) 1996 Olympics - vs. China 9.) 1996 Olympics - vs. Norway 10.) 2011 WWC - vs. France (very close and intense match for 85 minutes or so)
Proof for why #1 on my list should be #1. ESPN has it as their #5 all-time greatest moment - in U.S. sports history. The only women's sporting event to be in the Top 10 on this list ..........
The WC 2011 US/Brazil wouldnt be my top game. Sure it had two brilliant shots in extra time but what else did it have. US offense didnt get a single goal in the first 121 minutes against a team with a questionable defense. Brazil was a player up for over 60 minutes and took no advantage. (The Marta goal was just a bit of her individual magic). It was also marred by all Brazil time wasting near the end. Prolly the best single moment in women's sports tho.
I'd have to say the US gymnast's (Strug?) vault on a sprained ankle in the 08 Olympics to secure team gold is right up there for top moments in women's sports
Strug? That moment was great and everything, but gymnastics just doesn't have the dramatics of a team sport such as soccer, football, basketball, etc. But we'll put Strug around #4 or #5, as it was against the powerhouse Russian team. Not to mention, the long touchdown pass to Selma Poonie in last year's Lingerie Football League championship game would have to rank up there in the Top 5 somewhere as well for a women's sporting event.
That moment, that whole gymnastics team event was definitely one of the most dramatic, if not the most dramatic women's sports moments I've ever seen. Although I disagree very much that it is the team aspect that makes sports dramatic, in '96, it was the team gold that USA Strug secured with her vault. As to the thread's original question, I think it has to be the 99' Women's World Cup final. There are games that I personally think were more entertaining and victories that meant more to me on a sentimental level but I think the greatest is still that US vs. China game and it's very hard for me to imagine something surpassing it.
I'm with JenM9. But, if I have to think of great women's sports results, I think of Joan Benoit's winning the first ever Olympics women's marathon. I mean, what could be better than a USA winner in an event everyone said for centuries that women never could complete?