Rampone Would Become Just Second Player in Soccer History to Hit 300 Caps if She Plays
Tonight vs. Mexico in the Semifinal of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship
CHICAGO (Oct. 24, 2014) – U.S. Women’s National Team captain Christie Rampone is set to earn her historic 300th cap should she play tonight against Mexico in the semifinal of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship at PPL Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Rampone, who debuted for the USA in 1997, would become just the second player in soccer history to play 300 times for their country, following former teammate Kristine Lilly who finished her illustrious career with a world record 352 games from 1987-2010.
Rampone, 39, is currently the most-capped active player in the world. Even more remarkable, she is a rare player who has achieved international success with the USA after playing at a small soccer school. She was a two-sport star at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey, where she was also the starting point guard on the basketball team. As a college striker, she scored 79 career goals.
She became a defender for the U.S. team under then-head coach Tony DiCicco, and aside from a brief stint at flank midfielder, has played on the back line since.
Rampone was named captain by former head coach Pia Sundhage in 2008, and since then, the USA has compiled an 88-8-13 record with the New Jersey native wearing the armband.
Additional Notes:
- Rampone has played in four FIFA Women’s World Cups (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011) and four Olympic Games (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012) with the USA.
- She has played the most games in her career against Canada (29), followed by China PR (27), Brazil (22) and Mexico (22).
- Rampone has played for the USA in 134 cities in the USA and around the world.
- She has earned caps in 17 different countries and 32 different U.S. states plus the District of Columbia.
- Rampone has four career goals, two of them coming against Iceland on April 5, 2000.
- Rampone has played for six U.S. WNT coaches, with the most games coming under Pia Sundhage (93).
- She has played 157 friendly matches and 142 matches in various tournaments, including 22 Olympic matches and 17 Women’s World Cup matches.
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