March 7 (2001)

Seventeen-year-old Lori Chalupny earns the first cap of her career in the U.S. Women’s National Team’s 1-0 loss to Italy. As Chalupny’s career blossoms, Steven Goff of the Washington Post will write, “Astute observers of the sport consider her the most complete and versatile player in the esteemed (U.S. Women’s National Team) program.” A midfielder and, later in her USWNT career, a defender, she will earn 106 caps, score 10 goals, and help win Olympic and World Cup championships. Starting in 2009, she will miss five years from USWNT competition because of concussions. Nevertheless, she will continue to play professionally in domestic and international women’s leagues during her years away from the USWNT. She will return to the USWNT in late 2014 and will help the United States win the 2015 Women’s World Cup before retiring in late 2015. Her cap total will be more than any other player, male or female, in St. Louis soccer history except for current USWNT player Becky Sauerbrunn, who has 214. After retiring as a player, Chalupny will become the women’s head soccer coach at Maryville University.