When A Game Hangs

WHEN A GAME HANGS in the balance, a coach must have faith that the players will execute the plan and come away with a victory. In the 1999 Women’s World Cup, Brandi Chastain proved that her coach’s faith was well-founded.

The American national soccer team drew China in the championship contest. More than 90,000 fans packed the Rose Bowl to cheer on the country’s newest heroines.

But the Chinese provided formidable opposition. Through 90 minutes of regulation, the contest remained knotted in a scoreless tie. Then neither team could score in two 15-minute overtime periods as a United States defensive play prevented a China victory. With goalie Briana Scurry out of position, Kristine Lilly blocked a Fan Yunjie header off the goal line with her head in the 100th minute.

Moving to penalty kicks as the tiebreaker, U.S. coach Tony DiCicco selected team captain Carla Overbeck, Joy Fawcett, Lilly, Mia Hamm, and Chastain as his five kickers. Chastain replaced Michelle Akers, DiCicco’s normal choice, after the veteran sustained a head injury in the game’s late stages.

The United States caught a break on China’s third attempt when Scurry deflected Liu Ying’s shot wide of the net. The two teams were tied 4–4 with no Chinese players remaining as Chastain lined up against goalkeeper Gao Hong and blasted the ball past Hong for the winning goal. In a moment of jubilation, the California native fell to her knees, held her arms aloft, and shouted to the heavens.

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POINT Coach DiCicco trusted Brandi Chastain with that final penalty kick. Fortunately she proved faithful as she won the game.

God is always faithful. Because he loves us, the Lord sent Jesus to earth to die for our wrongs. When we put our faith in Christ, he redeems us and offers us eternity with him. There is never any worrying about what the outcome will be. We don’t have to fret on the sidelines like Coach DiCicco, wondering if we’re going to win. We are guaranteed blessings when we put our faith in Jesus.

GOAL! Write down some good definitions for faith and trust. Check a dictionary if you get stuck.