Brandi Chastain, a renowned American soccer player, was born on July 21, 1968, in San Jose, California, to Lark and Roger Chastain. Growing up, she developed a passion for soccer, playing with her younger brother, Chad, and other boys, a trend she continued throughout her high school years.
Following her high school graduation, Brandi attended the University of California, Berkeley from 1986 to 1988, before transferring to Santa Clara University from 1989 to 1991. During her time at Santa Clara, she majored in television communication and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.
At Santa Clara, Brandi began playing soccer as a forward, but an accident in practice forced her to relearn the game with her left foot, as she had injured her right ankle. It was during this period that she met Jerry Smith, her coach at the time, who would later become her husband.
After being discovered by the coach of the US Women's National Team, Brandi began playing in international tournaments, including the 1991 Women's World Cup. Her college years also marked the beginning of her relationship with Jerry Smith, who taught her the importance of defense, leading her to transition from playing forward to defense.
In 1998, Brandi and Jerry Smith got married, and she gained a step-son, Cameron. Throughout her career, she has been a long-time starter for the USWNT, winning two World Cups, Olympic gold and silver medals, and captaining the San Jose CyberRays for three years during the Women's United Soccer Association's (WUSA) operation.
