Netflix’s upcoming sports drama The 99ers has added six new cast members to portray key players from the historic 1999 U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team — including Shaunette Renée Wilson, who will step into the role of legendary goalkeeper Briana Scurry.
Wilson joins Julia McDermott as Brandi Chastain, Perry Mattfeld as Michelle Akers, Annabel O’Hagan as Carla Overbeck, Lizzy Greene as Kristine Lilly, and Isabelle Fuhrman as Joy Fawcett.
As previously reported, Zoey Deutch leads the film as trailblazing U.S. soccer executive Marla Messing, who oversaw the record-breaking 1999 Women’s World Cup tournament. Emily Bader will portray Mia Hamm, Emilia Jones as Julie Foudy, and Alessandro Nivola as head coach Tony DiCicco.
Why This Casting Matters
Scurry’s role in the 1999 World Cup was pivotal. Her penalty kick save against China in the final helped secure the championship in front of more than 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl — a moment that helped cement women’s soccer as a global force. Casting Wilson, known for her commanding screen presence in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, signals the weight the film is placing on honoring that legacy.
Based on Jeré Longman’s 2000 book The Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team and How It Changed the World, the film chronicles the team’s journey through the 1999 tournament, culminating in their dramatic shootout victory. That win didn’t just break attendance and TV viewership records — it shifted the business, visibility, and cultural respect for women’s sports in America.
Nicole Kassell directs from a script by Katie Lovejoy, Dana Stevens, and Peter Hedges. Liza Chasin produces for 3Dot Productions under its deal with Netflix, alongside Hayley Stool and Ross Greenburg. Messing, Jill Mazursky, and Krista Smith serve as executive producers.
With this latest casting round, The 99ers continues building a roster that reflects both the athletic excellence and cultural impact of the team that changed the game — on and off the field.