Space may be man’s final frontier, but the United States Women’s National Soccer Team has already taken their place in the stars. Offered in this lot is a red 1999 USWNT jersey from legend Michelle Akers from the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup later taken by NASA astronaut Commander Eileen Collins aboard the space shuttle Columbia during mission STS-93. Akers, a two-time World Cup champion, was the tournament Bronze Ball winner in 1999 as she led the United States to victory over China in the tournament final at the Rose Bowl. The commanding midfielder scored the game-tying goal in the semifinals that allowed the United States to reach the finals for the first time since 1991 in her final major international tournament.

The 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup reached its conclusion on July 10th, and the Columbia was launched, with Akers’ jersey aboard, on July 23rd, remaining in space for four days, 22 hours, 49 minutes, and 34 seconds. The Columbia was delivering a record-sized payload, including the groundbreaking Chandra X-Ray Observatory, with Commander Collins serving as the first female space shuttle commander. The French and American crew made 80 orbits of the earth before returning to the John F. Kennedy Space Center safe and sound.

This historic jersey is a true piece of American history and a one-of-a-kind find. It is red, with the USWNT logo applied on the left chest and a Nike logo applied to the right. “AKERS” is applied to the back shoulders in white over a white and blue “10”. A second “10” is applied to the chest, also in white and blue, while “3-FIFA Women’s World Cup / USA 1999” is embroidered below the USWNT logo in white. Collins has signed the right shoulder of this jersey in black marker, inscribing “STS 93” above her signature. The jersey comes with a LOA from Michelle Akers and a LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication. A portion of the proceeds shall benefit the Michelle Akers Horse Rescue & Outreach. This offered jersey is currently being displayed at the Soccer Hall of Fame and will be shipped to the winning bidder at the conclusion of the auction. If the winning bidder chooses, an arrangement can be made to loan the jersey back to the museum.

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