By Mark Passaro

Shannon Boxx has been a mainstay on the U.S. national soccer team since 2003. She has two Olympic gold medals to show among her many achievements on the international stage, as well as a lifetime of memories in helping maintain the Americans’ lofty status in the women’s game.
What she doesn’t have -- not yet, at least -- is what all soccer players who pull on their countries’ colors and compete in the biggest tournament of them all ever want: a World Cup title.

The experience, toughness and smarts Boxx provides at the midfield position should serve the Americans well as they embark upon upholding their No. 1 world ranking. Boxx has started 139 of her 145 career games with the U.S. national team, a force on both defense and, with 22 career goals, on the attack. She immediately established herself in the 2003 World Cup, starting all five matches and scoring twice, including a goal in the third-place-clinching win. Boxx also represented the U.S. in the 2007 World Cup and once again helped the Americans finish third.
The U.S. won the inaugural 1991 Cup and also came away champions in 1999.

Name: Shannon Leigh Boxx

Born: June 29, 1977 in Fontana, Calif.

Road to stardom:
A star at Notre Dame from 1995 to 1999, Boxx is one of 12 players in Fighting Irish history with at least 30 career goals and 30 career assists. As a freshman, she helped the school win its first NCAA women’s soccer title, and the team was 89-8-4 overall during her four years there. Her pro career began in 2001 and has included stints in the Women’s United Soccer Associati

Career highlights: Was picked for the 2003 World Cup team without ever playing an international match with the U.S., an unprecedented occurrence ... scored goals in first two career games with national team.

Personal: Nickname is “Boxxy” ... sister Gillian won a gold medal in softball at the 1996 Olympics.