International Career
Unitt first played for England in 2000, after 16 appearances for the U18s. Her senior debut came in August 2000, in a 1–0 friendly defeat to France, before 50,000 spectators at Stade Vélodrome. She scored her first international goal in England’s victory over the Netherlands in September 2004, and scored twice more in her home town of Walsall during England's 4–1 friendly win over the Czech Republic in May 2005.
Unitt was named the Nationwide International Player of the Year at the 2004 FA Women’s Football Awards. She won the same award in 2006, voted for by the fans on the FA website.
In May 2009, Unitt was one of the first 17 female players to be given central contracts by the Football Association.
At the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China, Unitt was the only outfield member of the England squad who remained unused. On the occasion of her 90th cap, she eventually made a World Cup debut in June 2011, starting England's 1–1 draw with Mexico in Wolfsburg. In March 2012 a Euro 2013 qualifier in Croatia saw Unitt win her 100th international cap. Captain for the day, Unitt scored England's third goal in a 6–0 victory, with a diving header.
Read more about this topic: Rachel Unitt
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—Lewis H. Lapham (b. 1935)