Michelle Akers

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Use American English Template:Infobox football biography

Michelle Anne Akers (formerly Akers-Stahl; born February 1, 1966) is an American former soccer player who starred in the 1991 and 1999 Women's World Cup and 1996 Olympics victories by the United States. At the 1991 World Cup, she won the Golden Shoe as the top scorer, with ten goals.

Akers is regarded as one of the greatest female soccer players in history.[1][2][3] She was named FIFA Female Player of the Century in 2002, an award she shared with China's Sun Wen.[4][5] In 2004, Akers and Mia Hamm were the only two women named to the FIFA 100, a list of the 125 greatest living soccer players selected by Pelé and commissioned by FIFA for that organization's 100th anniversary.

Akers is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, inducted in 2004.[6]

Early life

Born to Robert and Anne Akers in Santa Clara, California[7] on February 1, 1966, Akers grew up in the Seattle, Washington suburb of Shoreline, where she attended and played soccer for Shorecrest High School.[8] Early in her career, she was not sure whether she was willing to do the training necessary to excel. After losing a youth game, she was frustrated and walked off the field in tears. Her father asked her "Did you have fun". Her answer was "yes" which led to the realization that this was the real reason she played, and that helped turn her into the fierce competitor she became.[7] She was named an All-American three times during her high school career.[8] At Script error: No such module "convert". in height and Script error: No such module "convert"., Akers had an imposing physical presence on the soccer field and was noted for her aggressive and physical style of play.[9]

University of Central Florida

Akers attended the University of Central Florida on a scholarship where she was selected as four-time NCAA All-American.[8] She was Central Florida's Athlete of the Year in 1988–89, was the all-time leading scorer in UCF history,[8] won the Hermann Trophy in 1988 as the nation's top college soccer player,[8] and had her #10 jersey retired by the school.[10]

International career

Akers was a member of the 1985 United States women's national soccer team (USWNT) for its first-ever game, at a tournament in Italy in August 1985. Due to an ankle injury, she did not play in the first game. However, in the U.S.'s second-ever international game, she scored the first goal in the history of the program, in a 2–2 tie against Denmark.[11]

Akers scored 15 goals in 24 games for the U.S. from 1985 to 1990, before scoring a team-record 39 goals in 26 games in the 1991 season. In 1990 and 1991 she was named the Female Athlete of the Year by the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).[8] Akers was also the lead scorer in the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup in China in 1991, scoring ten goals, including five in one game.[8] This led the U.S. women's team to the first women's world championship, defeating Norway 2–1 in the final. Akers scored both U.S. goals in the final.[12][13]

Throughout most of her career, Akers was afflicted by chronic fatigue syndrome, repeatedly considering retirement only to continue playing in some of U.S. Soccer's most significant matches.[14]

After the 1991 World Cup, she shifted from striker to central midfielder, in part to minimize the beatings doled out by opposing defenders. Despite the precautions, Akers suffered a concussion and a knee injury early in the 1995 World Cup, and was hampered by the knee in the U.S.'s semifinal loss to Norway.[15][16]

In 1996, Akers was again a member of the U.S. women's national team at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, where it won the first gold medal in Olympic Women's Soccer. She played with a torn medial collateral ligament in the holding central midfielder role, anchoring the team's defense, dominating in the air, and playmaking out of the back to maintain possession and generate goal-scoring opportunities. After the tournament her knee required reconstructive surgery for the third time. She was also a member of the gold medal-winning 1998 Goodwill Games team. On June 7, 1998, she was awarded the FIFA Order of Merit, FIFA's highest honor in the global game of soccer, for her contributions to the game of soccer on and off the field; she was the first woman ever to receive it. Akers again was a leader and member of the 1999 Women's World Cup team, where the team won their second World Cup championship. Despite playing with a dislocated shoulder, caused by a fan in the quarterfinals,[17] she was awarded the Bronze Ball of the tournament by FIFA.[18]

Shortly before the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Akers retired from the game due to injuries incurred before and during the 1999 FIFA World Cup. She was the U.S. national team's second all-time leading scorer (behind Mia Hamm) with 105 goals, 37 assists and 247 points.[19]

Coaching career

On January 19, 2022, the Orlando Pride announced Akers as an assistant coach for the 2022 season, serving under head coach Amanda Cromwell. She also served in a player development and mentorship role, and assisted with community outreach.[20]

Personal life

From 1990 to 1994, she was married and was known as Michelle Akers-Stahl.[21] Later she married again (2003–2007) and had a son in Orlando, Florida.[22] She has had several horses since 1996 and runs a horse rescue ranch on Script error: No such module "convert". in Powder Springs, Georgia, with her son Cody.[23][24]

Since her retirement from the USWNT in 2000, she has also continued to promote the game of soccer as a spokesperson, advocate, and leader on various platforms.[25][26]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
United States[27] 1985 2 2
1986 5 0
1987 9 3
1988 2 0
1990 6 9
1991 26 39
1993 12 6
1994 12 11
1995 20 17
1996 17 7
1997 2 1
1998 15 5
1999 20 6
2000 7 1
Total 155 107

International goals

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. August 21, 1985 Jesolo, Italy Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–? 2–2 Friendly
2. August 23, 1985 Caorle, Italy Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–? 1–3
3. December 16, 1987 Taipei, Taiwan Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 6–0
4. December 19, 1987 Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 4–0
5. ?–0
6. July 25, 1990 Winnipeg, Canada Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 4–0
7. July 29, 1990 Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–2 4–2
8. August 5, 1990 Blaine, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–0 8–0
9. ?–0
10. ?–0
11. August 9, 1990 Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 3–0
12. ?–0
13. August 11, 1990 Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–0 3–0
14. ?–0
15. April 1, 1991 Varna, Bulgaria Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–0 8–0
16. ?–0
17. ?–0
18. April 2, 1991 Script error: No such module "flagg". 3–0 3–0
19. April 5, 1991 Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 2–0
20. April 7, 1991 Script error: No such module "flagg". 3–0 5–0
21. 4–0
22. 5–0
23. April 18, 1991 Port-au-Prince, Haiti Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 12–0 1991 CONCACAF Women's Championship
24. 4–0
25. April 20, 1991 Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–0 12–0
26. ?–0
27. April 22, 1991 Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–0 10–0
28. ?–0
29. April 25, 1991 Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–0 10–0
30. ?–0
31. April 28, 1991 Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 5–0
32. 2–0
33. 5–0
34. May 18, 1991 Lyon, France Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–0 4–0 Friendly
35. May 25, 1991 Hirson, France Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–? 3–1
36. May 30, 1991 Kaiserslautern, Germany Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 4–2
37. 4–2
38. August 4, 1991 Changchun, China Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–? 1–2
39. August 8, 1991 Yanji, China Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–? 2–2
40. August 10, 1991 Anshan, China Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 3–0
41. 2–0
42. 3–0
43. October 12, 1991 Fairfax, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 2–0
44. November 19, 1991 Guangzhou, China Script error: No such module "flagg". 4–0 5–0 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup
45. November 21, 1991 Foshan, China Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 3–0
46. 2–0
47. November 24, 1991 Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 7–0
48. 2–0
49. 3–0
50. 5–0
51. 6–0
52. November 30, 1991 Guangzhou, China Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 2–1
53. 2–1
54. March 11, 1993 Agia, Cyprus Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 2–0 Friendly
55. June 12, 1993 Cincinnati, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 6–0 7–0
56. 7–0
57. June 21, 1993 Pontiac, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 3–0 3–0
58. August 6, 1993 New Hyde Park, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–0 9–0 1993 CONCACAF Women's Invitational Tournament
59. ?–0
60. April 14, 1994 San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 4–1 Friendly
61. 2–0
62. April 17, 1994 Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 3–0
63. July 31, 1994 Fairfax, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 2–1
64. August 7, 1994 Worcester, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–? 4–1
65. August 13, 1994 Montreal, Canada Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–0 9–0 1994 CONCACAF Women's Championship
66. ?–0
67. August 17, 1994 Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–1 11–1
68. August 19, 1994 Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–0 10–0
69. ?–0
70. August 21, 1994 Script error: No such module "flagg". 6–0 6–0
71. January 20, 1995 Phoenix, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–0 5–0 Friendly
72. January 23, 1995 Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–? 4–1
73. February 24, 1995 Orlando, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–0 7–0
74. ?–0
75. ?–0
76. March 19, 1995 Quarteira, Portugal Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 3–3 Template:Aet (2–4 p) 1995 Algarve Cup
77. April 11, 1995 Poissy, France Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 3–0 Friendly
78. April 12, 1995 Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 5–0
79. April 28, 1995 Decatur, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 2–0
80. April 30, 1995 Davidson, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 6–0
81. May 14, 1995 Portland, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–? 4–1
82. ?–?
83. May 19, 1995 Dallas, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 3–0 9–1
84. 4–1
85. July 30, 1995 New Britain, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 7–0 9–0 1995 Women's U.S. Cup
86. 9–0
87. August 3, 1995 Piscataway, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". ?–? 4–2
88. January 13, 1996 Campinas, Brazil Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 8–1 Friendly
89. February 2, 1996 Tampa, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–1 3–2
90. April 20, 1996 Fullerton, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 6–0 6–0
91. April 26, 1996 St. Louis, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 4–1
92. April 28, 1996 Indianapolis, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 6–0 8–2
93. May 18, 1996 Washington, D.C., United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 1–0 1996 Women's U.S. Cup
94. July 28, 1996 Athens, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–1 2–1 Template:Aet 1996 Summer Olympics
95. November 1, 1997 Chattanooga, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 3–0 3–1 Friendly
96. March 15, 1998 Olhão, Portugal Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 2–0 1998 Algarve Cup
97. April 24, 1998 Fullerton, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 3–1 8–1 Friendly
98. April 26, 1998 San Jose, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 3–0 7–0
99. July 25, 1998 Hempstead, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 5–0 1998 Goodwill Games
100. September 20, 1998 Richmond, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 3–0 1998 Women's U.S. Cup
101. January 27, 1999 Orlando, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 3–0 7–0 Friendly
102. January 30, 1999 Fort Lauderdale, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 6–0
103. April 22, 1999 Hershey, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 2–1
104. April 29, 1999 Charlotte, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 1–0 9–0
105. 2–0
106. June 24, 1999 Chicago, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 5–1 7–1 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup
107. July 4, 1999 Stanford, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 2–0 2–0
108. August 13, 2000 Annapolis, United States Script error: No such module "flagg". 4–1 7–1 Friendly

[28] [29]

See also

Script error: No such module "Portal".

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ a b c d e f g Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Miller, Marla All-American Girls New York: Pocket Books, 1999, pp. 14–15.
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ "US WNT Flashback – 20th Anniversary of First-Ever Match: Who Scored First?" http://www.ussoccer.com/News/Womens-National-Team/2005/08/U-S-WNT-Flashback-20th-Anniversary-Of-First-Ever-Match-Who-Scored-First.aspx Script error: No such module "webarchive"., accessed October 3, 2012.
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Michelle Akers Biography http://www.biography.com/people/michelle-akers-21321911#national-superstar Script error: No such module "webarchive".
  16. ↑ Michelle Akers enjoying life after soccer http://www.cfs-info.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=712&Itemid=79 Script error: No such module "webarchive".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Wahl, Grant, "Green Acres", Sports Illustrated, July 4, 2011, pp. 98–101.
  25. ↑ Cardenas, Natalia. Michelle Akers. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  26. ↑ Scavuzzo, Diane. (June 12, 2015). Women in Soccer: Michelle Akers. Script error: No such module "webarchive". Goal Nation. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Some scorelines in the goal log above are courtesy of RSSSF: Script error: No such module "citation/CS1"., others via Canada Soccer archive e.g.: Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Sources disagree on whether Akers scored vs Hungary on April 3, 1991, or whether Wendy Gebauer got 2 that day. Compare Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". (credits Gebauer), vs RSSSF: Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". (credits Akers-Stahl)

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Match reports

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Further reading

  • Grainey, Timothy (2012), Beyond Bend It Like Beckham: The Global Phenomenon of Women's Soccer, University of Nebraska Press, Template:ISBN
  • Kassouf, Jeff (2011), Girls Play to Win Soccer, Norwood House Press, Template:ISBN
  • LaFontaine, P.; Valutis, E.; Griffin, C.; Weisman, L. (2001), Companions in Courage: Triumphant Tales of Heroic Athletes, Hatchette Digital Inc., Template:ISBN
  • Lisi, Clemente A. (2010), The U.S. Women's Soccer Team: An American Success Story, Scarecrow Press, Template:ISBN
  • Longman, Jere (2009), The Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team and How it Changed the World, HarperCollins, Template:ISBN
  • Mitchell, N.; Ennis, L. (2007) Encyclopedia of Title IX and Sports, Greenwood Publishing Group, Template:ISBN
  • Rutledge, Rachel (2000), The Best of the Best in Soccer, First Avenue Editions, Template:ISBN
  • Silverman, Al (2004), It's Not Over 'til it's Over, Penguin, Template:ISBN

External links

Script error: No such module "navboxes". Template:US Soccer Athlete Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Soccer America Women's Player of the Year navbox Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:National Soccer Hall of Fame members Script error: No such module "navbox". Template:FIFA Women's World Cup Golden Shoe Template:FIFA Women's World Cup Silver Ball Template:FIFA Women's World Cup Bronze BallScript error: No such module "navboxes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Script error: No such module "navboxes". Template:United States Squad 1991 Women's World Cup Template:United States Squad 1995 Women's World Cup Template:United States Squad 1996 Summer Olympics (Women's Football) Template:United States Squad 1999 Women's World CupScript error: No such module "navboxes".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Script error: No such module "Authority control".

Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Michelle_Akers&oldid=4813989"