Michelle Akers defined two positions in women’s international soccer. (FrontRowSoccer Photo)
This story originally was published in Soccer Magazine in 1999
By Michael Lewis
Life is sometimes not fair. If it was, Michelle Akers would still be at the top of her game as a high-scoring forward and closing in on around the almost absurd number of 200 international goals. Instead, she has battled Chronic Fatigue Syndrome the past five years.
And instead of complaining and throwing in the towel, Akers has added a new dimension to her game — as a defensive midfielder and the soul of the U.S. Women’s National Team. Because of that and her overall accomplishments, Akers was named Soccer Magazine’s woman of the year in 1999.
After she defined the forward position in the early days of her career, DiCicco changed Akers’ role in 1996, when her health problems limited her as a goal-scoring terror.
Actually, she welcomed the switch from forward to midfield, a position she play at in college.
“I love playing midfield,” she said. “I love dishing and playmaking.”
But . . .
“I was a holding midfielder and I didn’t like it . . . I like going into the attack. I didn’t like going on to defense.”
But Akers grudingly accepted her role. “I was a lousy defender,” she said. “It exposed me and challenged me.”
She met the challenge and then some as she redefined the role as a defensive midfielder in women’s soccer.
“I began to take a bit of pride being part of the backline.” she said.
“I’m still learning at that position. I told Tony that I wanted to be the best midfielder in the world. I talked to a lot of players who are great at that position and asked them how they see me evolving. I have high hopes I am.”
Like it or not, Akers already has decided that 2000 will be her final competitive year as a player — in the Olympics.
“It’s also my last National Team competition,” she said. “I’m sure it will be the final competition for a few other players as well. Playing with the knowledge it will be my last competition, I’m going to be really excited. I’m miss my teammates.”
Don’t fret, though. Akers, 33, won’t be turning away from soccer. She is interested in helping out the national youth programs, plans to speak about the game and life, has agreed to a three-book deal with Zoudervan Publishing, the Christian arm of Harper Collins, and continue her involvement with Soccer Outreach International, an organization that helps create resources for people, agencies and churches to teach people around the world how to integrate faith and sport into their daily lives.
“I’ve built my house and ranch and I’m going to be a cowgirl,” she said. “I haven’t figured out who is going to be my cowboy.”
If life is fair, Akers will go out on top in 2000. After another gold medal at the Summer Games in Sydney, she will return to the United States and enjoy a special testimonial and farewell game in front of, say, a packed house at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
Those type of games are literally foreign to US soccer, but it would be appropriate that Akers would be a ground-breaker in that department as well.
