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Michelle Akers

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Michelle Akers
human
Ein sex anaa genderfemale Edit
Ein country of citizenshipUnited States Edit
Country for sportUnited States Edit
Name wey dem give amMichelle Edit
Family nameAkers Edit
Ein date of birth1 February 1966 Edit
Place dem born amSanta Clara Edit
Ein occupationassociation football player Edit
Position dem play for team top / specialitymidfielder, forward Edit
Educate forUniversity of Central Florida Edit
Start of work period1985 Edit
Member give sports teamTyresö FF, Tyresö FF, Tyresö FF, United States women's national soccer team Edit
Sportfootball Edit
Participant insyd1996 Summer Olympics Edit

Michelle Anne Akers[1] (formerly Akers-Stahl; born February 1, 1966) be an American former soccer player wey star insyd de 1991 den 1999 Women's World Cup den 1996 Olympics victories by de United States. At de 1991 World Cup, she win de Golden Shoe as de top scorer, plus ten goals.

Akers be regarded as one of de greatest female soccer players insyd history.[2][3][4] She be named FIFA Female Player of de Century insyd 2002, an award she share plus China ein Sun Wen.[5][6] Insyd 2004, na Akers den Mia Hamm be de only two women dem name to de FIFA 100, a list of de 125 greatest living soccer players wey Pelé select wey FIFA commission for dat organization ein 100th anniversary.

Akers be a member of de National Soccer Hall of Fame, dem induct insyd 2004.[7]

Early life

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Born to Robert den Anne Akers insyd Santa Clara, California[8] on February 1, 1966, Akers grow up insyd de Seattle, Washington suburb of Shoreline, wer na she attend den play soccer give Shorecrest High School.[9] Early insyd ein career, na she no be sure whether she be willing to do de training necessary to excel. After losing a youth game, na she be frustrated wey she walk off de field in tears. Na ein poppie biz am "Did you have fun". Na ein answer be "yh" wich lead to de realization say dis be de real reason she play, wey e help am turn am into de fierce competitor she cam be.[8] Na dem name am an All-American three times during ein high school career.[9] At 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) insyd height den 150 pounds (68 kg), Akers get an imposing physical presence on de soccer field wey na she be noted for ein aggressive den physical style of play.[10]

University of Central Florida

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Akers attend de University of Central Florida on a scholarship wer na she be selected as four-time NCAA All-American.[9] She be Central Florida ein Athlete of de Year insyd 1988–89, be de all-time leading scorer insyd UCF history,[9] she win de Hermann Trophy insyd 1988 as de nation ein top college soccer player,[9] wey she get ein #10 jersey retired by de school.[11]

International career

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Na Akers be a member of de 1985 United States women's national soccer team (USWNT) for ein first-ever game, at a tournament insyd Italy insyd August 1985. Secof an ankle injury, na she no play insyd de first game. However, insyd de U.S. ein second-ever international game, she score de first goal insyd de history of de program, insyd a 2–2 tie against Denmark.[12]

Akers score 15 goals insyd 24 games give de U.S. from 1985 to 1990, before scoring a team-record 39 goals insyd 26 games insyd de 1991 season. Insyd 1990 den 1991 na dem name am de Female Athlete of de Year by de United States Soccer Federation (USSF).[9] Na Akers sanso be de lead scorer insyd de inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup insyd China insyd 1991, scoring ten goals, wey dey include five insyd one game.[9] Dis lead de U.S. women's team to de first women's world championship, defeating Norway 2–1 insyd de final. Akers score both U.S. goals insyd de final.[13][14]

Thru out most of ein career, na Akers be afflicted by chronic fatigue syndrome, repeatedly considering retirement only to continue playing insyd sam of U.S. Soccer ein most significant matches.[15]

After de 1991 World Cup, she shift from striker to central midfielder, in part to minimize de beatings doled out by opposing defenders. Despite de precautions, Akers suffer a concussion den a knee injury early insyd de 1995 World Cup, wey she be hampered by de knee insyd de U.S. ein semifinal loss to Norway.[16][17]

Insyd 1996, Akers san be a member of de U.S. women's national team at de 1996 Summer Olympics insyd Atlanta, Georgia, wer dem win de first gold medal insyd Olympic Women's Soccer. She play plus a torn medial collateral ligament insyd de holding central midfielder role, anchoring de team ein defense, dominating insyd de air, den playmaking out of de back to maintain possession den generate goal-scoring opportunities. After de tournament ein knee require reconstructive surgery for de third time. Na she sanso be a member of de gold medal-winning 1998 Goodwill Games team. On June 7, 1998, na dem award am de FIFA Order of Merit, FIFA ein highest honor insyd de global game of soccer, for ein contributions to de game of soccer on den off de field; she be de first woman ever to receive am. Na Akers san be a leader den member of de 1999 Women's World Cup team, wer de team win dema second World Cup championship. Despite playing plus a dislocated shoulder, wey a fan cause insyd de quarterfinals,[18] na dem award am de Bronze Ball of de tournament by FIFA.[19]

Shortly before de 2000 Summer Olympics insyd Sydney, Australia, Akers retire from de game secof injuries she incur before den during de 1999 FIFA World Cup. She be de U.S. national team ein second all-time leading scorer (behind Mia Hamm) plus 105 goals, 37 assists den 247 points.[20]

Coaching career

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On January 19, 2022, de Orlando Pride announce Akers as an assistant coach for de 2022 season, serving under head coach Amanda Cromwell. She sanso serve insyd a player development den mentorship role, wey she assist plus community outreach.[21]

Personal life

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From 1990 to 1994, she be married wey she be known as Michelle Akers-Stahl.[22] Later she san marry (2003–2007) wey she get a son insyd Orlando, Florida.[23] She get several horses since 1996 den dey run a horse rescue ranch on 8 acres (3.2 ha) insyd Powder Springs, Georgia, plus ein son Cody.[24][25]

Since ein retirement from de USWNT insyd 2000, she sanso continue to promote de game of soccer as a spokesperson, advocate, den leader on various platforms.[26][27]

Career statistics

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Appearances den goals by national team den year
National teamYearAppsGoals
United States[28] 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
Scores den results list de United States dema goal tally first, score column dey indicate score after each Akers goal.
List of international goals wey Michelle Akers score
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 August 21, 1985 Jesolo, Italy  DEN 1–? 2–2 Friendly
2 August 23, 1985 Caorle, Italy  ENG 1–? 1–3 Friendly
3 December 16, 1987 Taipei, Taiwan  AUS 2–0 6–0 Friendly
4 December 19, 1987 Taipei, Taiwan  Canada 1–0 4–0 Friendly
5 ?–0
6 July 25, 1990 Winnipeg, Canada  NOR 2–0 4–0 Friendly
7 July 29, 1990 Winnipeg, Canada  NOR 2–2 4–2 Friendly
8 August 5, 1990 Blaine, United States  URS ?–0 8–0 Friendly
9 ?–0
10 ?–0
11 August 9, 1990 Blaine, United States  ENG 1–0 3–0 Friendly
12 ?–0
13 August 11, 1990 Blaine, United States  Germany ?–0 3–0 Friendly
14 ?–0
15 April 1, 1991 Varna, Bulgaria  YUG ?–0 8–0 Friendly
16 ?–0
17 ?–0
18 April 2, 1991 Varna, Bulgaria  BUL 3–0 3–0 Friendly
19 April 5, 1991 Varna, Bulgaria  France 2–0 2–0 Friendly
20 April 7, 1991 Varna, Bulgaria  URS 3–0 5–0 Friendly
21 4–0
22 5–0
23 April 18, 1991 Port-au-Prince, Haiti  Mexico 2–0 12–0 1991 CONCACAF Women's Championship
24 4–0
25 April 20, 1991 Port-au-Prince, Haiti  MTQ ?–0 12–0 1991 CONCACAF Women's Championship
26 ?–0
27 April 22, 1991 Port-au-Prince, Haiti  TRI ?–0 10–0 1991 CONCACAF Women's Championship
28 ?–0
29 April 25, 1991 Port-au-Prince, Haiti  HAI ?–0 10–0 1991 CONCACAF Women's Championship
30 ?–0
31 April 28, 1991 Port-au-Prince, Haiti  Canada 1–0 5–0 1991 CONCACAF Women's Championship
32 2–0
33 5–0
34 May 18, 1991 Lyon, France  France ?–0 4–0 Friendly
35 May 25, 1991 Hirson, France  ENG 2–? 3–1 Friendly
36 May 30, 1991 Kaiserslautern, Germany  Germany 2–0 4–2 Friendly
37 4–2
38 August 4, 1991 Changchun, China  China 1–? 1–2 Friendly
39 August 8, 1991 Yanji, China  China 2–? 2–2 Friendly
40 August 10, 1991 Anshan, China  China 1–0 3–0 Friendly
41 2–0
42 3–0
43 October 12, 1991 Fairfax, United States  China 2–0 2–0 Friendly
44 November 19, 1991 Guangzhou, China  BRA 4–0 5–0 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup
45 November 21, 1991 Foshan, China  Japan 1–0 3–0 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup
46 2–0
47 November 24, 1991 Foshan, China  TPE 1–0 7–0 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup
48 2–0
49 3–0
50 5–0
51 6–0
52 November 30, 1991 Guangzhou, China  NOR 1–0 2–1 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup
53 2–1
54 March 11, 1993 Agia, Cyprus  DEN 2–0 2–0 Friendly
55 June 12, 1993 Cincinnati, United States  Canada 6–0 7–0 Friendly
56 7–0
57 June 21, 1993 Pontiac, United States  Canada 3–0 3–0 Friendly
58 August 6, 1993 New Hyde Park, United States  TRI ?–0 9–0 1993 CONCACAF Women's Invitational Tournament
59 ?–0
60 April 14, 1994 San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago  Canada 1–0 4–1 Friendly
61 2–0
62 April 17, 1994 Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago  Canada 2–0 3–0 Friendly
63 July 31, 1994 Fairfax, United States  Germany 2–0 2–1 Friendly
64 August 7, 1994 Worcester, United States  NOR ?–? 4–1 Friendly
65 August 13, 1994 Montreal, Canada  Mexico ?–0 9–0 1994 CONCACAF Women's Championship
66 ?–0
67 August 17, 1994 Montreal, Canada  TRI ?–1 11–1 1994 CONCACAF Women's Championship
68 August 19, 1994 Montreal, Canada  JAM ?–0 10–0 1994 CONCACAF Women's Championship
69 ?–0
70 August 21, 1994 Montreal, Canada  Canada 6–0 6–0 1994 CONCACAF Women's Championship
71 January 20, 1995 Phoenix, United States  AUS ?–0 5–0 Friendly
72 January 23, 1995 Phoenix, United States  AUS ?–? 4–1 Friendly
73 February 24, 1995 Orlando, United States  DEN ?–0 7–0 Friendly
74 ?–0
75 ?–0
76 March 19, 1995 Quarteira, Portugal  NOR 1–0 3–3 (2–4 p) 1995 Algarve Cup
77 April 11, 1995 Poissy, France  Italy 1–0 3–0 Friendly
78 April 12, 1995 Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France  Canada 2–0 5–0 Friendly
79 April 28, 1995 Decatur, United States  FIN 2–0 2–0 Friendly
80 April 30, 1995 Davidson, United States  FIN 2–0 6–0 Friendly
81 May 14, 1995 Portland, United States  BRA ?–? 4–1 Friendly
82 ?–?
83 May 19, 1995 Dallas, United States  Canada 3–0 9–1 Friendly
84 4–1
85 July 30, 1995 New Britain, United States  TPE 7–0 9–0 1995 Women's U.S. Cup
86 9–0
87 August 3, 1995 Piscataway, United States  AUS ?–? 4–2 1995 Women's U.S. Cup
88 January 13, 1996 Campinas, Brazil  RUS 2–0 8–1 Friendly
89 February 2, 1996 Tampa, United States  NOR 2–1 3–2 Friendly
90 April 20, 1996 Fullerton, United States  NED 6–0 6–0 Friendly
91 April 26, 1996 St. Louis, United States  France 1–0 4–1 Friendly
92 April 28, 1996 Indianapolis, United States  France 6–0 8–2 Friendly
93 May 18, 1996 Washington, D.C., United States  China 1–0 1–0 1996 Women's U.S. Cup
94 July 28, 1996 Athens, United States  NOR 1–1 2–1 1996 Summer Olympics
95 November 1, 1997 Chattanooga, United States  SWE 3–0 3–1 Friendly
96 March 15, 1998 Olhão, Portugal  FIN 1–0 2–0 1998 Algarve Cup
97 April 24, 1998 Fullerton, United States  ARG 3–1 8–1 Friendly
98 April 26, 1998 San Jose, United States  ARG 3–0 7–0 Friendly
99 July 25, 1998 Hempstead, United States  DEN 2–0 5–0 1998 Goodwill Games
100 September 20, 1998 Richmond, United States  BRA 2–0 3–0 1998 Women's U.S. Cup
101 January 27, 1999 Orlando, United States  POR 3–0 7–0 Friendly
102 January 30, 1999 Fort Lauderdale, United States  POR 2–0 6–0 Friendly
103 April 22, 1999 Hershey, United States  China 1–0 2–1 Friendly
104 April 29, 1999 Charlotte, United States  Japan 1–0 9–0 Friendly
105 2–0
106 June 24, 1999 Chicago, United States  NGA 5–1 7–1 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup
107 July 4, 1999 Stanford, United States  BRA 2–0 2–0 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup
108 August 13, 2000 Annapolis, United States  RUS 4–1 7–1 Friendly

[29][30]

References

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  1. ↑ "soccer profile: Michelle Akers". www.soccertimes.com. Archived from the original on 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
  2. ↑ Lewis, Michael (August 3, 2016). "The 20 Greatest Female Football Players of all Time". The Guardian. Archived from the original on August 2, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  3. ↑ Jeff Carlisle (June 2, 2013). "Players whose influence reaches beyond the pitch". ESPN. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Best American Soccer Players of All Time (Men and Women)". Soccer Mavericks. December 21, 2023. Archived from the original on December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Michelle Akers Named FIFA Player of the Century". US Soccer. Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  6. ↑ "FIFA names Akers 'Player of the Century.'". ESPN. Archived from the original on February 14, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Michelle Akers - 2004 Inductee". National Soccer Hall of Fame (in English). Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Layden, Joseph, 1959- (1997). Women in sports : the complete book on the world's greatest female athletes. Los Angeles: General Pub. Group. pp. 14. ISBN 1-57544-064-4. OCLC 36501288.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Schafer, Elizabeth D (2002) [1992]. Dawson, Dawn P (ed.). Great Athletes. Vol. 1 (Revised ed.). Salem Press. pp. 26–28. ISBN 1-58765-008-8.
  10. ↑ Miller, Marla All-American Girls New York: Pocket Books, 1999, pp. 14–15.
  11. ↑ "Michelle Akers - Women's Soccer (1984, 1986-88) - Class of 1998". UCF Athletics. Archived from the original on September 6, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  12. ↑ "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 Archived June 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, accessed October 3, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Michelle Akers - All 12 goals in World Cup". YouTube. September 2, 2020. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2026.
  14. ↑ Abnos, Alexander. "Start of Something Big". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on February 11, 2019. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  15. ↑ Shipley, Amy. "Akers's Exhausting Opponent". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 4, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  16. ↑ Michelle Akers Biography http://www.biography.com/people/michelle-akers-21321911#national-superstar Archived June 10, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  17. ↑ Michelle Akers enjoying life after soccer https://web.archive.org/web/20141109131848/http://www.cfs-info.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=712&Itemid=79 Archived November 9, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  18. ↑ "Soccer Star Akers Out Of Games". CBS. August 24, 2000. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  19. ↑ "1999 FIFA Women's World Cup". U.S. Soccer. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  20. ↑ Alexander, Valerie (July 7, 2014). "World Cup Soccer Stats Erase The Sport's Most Dominant Players: Women". Jezebel.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Orlando Pride Announces Assistant Coaching Staff Ahead of 2022 NWSL Season". Orlando Pride. January 19, 2022. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  22. ↑ Whiteside, Kelly (June 5, 1995). "WORLD BEATER MICHELLE AKERS, SOCCER'S TOP FEMALE, IS READY TO LEAD THE U.S. TO ANOTHER TITLE". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on January 10, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  23. ↑ Josh Robbins (September 19, 2007). "With the U.S. women chasing the World Cup, Michelle Akers is a happy mom at home just..." Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on September 6, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2019.
  24. ↑ Hanson, Scott (August 23, 2018). "She was America's first women's soccer star. Now, Michelle Akers has gone from goals to foals". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 14, 2025.
  25. ↑ Wahl, Grant, "Green Acres", Sports Illustrated, July 4, 2011, pp. 98–101.
  26. ↑ Cardenas, Natalia.
  27. ↑ Scavuzzo, Diane.
  28. ↑ "FIFA Century Club" (PDF). FIFA. February 9, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 23, 2014.
  29. ↑ Some scorelines in the goal log above are courtesy of RSSSF: Garin, Erik. "RSSSF Archive - International Country Results - Women Tournaments". RSSSF. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023., others via Canada Soccer archive e.g.: "Canada Soccer". Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  30. ↑ Sources disagree on whether Akers scored vs Hungary on April 3, 1991, or whether Wendy Gebauer got 2 that day. Compare "USWNT Results: 1990-1994". Society for American Soccer History. March 5, 2019. Archived from the original on August 31, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2023. (credits Gebauer), vs RSSSF: Litterer, Dave. "USA - Women - International Results". RSSSF. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023. (credits Akers-Stahl)

Read further

[edit | edit source]
  • Grainey, Timothy (2012), Beyond Bend It Like Beckham: The Global Phenomenon of Women's Soccer, University of Nebraska Press, ISBN 0803240368
  • Kassouf, Jeff (2011), Girls Play to Win Soccer, Norwood House Press, ISBN 1599534649
  • LaFontaine, P.; Valutis, E.; Griffin, C.; Weisman, L. (2001), Companions in Courage: Triumphant Tales of Heroic Athletes, Hatchette Digital Inc., ISBN 0759520518
  • Lisi, Clemente A. (2010), The U.S. Women's Soccer Team: An American Success Story, Scarecrow Press, ISBN 0810874164
  • Longman, Jere (2009), The Girls of Summer: The U.S. Women's Soccer Team and How it Changed the World, HarperCollins, ISBN 0061877689
  • Mitchell, N.; Ennis, L. (2007) Encyclopedia of Title IX and Sports, Greenwood Publishing Group, ISBN 0313335877
  • Rutledge, Rachel (2000), The Best of the Best in Soccer, First Avenue Editions, ISBN 0761313923
  • Silverman, Al (2004), It's Not Over 'til it's Over, Penguin, ISBN 1468304313
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