Michelle Akers
Full nameMichelle Anne Akers[1]
Birth dateFebruary 1, 1966 (age 60)
Birth placeSanta Clara, California, U.S.
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
PositionMidfielder, forward
Collegeyears 11985–1989
College 1UCF Knights
Years 11990
Clubs 1Tyresö FF
Caps 118
Goals 18
Years 21992
Clubs 2Tyresö FF
Years 31992
Clubs 3Orlando Lions Women
Caps 329
Goals 38
Years 41994
Clubs 4Tyresö FF
Caps 419
Goals 43
Nationalyears 11985–2000
Nationalteam 1United States
Nationalcaps 1155
Nationalgoals 1107
Manageryears 12022
Managerclubs 1Orlando Pride (assistant)

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.[2][3][4] She was named FIFA Female Player of the Century in 2002, an award she shared with China's Sun Wen.[5][6] 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.[7]

Early life

Born to Robert and Anne Akers in Santa Clara, California[8] on February 1, 1966, Akers grew up in the Seattle, Washington suburb of Shoreline, where she attended and played soccer for Shorecrest High School.[9] 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.[8] She was named an All-American three times during her high school career.[9] At 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) in height and 150 pounds (68 kg), Akers had an imposing physical presence on the soccer field and was noted for her aggressive and physical style of play.[10]

University of Central Florida

Akers attended the University of Central Florida on a scholarship where she was selected as four-time NCAA All-American.[9] She was Central Florida's Athlete of the Year in 1988–89, was the all-time leading scorer in UCF history,[9] won the Hermann Trophy in 1988 as the nation's top college soccer player,[9] and had her #10 jersey retired by the school.[11]

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.[12]

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).[9] 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.[9] 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.[13][14]

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.[15]

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.[16][17]

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,[18] she was awarded the Bronze Ball of the tournament by FIFA.[19]

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.[20]

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.[21]

Personal life

From 1990 to 1994, she was married and was known as Michelle Akers-Stahl.[22] Later she married again (2003–2007) and had a son in Orlando, Florida.[23] She has had several horses since 1996 and runs a horse rescue ranch on 8 acres (3.2 ha) in Powder Springs, Georgia, with her son Cody.[24][25]

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.[26][27]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
United States[28]198522
198650
198793
198820
199069
19912639
1993126
19941211
19952017
1996177
199721
1998155
1999206
200071
Total155107

International goals

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.August 21, 1985Jesolo, ItalyDenmark1–?2–2Friendly
2.August 23, 1985Caorle, ItalyEngland1–?1–3
3.December 16, 1987Taipei, TaiwanAustralia2–06–0
4.December 19, 1987Canada1–04–0
5.?–0
6.July 25, 1990Winnipeg, CanadaNorway2–04–0
7.July 29, 1990Norway2–24–2
8.August 5, 1990Blaine, United StatesSoviet Union?–08–0
9.?–0
10.?–0
11.August 9, 1990England1–03–0
12.?–0
13.August 11, 1990Germany?–03–0
14.?–0
15.April 1, 1991Varna, BulgariaYugoslavia?–08–0
16.?–0
17.?–0
18.April 2, 1991Bulgaria3–03–0
19.April 5, 1991France2–02–0
20.April 7, 1991Soviet Union3–05–0
21.4–0
22.5–0
23.April 18, 1991Port-au-Prince, HaitiMexico2–012–01991 CONCACAF Women's Championship
24.4–0
25.April 20, 1991MTQ?–012–0
26.?–0
27.April 22, 1991Trinidad and Tobago?–010–0
28.?–0
29.April 25, 1991Haiti?–010–0
30.?–0
31.April 28, 1991Canada1–05–0
32.2–0
33.5–0
34.May 18, 1991Lyon, FranceFrance?–04–0Friendly
35.May 25, 1991Hirson, FranceEngland2–?3–1
36.May 30, 1991Kaiserslautern, GermanyGermany2–04–2
37.4–2
38.August 4, 1991Changchun, ChinaChina1–?1–2
39.August 8, 1991Yanji, ChinaChina2–?2–2
40.August 10, 1991Anshan, ChinaChina1–03–0
41.2–0
42.3–0
43.October 12, 1991Fairfax, United StatesChina2–02–0
44.November 19, 1991Guangzhou, ChinaBrazil4–05–01991 FIFA Women's World Cup
45.November 21, 1991Foshan, ChinaJapan1–03–0
46.2–0
47.November 24, 1991Chinese Taipei1–07–0
48.2–0
49.3–0
50.5–0
51.6–0
52.November 30, 1991Guangzhou, ChinaNorway1–02–1
53.2–1
54.March 11, 1993Agia, CyprusDenmark2–02–0Friendly
55.June 12, 1993Cincinnati, United StatesCanada6–07–0
56.7–0
57.June 21, 1993Pontiac, United StatesCanada3–03–0
58.August 6, 1993New Hyde Park, United StatesTrinidad and Tobago?–09–01993 CONCACAF Women's Invitational Tournament
59.?–0
60.April 14, 1994San Fernando, Trinidad and TobagoCanada1–04–1Friendly
61.2–0
62.April 17, 1994Port of Spain, Trinidad and TobagoCanada2–03–0
63.July 31, 1994Fairfax, United StatesGermany2–02–1
64.August 7, 1994Worcester, United StatesNorway?–?4–1
65.August 13, 1994Montreal, CanadaMexico?–09–01994 CONCACAF Women's Championship
66.?–0
67.August 17, 1994Trinidad and Tobago?–111–1
68.August 19, 1994Jamaica?–010–0
69.?–0
70.August 21, 1994Canada6–06–0
71.January 20, 1995Phoenix, United StatesAustralia?–05–0Friendly
72.January 23, 1995Australia?–?4–1
73.February 24, 1995Orlando, United StatesDenmark?–07–0
74.?–0
75.?–0
76.March 19, 1995Quarteira, PortugalNorway1–03–3 (2–4 p)1995 Algarve Cup
77.April 11, 1995Poissy, FranceItaly1–03–0Friendly
78.April 12, 1995Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, FranceCanada2–05–0
79.April 28, 1995Decatur, United StatesFinland2–02–0
80.April 30, 1995Davidson, United StatesFinland2–06–0
81.May 14, 1995Portland, United StatesBrazil?–?4–1
82.?–?
83.May 19, 1995Dallas, United StatesCanada3–09–1
84.4–1
85.July 30, 1995New Britain, United StatesChinese Taipei7–09–01995 Women's U.S. Cup
86.9–0
87.August 3, 1995Piscataway, United StatesAustralia?–?4–2
88.January 13, 1996Campinas, BrazilRussia2–08–1Friendly
89.February 2, 1996Tampa, United StatesNorway2–13–2
90.April 20, 1996Fullerton, United StatesNetherlands6–06–0
91.April 26, 1996St. Louis, United StatesFrance1–04–1
92.April 28, 1996Indianapolis, United StatesFrance6–08–2
93.May 18, 1996Washington, D.C., United StatesChina1–01–01996 Women's U.S. Cup
94.July 28, 1996Athens, United StatesNorway1–12–11996 Summer Olympics
95.November 1, 1997Chattanooga, United StatesSweden3–03–1Friendly
96.March 15, 1998Olhão, PortugalFinland1–02–01998 Algarve Cup
97.April 24, 1998Fullerton, United StatesArgentina3–18–1Friendly
98.April 26, 1998San Jose, United StatesArgentina3–07–0
99.July 25, 1998Hempstead, United StatesDenmark2–05–01998 Goodwill Games
100.September 20, 1998Richmond, United StatesBrazil2–03–01998 Women's U.S. Cup
101.January 27, 1999Orlando, United StatesPortugal3–07–0Friendly
102.January 30, 1999Fort Lauderdale, United StatesPortugal2–06–0
103.April 22, 1999Hershey, United StatesChina1–02–1
104.April 29, 1999Charlotte, United StatesJapan1–09–0
105.2–0
106.June 24, 1999Chicago, United StatesNigeria5–17–11999 FIFA Women's World Cup
107.July 4, 1999Stanford, United StatesBrazil2–02–0
108.August 13, 2000Annapolis, United StatesRussia4–17–1Friendly

[29] [30]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Michelle Akers". SoccerTimes. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  2. ^ Lewis, Michael (August 3, 2016). "The 20 Greatest Female Football Players of all Time". The Guardian. Archived August 2, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  3. ^ Jeff Carlisle (June 2, 2013). "Players whose influence reaches beyond the pitch". ESPN. Archived October 26, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  4. ^ "Best American Soccer Players of All Time (Men and Women)". Soccer Mavericks. December 21, 2023. Archived December 26, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. 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. Archived December 28, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  8. ^ Layden, Joseph, 1959- (1997). Women in sports : the complete book on the world's greatest female athletes. Los Angeles: General Pub. Group. p. 14. ISBN 1-57544-064-4. OCLC 36501288
  9. ^ Schafer, Elizabeth D (2002 [1992]). 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 December 12, 2021 at the Wayback Machine.
  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 March 4, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. 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 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 January 19, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. 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 January 10, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. 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 September 6, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. 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. Michelle Akers. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  27. ^ Scavuzzo, Diane. (June 12, 2015). Women in Soccer: Michelle Akers. Archived June 12, 2018 at the Wayback Machine Goal Nation. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  28. ^ "FIFA Century Club". FIFA. February 9, 2011. Archived from the original 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 November 17, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. 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 August 31, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 30, 2023. (credits Gebauer), vs RSSSF: Litterer, Dave. "USA - Women - International Results". RSSSF. Archived October 28, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 30, 2023. (credits Akers-Stahl)
Match reports

Further reading

  • 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