Michelle Akers
|
| Position: Forward/Midfielder |
| Era: 1985-2000 |
| DOB: 1966.02.01 |
| Height: 5'10" |
| Hometown: Orlando, Fla. |
| College: University of Central Florida |
|
| Career Statistics |
| Year |
GP/GS |
Min |
G |
A |
Pts |
Y/R |
W-L-D |
| 1985 |
2/2 |
180 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
0/0 |
0-1-1 |
| 1986 |
5/5 |
380 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0/0 |
3-2-0 |
| 1987 |
9/8 |
450 |
3 |
2 |
8 |
0/0 |
5-4-0 |
| 1988 |
2/2 |
150 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0/0 |
1-0-1 |
| 1990 |
6/5 |
420 |
9 |
0 |
18 |
0/0 |
6-0-0 |
| 1991 |
26/24 |
1926 |
39 |
7 |
85 |
2/1 |
22-3-1 |
| 1993 |
12/12 |
882 |
6 |
7 |
19 |
0/0 |
9-3-0 |
| 1994 |
12/7 |
521 |
11 |
7 |
29 |
1/0 |
11-1-0 |
| 1995 |
18/17 |
1202 |
15 |
5 |
35 |
1/0 |
14-2-2 |
| 1996 |
17/16 |
1244 |
7 |
3 |
17 |
1/0 |
15-0-2 |
| 1997 |
2/2 |
180 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0/0 |
2-0-0 |
| 1998 |
15/15 |
932 |
5 |
3 |
13 |
0/0 |
14-1-0 |
| 1999 |
20/18 |
1336 |
6 |
1 |
13 |
4/0 |
16-2-2 |
| 2000 |
7/3 |
238 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
0/0 |
2-2-3 |
| Total |
153/136 |
10041 |
105 |
37 |
247 |
9/1 |
120-21-12 |
National Team Highlights
Inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004.
In 2000, she was named the Women's Player of the Century by FIFA.
Retired on the eve of the Sydney Olympics on 2000.08.24 due to a shoulder injury and her long-time battle with Chronic Fatigue Sydrome.
Named U.S. Soccer's Female Athlete of the Year in 1999.
Her inspired play helped the U.S. win the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup and earned her the tournament's Bronze Ball. She scored an insurance goal against Brazil in the semifinals.
Scored the 100th goal of her career against Portugal on 1999.01.30.
Received FIFA's highest honor, the FIFA Order of Merit, on 1998.06.07 at the XVth FIFA Congress in Paris, just prior to the start of the 1998 World Cup, for her positive contributions to the game.
Took a break from the National Team following its gold medal victory at the 1996 Olympics on 1996.08.01 to recover from knee surgery and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and did not play a full international for the U.S. until 1997.10.30 against Sweden.
Started all five matches at the 1996 Olympics and scored a crucial tying goal on a penalty kick in the USA's 2-1 semifinal victory over Norway.
Moved from forward to defensive midfielder in the buildup to the 1996 Olympics to take advantage of her play-making abilities and to reduce the toll on her body.
Seven minutes into the opening game of the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup against China she injured her knee and suffered a concussion in a head-to-head collision with a Chinese player. She did not play again until the semifinals when she logged 90 minutes on her damaged knee in a 1-0 loss to Norway.
Named the MVP of the 1994 CONCAcAF Qualifying Championship where she tied with Mia Hamm as the tournament's second-leading goal scorer with six and helped the U.S. qualify for the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup.
In 1992, she began experience symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Scored a National Team single-season record 39 goals in 26 games in 1991. Also added seven assists, giving her a team single-season record 85 points.
The leading goal scorer at the 1991 Women's World Championship with 10 goals, including five against Taiwan in the quarterfinals, she won the Golden Boot and also received the Silver Ball while helping the U.S. win the inaugural title.
U.S. Soccer's Female Athlete of the Year in 1991 and 1990.
Scored the National Team's first ever goal on 1985.08.21 in the team's second ever game, a 2-2 draw with Denmark in Jesolo, Italy.
National Team Milestones
Professional Highlights
A WUSA founding player, she was allocated to the Orlando franchise, but never played in the WUSA after the team moved to North Carolina before the 2001 season.
Collegiate Highlights
Four-time NSCAA All-American from the University of Central Florida (1984, 1986-1988), she won the first Hermann Trophy in 1988.
She led Central Florida to the 1987 NCAA Final Four and was named the offensive MVP of the tournament.
Her #10 jersey was retired by UCF.
Last We Heard
Lives on a horse farm in Florida with her husband, Steve Eichenblatt, three stepchildren and son, Cody.
Has been a volunteer assistant coach at her alma mater, UCF, since 1998.
Wrote "The Game and the Glory" with Gregg Lewis and "Standing Fast, Battles of a Champion" with Tim Nash.
