AIRBORNE AKERS; `WARRIOR' IS WAY UP FOR FINAL.Byline: Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer You don't reach Barbie Doll Barbie doll popular dress-up doll; extremely conventional and feminine. [Am. Hist.: Sann, 179] See : Fads status when you're more like GI Jane, but that's how Michelle Akers Michelle Akers (born February 1, 1966 in Santa Clara, California) was a leading American soccer player and played on the historic 1999 Women's World Cup victory by the U.S.. She is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. wants it. Give the woman her battle plans, not some cheesy cheesy (che´ze) caseous. commercial endorsement. She's all the blood and guts a coach could ask for, a player often referred to as ``the warrior'' by her teammates. Akers, a midfielder for the Women's World Cup The Women's World Cup could refer to either the:
tr.v. dis·lo·cat·ed, dis·lo·cat·ing, dis·lo·cates 1. To put out of usual or proper place, position, or relationship. 2. by an enthusiastic fan during a victory lap recently. That's Akers - a 33-year-old seasoned starlet star·let n. 1. A small star. 2. A young film actress publicized as a future star. starlet Noun a young actress who has the potential to become a star Noun 1. who has spent more time with ice packs, leg wraps and bandages than has an ex-Marine. Her body seemingly is airborne more than the coast-to-coast flights of the Chinese team, the Americans' opponent in Saturday's World Cup Final at the Rose Bowl. ``Somebody said I've got a magnet on my head,'' joked Akers at a recent training session at Pomona-Pitzer College. ``I was talking about it with my doc. I said, `Is there something I'm doing that's attracting this kind of attention to my head?' ``I guess that's just my kind of go-for-it mentality. Sometimes I stick my head in places it shouldn't be, but I'm not going to change my style. That's who I am, that's how I play and that's part of the package of Michelle Akers.'' That's been Akers' style since her days at Central Florida
Central Florida is the central region of the United States state of Florida, on the East Coast. University, where she honed her skills playing against men. That style worries U.S. coach Tony DiCicco Tony DiCicco (born August 5, 1948, Wethersfield, Connecticut) is an American soccer player, coach, and commentator. He is best known as the coach of the United States women's national soccer team from 1994-1999, during which time the team won an Olympic gold medal in 1996 and the , but all he can do is shake his head and smile. ``She just takes physical risks on every ball,'' he said. ``It's not an option for her to give up. And we've worked on her tactical agility, where she can put herself into situations where she can't get injured, but it doesn't work. She's not going to back off of anything, even when a foot's coming and she's heading the ball, she's going to head the ball. ``It's an incredible warrior mentality when she's in the game. It's led to a lot of injuries in her career but, for sure, it's an inspiration to our entire team.'' That's been Akers' aura for as long as anyone can remember. She practically started the U.S. women's national team The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please [ improve this article] or discuss the issue on the talk page. program in 1985, scoring the first goal in the history of U.S. women's soccer in the team's second international game. Second only to Mia Hamm Mia Hamm (born Mariel Margaret Hamm on March 17,1972 in Selma, Alabama) is a former American soccer player. Playing for many years as a forward for the United States women's national soccer team, she scored more international goals in her career than any other player, male with 104 international goals, she's nearing the end of her brilliant career. Once the best attacking midfielder in the game, Akers has turned into a defensive, midfield gem. Akers hounded Brazil's Sissi in the semifinals, leaving the tournament's leading scorer puzzled. Now she'll have an even bigger task, marking China's Sun Wen Sun Wen can refer to:
``I think she's going to play her best soccer of 1999 in this final,'' DiCicco said. ``I can just see it in her eyes. She's still one of the best headers in the world, one of the best distributors, and she can service the ball with both feet. Over the last three months, she improved her defense, which has paid huge dividends for this team.'' Akers realizes she's still every bit as important to this team as Hamm and the other standout U.S. players but, as the big redhead notes, she's not sure how much longer she'll keep playing. ``We have one more game and then we'll see,'' Akers said. ``Right now, I'm here, enjoying the moment. All my focus is on China. After that, we'll see.'' There will be more emotions running through her head than anyone's. Her battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), collection of persistent, debilitating symptoms, the most notable of which is severe, lasting fatigue. In other countries it is known variously as myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome, and is well-documented and her injury-plagued career has included long stretches of rehab. Yet Akers seems as fit as the day she started. ``It's an illusion,'' Akers joked. ``You get to this point in your career and you remember the 5 a.m. workouts. Or the times I'm in rehab all by myself or feeling sick and then getting up and going to training. ``Those quiet moments, all those prayers and agony to God, just asking to give me enough energy to take another step or last another five minutes. All those things have brought me to this point.'' ``She doesn't care about anything but helping this team win,'' striker Tiffeny Milbrett said. ``A defensive midfielder is not a glorious position. It's a guts position. It's a work-your-butt-off position. ``I'm so proud of what Michelle means to this team. She's the heart and soul. She's not getting the assists and goals like she used to, but she's back there working and working. What an inspiration to our entire team. She's not getting the so-called publicity, and it doesn't matter to her at all.'' ``This is all exciting, but for me to stay focused on what we need to do as a team and what we need to do on the field, I can't be distracted,'' Akers said. ``It's nice seeing the team on TV and in the front page of papers, and it's easy to get distracted by all that they say we've done, but we're not there yet. We have one more game.'' FIFA FIFA International Association Football Federation [French Fédération Internationale de Football Association] FIFA n abbr (= Fédération Internationale de Football Association) → FIFA f WOMEN`S WORLD CUP CHAMPIONSHIP GAME U.S. vs. China Saturday, 12:50 p.m. Channel 7 CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color) U.S. defensive midfielder Michelle Akers (10) is saving her energy for one last game against China. Roberto Borea/Associated Press |
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