Oxford City FC Adds Michelle Akers to Advisory Board

Published on June 30, 2015 under Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Oxford City of Texas News Release


DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla., June 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Today Oxford City Football Club, Inc. (OXFC) announces Michelle Akers, FIFA Player of the Century, to their advisory board.

Michelle Akers is described by former USA coach Tony DiCicco as "the best woman that has ever played the game." Michelle Akers looms large in the pantheon of women's football. The first women's soccer player to gain global fame, she was named FIFA Player of the Century in 2000 and was widely recognised as the world's best player during her illustrious 15-year international career. Akers, an athlete ahead of her time, joined the national team upon its inception in 1985 and dominated the women's game with her skill, size, strength, and savvy, scoring the first official USWNT goal, and was the first to sign a shoe-endorsement. She was the leading scorer in the inaugural FIFA Women's World Cup(TM) with 10 goals in 6 matches, including the winner in the Final against Norway in Guangzhou, China to make the US the first ever Women's World Cup Champions.

Michelle Akers stated, "I am very excited to join the Oxford City Advisory Board and becoming a part of their 132 year old tradition of excellence both on the pitch and in the community."

She also set a World Cup record by scoring 5 goals in a 7-0 victory over Taiwan and earned both the Silver Ball Award and the Golden Boot, as she led the Americans to their first world championship. The powerful striker was the heart and soul for women's soccer in America from its very beginnings. "She was a warrior," said former team-mate and icon Mia Hamm. "She was our everything." After the 1991 WWC, Akers went on the play in two more FIFA World Cups (95, 99) and added another historic first by earning the first-ever Olympic Gold Medal for the US in women's soccer in 1996 by defeating China 2-1 in front of a sold out stadium of 90,000 fans. In 1999, she played in her final FIFA Women's World Cup once again dominating the field of play with her signature curly mane and relentless warrior mentality helping the US win their 2nd World Cup title in a heart-stopping 2-1 victory over China in The Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA. Akers retired from international soccer just prior the 2000 Olympics after an historic 15-year career due to injuries. She finisherd her career with 105 goals in 153 games. In 1998, just prior to the World Cup in France, she also received FIFA's highest honor, the FIFA Order of Merit, for her positive contributions to the game.

Michelle Akers

US National Team

#10

1985-2000

Center Midfield/Forward

Played for 1st Ever US Women's National Team 1985 Record Goal Scorer FIFA World Cups 10 Goals

153 Caps

105 goals/37 assists/247 points

FIFA World Cup Champion 1991, 1999

FIFA Golden Boot Winner 1991

FIFA World Cup MVP 1999

Olympic Gold Medalist 1996

FIFA Merit of Honor 1998

FIFA Player of the Century 2000

After retiring, Michelle's passion is focused on horses through her public charity, Michelle Akers Horse Rescue & Outreach, Inc. At her 8-acre farm near Atlanta GA, she provides sanctuary, healing, and potentially happy homes to hurting and unwanted horses, as well as, facilitiating community outreach, leadership/personal development, awareness about horses and their herd culture, and connection and partnership between horses and humans. Michelle also works with athletes as individuals and small groups to help them reach their potential fitness, strength, mentality, and over all goals in competition and sport. To learn more about Michelle, go to http://www.michelleakers.org.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major Arena Soccer League Stories from June 30, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central