Michelle Akers

Did You Know?

• On January 19, 2022, the Orlando Pride announced Akers as an assistant coach for the 2022 season.
• She runs a horse rescue ranch on 8 acres in Powder Springs, Georgia, with her son Cody.
• Akers has had several horses since 1996.

Early life

Akers was born to Robert and Anne Akers in Santa Clara, California, and grew up in the Seattle, Washington suburb of Shoreline. She attended Shorecrest High School, where she played soccer and was named an All-American three times. After losing a youth game, she walked off the field in tears; her father asked if she had fun, and her yes helped turn her into a fierce competitor. At 5 ft and 150 lb, she had an imposing physical presence and was noted for her aggressive, physical style. She attended the University of Central Florida on a scholarship, was a four-time NCAA All-American, and won the Hermann Trophy in 1988 as the nation's top college soccer player. She was Central Florida's Athlete of the Year in 1988–89 and remains the all-time leading scorer in UCF history, with her #10 jersey retired by the school.

International career

Michelle Akers was part of the first-ever U.S. women's national team in 1985, traveling to Italy for the program's debut match. An ankle injury kept her out of that game, but she made history in the team's second international appearance, scoring the first goal in program history during a 2-2 draw with Denmark. Between 1985 and 1990, she netted 15 goals in 24 appearances, then exploded for a team-record 39 goals in 26 games in 1991. That year, she was named U.S. Soccer's Female Athlete of the Year for the second straight time. At the first Women's World Cup in China in 1991, she led all scorers with ten goals, including five in a single match, and scored both U.S. goals in the 2-1 final victory over Norway. Throughout her career, she battled chronic fatigue syndrome, often considering retirement but returning for major matches. After the 1991 World Cup, she moved from striker to central midfielder to reduce the physical abuse from defenders. At the 1995 World Cup, she suffered a concussion and knee injury early on, and was limited in the semifinal loss to Norway. In the 1996 Olympics, she played with a torn medial collateral ligament as a holding midfielder, anchoring the defense and helping the U.S. win the first Olympic gold in women's soccer; her knee later needed a third reconstructive surgery. She also won gold at the 1998 Goodwill Games. On June 7, 1998, she became the first woman to receive the FIFA Order of Merit, the sport's highest honor. In the 1999 World Cup, she was a leader on the championship team, playing with a dislocated shoulder caused by a fan in the quarterfinals, and earned the Bronze Ball award.