Akers, Michelle (1966–)

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Akers, Michelle (1966–)

American soccer player. Name variations: Michelle Akers-Stahl. Born Feb 1, 1966, in Santa Clara, California; attended University of South Florida, Orlando.

Midfielder, recognized as one of the world's most powerful strikers during 15-year career; joined national team (1985), scoring its 1st official goal; at World Cups, won team gold medals (1991, 1999) and bronze medal (1995); won a gold medal at Atlanta Olympics (1996); was a founding player of Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA); scored over 100 career goals in international play; was the 1st female footballer to sign an endorsement contract (1991); retired (2000). Won (indiv.) Hermann Trophy (1988); named Female Soccer Athlete of the Year (1990, 1991); was the 1st woman to receive FIFA's Order of Merit (1998); named FIFA Player of the Century (2000).

See also autobiography (with Gregg Lewis) The Game and the Glory: An Autobiography (Zondervan, 2000) and Standing Fast, chronicling her battle with chronic fatigue syndrome, and Jere Longman The Girls of Summer (HarperCollins, 2000).