Akers Still Aching
Thu., June 15, 1995
Michelle Akers is ready to go. The question is if the world’s top female soccer player will ever get the chance to play in this women’s World Cup.
She’ll be needed in the frontline for sure in today’s semifinals against Norway at Vastersas, Sweeden. The Norwegians are the only team that went unbeaten in the round-robin phase, conceding just one goal.
“It’s a team effort,” U.S. coach Tony DiCicco said. “If we’re going to win this thing it’s not going to be one player or two players, it’s going to be the entire team. But for sure, when Michelle is in the lineup, every player on the field is better.”
Akers, the all-time leading U.S. goal scorer, played only 6 minutes in this World Cup before sustaining a mild concussion and a banged up right knee when helping out in defense in a 3-3 round-robin opener against China last week.
Her status for today remains undecided.
China, which edged Sweden on penalty kicks 4-3 Tuesday after tying 1-1 in regulation and overtime, plays European champion Germany in the other semifinal in Helsingborg.
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