WSW USA National Team News

August 25, 2000

Questions from the media, and responses by Michelle Akers at her press conference today

Did your career turn out as expected?
"I guess yes and no. There is that dream inside me of what we could be and what I wanted us to be. To see it actually happening now is almost unimaginable. I watched these past three games, especially in Kansas City and I knew I had a decision looming. I was able to kind of step outside of myself and see the enthusiasm throughout the stadium for the team and for women's soccer and the WUSA. The advancement of the team and the whole sport, and how far we've come, I'm blown away by it. That day was real emotional for me because I was able to smell the roses before my last game was over. There are mixed emotions. I'm excited, but I'm also sad about having to say goodbye. It's been an incredible 15 years."

Do you still have plans to play in WUSA?
"I definitely have plans to play in the WUSA. I'm really excited about the league and I believe it will be a huge success, so I definitely have that on my radar screen. I have some stuff to do before that, and one is just resting, and two is fixing the broken body parts."

Your doctors?

"I want to take the opportunity to thank Dr. Adams and Dr. Palumbo. These guys have really busted their rear ends to keep me on the field. We've had a great time getting to know each other through these experiences. I've relied heavily on them, not only to keep me on the field, but in helping me make some tough decisions."

How did the decision evolve?
"Mark drove me home from practice and told me 'Look, you've got a lot of stuff going on here. Let's talk about life. Let's talk about what's best for Michelle Akers.' After talking with Mark and knowing that this (retirement) has been a day to day thought for the last seven months and the last three years since the last Olympics, his comment to me was to be sure you've given it all you've got because you don't want to kick yourself after its over. I walked out of his office crying and sad, but with the peace that I was absolutely making the right decision."

Your thoughts after leaving the doctor last Tuesday
"There are so many pictures and images and feelings from the last five years that wash through me. Its ttough to say goodbye realizing how much of an incredible opportunity it has been to play for this eam and to be part of the legacy we are leaving. It's hard to stop when you've been pressing for so long. I've been battling this illness and injury for years, and to all of a sudden say 'I'm done' is tough."

What memories made it all worthwhile?
"There are tons of those memories. The relationships and being able to go through this experience with a lot of different people who have loved and cared for me made it worthwhile. The whole process of going through the fire has forced me to dig deep and see who a I am and who I want to be. It has made me make a lot of personal decisions I never would've had the courage or opportunity to make."

Your role with the team in Australia?
"Well, I do not know yet. Initially my thought was to be sitting in front of television cheering them on from my farm in Georgia. Once I get things fixed I might want to go over there if the right opportunity comes up. I guess that remains to be seen."

How strange will it be to watch your former teammates?
"Its going to be weird. I think I'm going to hate it. It's weird realizing that someone else will be wearing #10. That's kind of hard to let go of. Those are my buds out there and we battled together for a long time. To see them fighting and playing together, and knowing what an incredible experience it will be, whether we win or lose, it's going to be hard watching them going through it without me."

When did you tell your teammates about her decision?
"I think I told them Thursday morning by conference call. I would have preferred to tell them in person in San Diego, but I felt it needed to be done as quickly as possible. I felt April needed to know so she could make some decisions about who would replace me on the roster. I felt the team needed to kind of let this settle in to allow them to readjust the focus on what they needed to do. Once I make a decision I need to go forward with it, so there was no reason for delay."

Did any of your teammates try to talk you out of it?
"They didn't. They know me and know what a sacrifice it was on all levels to play on this team. The past couple of weeks have been really tough. They see me in the training room, immersed in ice, trying to gut it out through training so they understand my decision and totally supported it. I've spoken with them on the phone and they keep making me cry. They're my team, and my buds, and I love them, and it's nice tobe able to go out knowing I gave them all I had."

What special memories from your career come to mind?
"This week hasn't been a time to reflect on the 15 years I've been with the team. Its been more or less making a decision and telling people in time in the proper way. There's not one thing, and not even 25 things, its really a feeling of satisfaction and warmth and incredible gratitude to be able play alongside so many incredible people. It has mostly been about the people involved. There's a lot of little things that people might not know happened, but they mean a lot to me."

Any regrets or second thoughts?
"Absolutely not. Every moment, sacrifice, and heartache and disappointment, and the hard stuff that has come with being on the national team was worth every second. I've been getting ready for this moment for a long time. I'm ready to move on. I'm grateful and excited about the future."

What were your family's thoughts about the decision?
"I got a business card that says 'Michelle Akers - Cowgirl.' For real. It's sitting right here on my desk. I think my Dad is still shocked and rocked by the decision. We've been talking about this all year. It's not like he was really surprised, because my track record has been to battle through it, so he was just waiting. They are sad, but relieved. They are glad they won't have to watch meplay through the cracks in their fingers. They're happy I've made this decision and its over."