February 15, 2005

U.S. National Team Head Coach April Heinrichs resigns

Record as U.S. National Team Head Coach for five years.

Games Win -Loss -Tie Winning percentage

124       87 -17     -20         78.2%

2004 Athens Olympic Gold Medal

FIFA World Cup USA 2003 Third-place Medal

2000 Sydney Olympic Silver Medal

First U.S. Coach to win an Algarve Cup championship. Won it three times.

________________

She is resigning as coach but remaining as a consultant with U.S. soccer through 2005.

"There were a number of goals when I first stepped into this position five years ago," said Heinrichs, "and I think as a group we've done a wonderful job of meeting those goals and laying the foundation for the future of our women's program. It was certainly gratifying to capture the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, but it is equally gratifying to know that the future is so bright for the talented young players that are moving up through our system. No one is a national team coach forever and for me personally, this is the right time to step away. For the program moving forward, there is enough time for a new coach to prepare for the next Women's World Cup and Olympics."

A search for a successor will begin immediately, but no timetable has been set for a hiring decision.

U.S. Soccer stated that current U.S. assistant coaches Greg Ryan and Phil Wheddon will coach the team in the interim? What happened to Tracey Leone who was Head Coach of the U.S. Under -19 National Team that won the First Ever FIFA U-19 World Champinship, and was U.S. National Team Assistant Coach at the 2004 Athens Olympics ?

Statement by U.S. Soccer President Dr. S. Robert Contiguglia

"I think so highly of April Heinrichs that it was not easy for me to accept her resignation. Through her five years on the job, the program has grown tremendously, which is born out through the strong results that have been achieved. As for her successor, a search will begin immediately."

U.S. Olympic Team arrives in Greece

The squad arrived today and will spend a few days at the Athlete's Village. The temperature there is normal for this time of the year, low humidity and in the mid nineties Fahrenheit.

Their team media has sent the following first impressions.

U.S. captain Julie Foudy at her third Olympics.

It's awesome. The USOC did a great job of putting together the ACG for our athletes, although I lost a game of UNO there this afternoon. The Athlete's Village is great. We went to the cafeteria and there are lots of desserts, tons of chopped fruit, and more desserts. They even have ice cream to-go and I think it's open 24 hours. What more could you want? You see people everywhere walking around in their national team gear. Some of the rookies had no idea it was this big. They asked me if the Olympic experience got old. I told them it never gets old, first time or third time around.

U.S. forward Abby Wambach at her first Olympics.

It's overwhelming. It feels good to finally be here and feel what it's like. We have had so many different things and visions in our minds, but nothing compares to the reality of being here. It is thrilling to see so many different athletes and feel how much hard work everyone has put in to get here.

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