America’s most successful captain ever faces challenges from the younger generation
Carla Overbeck, winner of two World Cups and one Olympic gold medal,
is fighting to stay in the U.S. lineup.
The image of captain Carla Overbeck hoisting the World Cup over her shoulders may last forever. But less than a year since that glorious day in Pasadena, questions have arisen about how long her national career will last. Overbeck, who also captained the victorious 1996 Olympic squad, has played for her country since 1988. Her performance in last year’s Rose Bowl victory over China was superb. But when the team began in earnest its preparations for the 2000 Olympics, with a Feb. 6 friendly against Norway, new coach April Heinrichs started Overbeck on the bench – and it got worse. Four minutes after being subbed in, Overbeck notched an 81st-minute own goal that equalized the game at 2-2, and Norway went on to win, 3-2. Heinrichs had started 17-year-old Nandi Pryce in Overbeck’s place. Prior to the game, the 31-year-old Overbeck had started in 61 consecutive appearances for the national team. Yet Heinrichs, who has started Overbeck since, is quick to warn those who believe Overbeck’s days with her team are numbered. “I actually still consider her in her prime,” Heinrichs said. “A player of her experience and understanding, you cannot duplicate that, or fake it, either. She is unbelievably experienced and calm and composed. She is such a smart player.” Moreover, Overbeck took the Norway benching in stride. “I think she’s a professional,” Heinrichs said. “She just simply went about her business. She is a great role model for anyone else who should ever not start in the future. She’s just a classy woman. I think she took it like it was intended. This is just one game and just one of 30-plus starting lineups all year.” To be sure, Heinrichs’ great challenge is to weigh the experience of veterans like Overbeck against the younger corps of talent. The youngsters, Overbeck believes, will be ready to step in – after Australia. “After the Olympics,” Overbeck said, “there will probably be a large amount of turnover among the veteran players, but I think the younger players will step in right where we left off. “The Federation has made a commitment and investment in our youth through the under-21, U-18 and U-16 national teams. We never had that competition when we were growing up.”
Age-old questions
In a sport in which 30-year-olds are considered old, veterans like Overbeck inevitably face the question of speed. Does she still have the pace to handle the central defender’s role, which often requires flying in to fill gaps created by teammates’ errors? During the 1999 World Cup, Overbeck fared well against Denmark and North Korea, held her own against Germany, but looked less stable against speedy forwards of Nigeria and Brazil. The inconsistent play of left back Brandi Chastain, particularly against Germany and Nigeria, put added pressure on Overbeck, while the 23-year-old Kate Sobrero showed how valuable speed can be. Against Norway, Sobrero played Overbeck’s organizational role in central defense. Other options in the central defense are Pryce, Lorrie Fair, Sara Whalen, Christie Pearce and Michelle French. None, however, has 12 years of experience to fall back on. “I don’t think anyone has the understanding and experience to play the position as well as Carla,” Heinrichs said. “But I think that there are some younger players who are learning and hoping at some point they can understand that position.”
A move to midfield?
Overbeck’s rough day against Norway in February came when Heinrichs slotted her into the defensive midfield role normally played by Michelle Akers. “It was a tough spot to put her in going in for the last 15 minutes,” Heinrichs said. “It takes 15 minutes to warm up. Then we stuck her in the defensive holding midfield position to help secure the center of midfield. Julie Foudy joked about her legs running out from underneath her.” Indeed, it’s likely that the Norway performance presented an aberration rather than a sign of Overbeck’s decline, especially because Overbeck is a viable backup to oft-injured Akers. “It is a position I would consider Carla for, as a defensive central midfielder, sitting in behind two other midfielders maybe,” Heinrichs said. “You have to read the game well, kind of like a sweeper in the midfield. You have to be a player accustomed to having pressure from all around. “Carla’s career started in Dallas, Texas, as a central midfielder. You need to have a good heading presence, a defensive presence, a great work rate, all of which qualities Carla is very well suited for.” Heinrichs says media speculation over Overbeck’s future is simply a side effect of the U.S. team’s success in the World Cup. “That’s going to be one of the harder parts of being a player on the women’s national team now,” Heinrichs said. “You’re going to get your ratings in the newspaper, and they’re going to speculate about your future.” Overbeck, at least, has little trouble imagining another championship win, though she realizes the U.S. challengers keep improving. “Looking forward to the Olympics,” Overbeck said, “there is no doubt it will be a great challenge to win another gold medal as every team in the tournament is talented, motivated and will be well prepared. But knowing April, and having played with her, I’m sure she will have us ready to play at our best.” Then Overbeck may consider life outside of the national team fold. “I’ve been doing this for 12 years and they’ve been 12 great years,” she said. “I loved every minute of it, but looking to after the Olympics, there will come a time when it is someone else’s turn to play, to be the leader of this team and to continue the success.”
by Soccer America associate editor Dean Caparaz
