The U.S. women aren’t wasting much time. Less than two months after U.S. Women’s Cup ’95, the national team will hold a training camp Sept. 21-30 at the ARCO Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., near San Diego, to continue preparations for the 1996 Olympics.
But they’ll do so without Linda Hamilton, who has retired. A starting defender on the 1991 and 1995 World Championship teams, Hamilton cited recurring knee problems as the main reason behind her decision.
“My doctors told me that by continuing to play at such a high level of competition, I’d be risking permanent damage to my knees,” she said. “I decided it was time for me to move on, but I’m very proud of being part of the national team program for nine years.”
Hamilton had been scheduled to come to the camp, but now former Portland defender Erica Parish, who has signed to play professionally in Japan, takes her place on 24-player roster.
Even before Hamilton retired, the defense was an area that DiCicco wanted to strengthen, partially because he wants to move starting marking back Joy Fawcett to midfield. Fawcett was a major force when she started in Tiffany Roberts’ place at outside midfield against Australia in the World Cup. In the past the national team used Roberts as a defender.
“It could basically just be a flip for those two,” he said.
Eleven other players from the ’95 World Cup roster will be on hand. Missing are Thori Staples (N.C. State), Debbie Keller (UNC) and Holly Manthei (Notre Dame), who are currently playing for their college teams. Also absent are college head coaches Carin Gabarra (Navy) and Joy Fawcett (UCLA) and assistant coaches Mia Hamm (North Carolina) and Carla Overbeck (Duke).
High school players Jenn Grubb, Lorrie Fair, Laurie Schwoy and Rebekah McDowell are among the other players attending the camp.
Among the veterans back for another look are Brandi Chastain, Kim Wyant and Megan McCarthy.
by Soccer America Associate Editor Dean Caparaz