Carla Overbeck was a model of consistency for the U.S. women.
While most of her teammates got a rest at some point during Sweden ’95, U.S. captain Carla Overbeck never left the field.
“I never really wanted to,” said Overbeck, who has played every minute in 36 straight matches.
Overbeck was one of only two U.S. players — Super Mom Joy Fawcett was the other — to play all 540 minutes in the space of only 13 days at Sweden ’95. And she saw plenty of action at sweeper — probably more than the U.S. team would have hoped for.
As the team’s only true sweeper, Overbeck may be the most valuable player on the roster because she can’t really be replaced if she gets hurt or is suspended.
Luckily for the United States, Overbeck was one of the most consistent players throughout the tournament, whether she was breaking up a goalscoring chance, picking up an attacking player who got through or occasionally bringing the ball up out of the back.
“In the China game [3-3] there were a lot of breakdowns,” Overbeck said of the opener. “After the game, everyone thought the defense … mentally we were not OK. The coaching staff kept telling us we weren’t playing defensively well as a team.”
In the critical group match against Denmark game and in the quarterfinal against Japan, Overbeck picked up the pace, closing down the opposition attack and doubling on attacking players before they could get anything going.
“She reads the game so well,” said Fawcett. “She’s there to cover for whoever the players that come through. I think she’s had a great tournament, and she’s a great player.”
Overbeck has also been one of the leaders of the team. Many of the players were down after the shocking tie against China, so she could be heard constantly yelling instructions at teammates. She’s even been vocal with the officials. At one point after what she considered a bad call by a lineswoman in the game against Denmark, Overbeck pointed to her eye and told her she was wearing too much eyeliner.
In both the 1991 tournament and this one, Overbeck’s been lucky to have husband Greg around. Greg Overbeck, whom she married some two and a half years ago, has been one of the chefs the national team brought with it to feed the players whatever they want, though the most extravagant item he’s been asked to cook is lasagna.
Having played for the national team since 1988, the 26-year-old Overbeck says she’ll play in the upcoming U.S. women’s tournament in the United States later this summer and through the 1996 Olympics. But after that, she says she’ll retire.
Would she come back if the U.S. hosts the 1999 World Cup?
“I’d have to say probably not,” she said. “After the Olympics I’m going to think about having a family. If the coach wants me to, maybe I’ll think about it. But that’s still a long way away, and I’ll be much older. I don’t know if my body can put up with it.”
by Soccer America Associate Editor Dean Caparaz