Michelle Akers had the misfortune of facing injury and illness throughout her career, but she had the good luck of being the first woman to shine on the world’s stage.

Akers wasn’t the MVP of the 1991 Women’s World Cup in China – that honor went to teammate Carin Gabarra – but she was its undisputed star.

More so than any other player, she proved to men that women could play this game.

Akers scored 10 goals in China – including a record five against Taiwan in the quarterfinals – and stood out for her athleticism. She was even acclaimed by Pele, one No. 10 to another.

Her play stunned the international soccer community, about as chauvinistic a bunch as you will find.

The China World Cup ended shortly before the World Cup ’94 qualifying draw was held. Few people had actually seen the women’s finals in Punyu, Foshan and Guangzhou, but the buzz in New York was about the reports out of China on the U.S. team and its star.

American soccer didn’t have much of a reputation at the time – the men’s national team had been blown out at the ’90 World Cup and its win at the ’91 Gold Cup was largely ignored – so Akers’ performance was a big deal.

In the years since, Akers and her teammates have become mainstream stars in the United States.

Acceptance of the women’s game abroad has been more elusive, but little by little it’s coming. When the Paris magazine France Football, considered the leading authority on the international game, published profiles of the 100 leading soccer personalities (players, coaches, executives) for 2000, three female players made the list: Brandi Chastain, Chinese star Sun Wen and French captain Corinne Diacre. A decade earlier, such recognition would have been unthinkable.

The women’s game has come a long way since China, and it owes a debt of gratitude to Akers.


FANS, LET’S HEAR YOUR VIEW

Click here to log onto (Soccer) American Graffiti. Then click on the topic titled “PAUL KENNEDY… Thanks, Michelle” and respond to Paul Kennedy in 200 words or less.

Best responses may be reprinted in Soccer America Magazine. If YOUR View is selected, we’ll send you a cool T-shirt and pin…

Because You’re FANATIC. . .