Despite injuries, U.S. captain and ’91 scoring sensation return for a shot at second gold medal

April Heinrichs will bring some major question marks to the Olympics.

While her Olympic roster didn’t surprise anyone, the selection of Michelle Akers and captain Carla Overbeck raises key issues for the defending Olympic champion. They were among the 15 remaining Women’s World Cup players on the 18-player U.S. Olympic roster. The 15 plus the three newcomers – goalkeeper Siri Mullinix, defender Danielle Slaton and midfielder Nikki Serlenga – were all expected to make the squad.

Heinrichs said she made up her mind months ago that Akers and Overbeck would be on her team. But neither is over her respective injury and may struggle to find minutes in Australia much less regain her starting position.

Akers missed most of the year with a shoulder injury; a bad knee sidelined Overbeck. Of the 30 games the United States played this year, including the 7-1 blowout of Russia, Akers played five and Overbeck played eight.

EDGE TO MULLINIX. Briana Scurry also missed games due to injury. The World Cup starter played just three times, including the Russia game. But she is apparently over a long bout of shin splints. And her case is much clearer than that of Akers or Overbeck: Unless Scurry suddenly returns to form or Mullinix gets hurt in the last few games before the Olympics, Mullinix will start in Australia.

Heinrichs has certainly fostered that idea in recent weeks but wants it clear that she has not yet named her Olympic starters.

“I have not named Siri the starting goalkeeper for the Olympics,” Heinrichs said after the Russia game. “What I’ve said is Siri is our starting goalkeeper right now. All of the positions are still open.”

She expects to name her 11 starters around the Brazil friendly on Sept. 1.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR AKERS. Meanwhile, Akers has a fight on her hands in the middle. Serlenga and Lorrie Fair and have played well next to Julie Foudy in central midfield. Akers scored an easy goal against Russia but clearly was not in top form.

She didn’t cover as much ground as she needs to in Heinrichs’ 4-4-2 formation, which is what the U.S. will probably start out with in the Olympics. Playing side by side with Foudy, instead of playing behind other midfielders as in the 4-3-3 used at USA ’99 or a 3-5-2, may prove too taxing for Akers.

Heinrichs expects an improved Akers in Australia.

“With Michelle, it is going to be a day-to-day thing,” Heinrichs said. “We are going to watch her and give her opportunities to succeed. Over time, what I have noticed and what I know about Michelle is that she always overcomes adversity, and I think she will again.”

PLACE FOR OVERBECK. Overbeck poses the biggest dilemma. How does someone who is only about 70 percent healthy one month before the Olympics make the Olympic team?

“While Carla’s knee might be at only 70 to 75 percent right now, her will and power among these players along, with her leadership, makes her the glue of this team,” Heinrichs said. “Every team has a glue, and I think Carla is the glue for this team. I was prepared to tell Carla three months ago that she would make this Olympic team based just on her leadership alone.”

Heinrichs says those leadership qualities alone make Overbeck worth bringing. She even joked that if Overbeck couldn’t play at all, she would bring the 32-year-old defender as an assistant coach.

“Carla Overbeck’s presence in this team is felt three to four times a day, even in training,” Heinrichs said. “She is one tough woman at overcoming adversity. She is the most classy, consistent and strong leader even when things aren’t going well for her. A lot of people are good citizens and team players when they’re a starter, but when things turn difficult, when a player has an injury or doesn’t start … That’s what’s so very impressive – she has been same, consistent, strong leader for this team as starter as she is now.”

Heinrichs has defensive insurance in alternates Michelle French and Nandi Pryce. Both can play in central defense.

The other alternates are goalkeeper Jenni Branam and forward Christie Welsh.

French and Branam will travel to Australia and train under U.S. U-21 coach Jillian Ellis, who will also scout opposing teams for Heinrichs. Unless there’s a rash of injuries, Welsh and Pryce will stay with their respective college teams, Penn State and Ellis’ UCLA.

Clemson’s Tracey Leone will also scout teams for Heinrichs in Australia.

by Soccer America associate editor Dean Caparaz