Inside Soccer
Inside Soccer
The One and Only Michelle Akers. Mic Drop.
Inside Soccer's Bill Peterson has an incredible conversation with one of the most interesting persons in sport, FIFA Player of the Century, FIFA 100, HoFer, The One and Only Michelle Akers.
Hello and welcome back. You're listening to another incredible episode of Inside soccer when your host bill Peterson inside soccer brings you a soccer fan expert analysis and opinion on the critical issues facing the game today. Awesome guests that have incredible stories and historical perspectives on the game. With soccer experience batting 20 A Rolodex is open to bring you the voices and opinions you want. Sit back at wherever you are in the world. And enjoy today's episode.
Unknown Speaker :Welcome back inside soccer listeners. My name is Bill Peterson and this is inside soccer Episode 19. This episode brought to you by top sports solutions. If you have a challenge, top sport has a solution. Today we reach a height so great and an honor so big I could have never imagined we'd be here on episode 19. So I want to forego the normal opening and all the chitchat that I normally do. And let's spend this entire session with our guests today. And it is a guest of honor she has played in the 1991 and 1999 World Cup, she won the Golden shoe in 1991 with 10 goals in that world cup. She's played in the Olympics in 1996 and won a gold medal played in Europe. And we're going to find out if she was the first woman to ever play in your professional because I have a sense that maybe at least one of the early ones but played in a country near and dear to me in 1992 and 90 453 caps for the US national team. And these next two are just incredible for me to sort of comprehend FIFA female player of the century which is just an incredible honor that first of all, FIFA realized at that stage that females did play because I lived in Europe during that time and wasn't always that way. And also made the FIFA list 100 lists which was put together by Paley and some others at FIFA and was inducted into the US National Soccer Hall of Fame along with Eric Wynalda and Paul caligiuri. So a lot of honors, please let me welcome the incredible Michelle Akers. Hello, Michelle.
Unknown Speaker :How are you? I'm fine.
Unknown Speaker :It's a long list. I think I kind of short it's a long list. So we have a we have a lot to cover. But you know, it's I just keep unearthing things and you know, a little bit of shame on me. I lived in Europe in the 90s when you were really hitting your stride I think was a lot of this and was not really too involved with soccer was just getting my head around it. We had relationships with IX and Barcelona and Croatia and some others. So through osmosis, I was like rubbing elbows with some of the greats and you know, I couldn't tell you one thing about it at the time. And 2000 Yeah, 2000 I came back and worked for Ag and you know, I've been involved now in some form or fashion for for 20 years. And you know, as I've told you, I knew of you and I've known some of these things, but digging into it. It's incredible the impact you've had on the game And so again, let's let's get into this and let's start at the beginning. Michelle and tell us how you first got into soccer
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, so I grew up in Santa Clara, California and until like the age of 10 and I was one of those girls who was the the only girl that single girl in a pack of boys playing some sport right? It whether it was in the street playing football and I I always wanted to be like mean Joe Greene on a Pittsburgh Steelers. Okay, I loved him and I had his jersey and like that was my total dream Did you line
Unknown Speaker :up at an angle like could you get down on three point stance lineup at an angle?
Unknown Speaker :I probably did yeah. The smallest you know I played against like the high school boys and and all the boys in the in the middle of the street you know when you do you're playing and you're like car yeah and then you run off yeah that that was us and then so I was like that little girl trying to be him and running into these guys and just getting shed like you know a piece of dust off their off their their arm so um, I tried and and my third grade teacher in fact Mrs. Erickson I had a share yours like one of those sharing days and I brought a warm my jersey and I had my football and I was like, Yes. I'm telling I'm gonna tell them about being a Pittsburgh Steeler and me Joe green and I'm playing the NFL. And she was like, girls don't play football. And I and I was like, Yes, they do. And I was sent to the principal's office over that. So my mom was called and I was horrified. I was going to be in trouble and said she chewed out the principal and told him you know, don't ever tell my daughter what she can And can't do that was kind of like yeah, nice. Yeah. So I did not become a Pittsburgh Steeler obviously. But I played like one on the soccer field. That's my consolation. So you know, with with all of that my mom just started putting me in sports. She kind of gave up on ballet and kind of girl common culture, girl type activities, and then tried me God play baseball and every sport, and then she tried soccer. It was a new sport in Santa Clara. And the PA all had their first league and I was the, you know, on their first teams, that goals were allowed to play on there. So that's, that's how I got into it.
Unknown Speaker :That's incredible. So what you may or may not know is I'm actually from Western Pennsylvania and grew up, you know, in the 70s, when the Steelers were actually winning a lot of games. And one of the other deals we have here is a pro football show that I do with Mike mularkey, who played for the Steelers and coach for the Steelers. And so we sit around and talk a lot about the influence those guys had and I got a chance to travel with Chuck Noll. And then these other things and you know the influence they had on us so when you're telling that story, I'm like she's from Western PA. She's one of us. We were all Steeler fans, and we all it was mean Joe and jack Lambert and you know, the rest of them it was it was great.
Unknown Speaker :Iron Curtain baby. But that
Unknown Speaker :attitude it sounds like that attitude somehow from you know, the oil in California you were able to sort of adopt as your own and and apply it and, you know, did an incredible job. I ended up going to college on the East Coast at UCF, which, you know, I don't think I heard of UCF until a few years ago. So how did you hear about it? How did you end up there?
Unknown Speaker :Well, I was when I was 10. We moved from Santa Clara to Seattle, and that was a super Northwest was a huge soccer hotbed at that time because the NASL Seattle Sounders and all those players when they retired, or even when they're so playing, they kind of embedded into the community to grow the game. And so while I was there, I loved my favorite player was Dave guillet. For this Seattle Sounders number 17, Dave guillot. And so I like worshiped Dave guillet on the field, and of course Palais and a bunch of other players. So that was an amazing place to be a soccer player, my, my dad would come to my games, and travelled and to our little tournaments we went to and there we traveled with this two girls team that was two years younger than us all the time and their coach. Her name was Sue and Sue came up to me one day and was like, Hey, your dad's kind of cute. So I introduced them, they wound up getting married. And this is the long story is Sue was one of the first females to go to the US Soccer coaching school for an a license. And at that school, she met a guy named Jim Rudy, who was the head coach at University of Central Florida. So she had like a great impression of him, versus most of the other guys in that school. We're very, you know, like, stringent German culture. Women don't play soccer. Women don't do soccer. This is a male only thing. So she when it came time to be recruited, you know, Anson recruited me to go there heavily. And I wouldn't checked out a bunch of schools, but in the end, I looked at University of Central Florida and sue my step mom, she's my step monster I call her said, Oh my gosh, I love Jim Rudy, and I love the school. I loved that. They were number two in the country at the time. This was an 84. No, at 84. Yeah. And I like the fact that they didn't have all the I don't know. It wasn't like they were a shoo in to win anything. And we would have to work hard and and be tough and work together. And it was almost like we are underdogs, to be UNC, or to be national champions and that the combination of all those things just was really exciting to me. So that's how I got to University of Central Florida all the way to Orlando from Seattle, and I know it couldn't be further.
Unknown Speaker :That is a fantastic story. That's a fantastic story. And it is a great school, but it has changed. I mean, Orlando has changed. I started doing work there are 91 and you know, I live two hours away. Now if I go Now it's like, You hardly recognize it. But the school has really grown up. I mean, it is. It is a it is a big deal here in Florida and other places for a lot of reasons. But, man, that is cool. But you get on a plane in Orlando and I say you're flying to Seattle. That is that's a day's worth of flights right there, oh,
Unknown Speaker :long, long ass flight. And you know that. And those were the days when we didn't have cell phones. So to call my parents literally got on a phone call from Michelle, you know? So, you know, it just was really, it was a big decision. I, you know, I was basically following my dream. So that was the impetus for me, and the courage to do that. And never, and I never looked back because of it, although I was extremely homesick. First, I was like, What am I doing here? Yeah. Yeah. Our team was awesome, though. Because half the team was a bunch of New Yorkers, who, you know, at the F word was every other word. Yeah. The other half was, you know, Christians that were, you know, bringing the Bible into practice. And so it was like this incredible mix of people. And we came together, and they were tough as nails and worked hard and loved each other on the field. And it was a really great, great team and great environment to be a part of.
Unknown Speaker :That's fantastic. So what do you think has changed the most in the college game since the time you played until today?
Unknown Speaker :Gosh, do we have five hours? For well, gosh, okay, so the reason why I went west coast, from Seattle was because there was no D one teams on the west coast. So because Santa Clara recruited me University of Washington, but they were they were club teams, right? So they had no scholarship money, there was nothing there. So when I thought was my choices were east coast. So now, I just the girls and guys, they have so many schools to choose from the money, the scholarship opportunities are amazing. The facilities are amazing. The cost the level of plays, is obviously much higher now. Probably except for Anson and a few other teams. So it I mean, and the number, just the number of coaches now, players, alumni that have all been involved in the sport, it's just, it's black and white, it's a totally different experience. Now, although at the core of it, of course, it it's essentially the same. We're all you know, getting on the field and loving to play the game and, and trying to do some classes on the side, you know,
Unknown Speaker :it's really good to see them. But I but that's division one athletics too. That's another conversation we've had here, which we'll do again on another day. But if you commit to that scholarship, you've committed your life to, you know, that's, that's what that's what sort of directs you every day is is your, your commitment to soccer. And then you've got to figure out how to get an education around that because it's, it's it's big time. We had coach Eddie from Clemson on a few weeks ago, and they just finished it like I think about a $30 million facility for the women's team. The men's team has won as well. And it's just absolutely gorgeous. So, I mean, I personally love it. I've got I've got a daughter to plays on if she was until she tore ACL a couple weeks ago. Yeah. But you know, you think about this really started in a lot of places as a women's sport. And, and not every place, I understand that, but not every place, but a lot of places. And it is, if you look at a club, probably 50% or close to 50% women, it's great to see the facilities, it's great to see the competitions, the things that are happening for them the NW SL, which we'll talk about in a minute, all that stuff's starting to finally take root and I think a real way and for to be recognized. So that's cool. And you were part of getting that started, you know, I'm sure he didn't think that at the time, but looking back on it now you definitely were.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, and, you know, I it's it's, for me, it's it's really cool to think about because I you know, I was just like wanting to play. And so I went where the game was, but prior to that, like my step mom or even my mom, they didn't have that choice. And so Title Nine changed everything for for girls and women, those opportunities and but it takes people to continually push men and women and so that's what's happened, which is been really incredible to be at the beginning of but also to continue to you know, Step up, and, and, and, and help that movement and help kids and these programs continue to succeed. So it's it's, I don't know, I think it's great. And it's, for me, it's not just about the women either. I mean, a lot of the guys, I keep in touch with, you know, through Facebook and social media, who was the guy's players on the men's team at UCF. And I used to go and train with them. And they are much as part of my development as as the women's side. So I really love that it's all we're all connected. And it's, the sport is great for everyone in anyone.
Unknown Speaker :Yep. Yep. And there's a there's a community there for sure. So, the club system today has obviously changed since when you played and I and look, part of it, I guess, is a natural sort of organic development, maturation of it, it gets bigger clubs get absorbed by larger clubs and everything else. But what's your general opinion of the state of the club soccer scene today? And is it a positive? Is it too big? I mean, what do you think?
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, that's, I got
Unknown Speaker :and I know, we're gonna have to do a whole series.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, that's loaded.
Unknown Speaker :You know, I am not in the middle of all of that. Right. But, you know, I think there's a lot of incredible improvements and, and opportunities for these players. And, and, and coaches. I think also, there's a lot of lost opportunities, and, I guess, qualities of back in the old days. You know, for instance, when I was a player, so when I was 13, I played on under under 19. So I played what, five, six years of under 19. And that was part of my development, had I been forced to stay at my own age level, like nowadays, what I have developed more and as much I you know, that's, I don't think so i i think i thought that really helped me so I, I kind of wish there was a mix of
Unknown Speaker :more of a player focused
Unknown Speaker :culture mentality in the in the current game, but also utilizing all the technology and resources and skosh new new subcultures that we have to combine them into one sort of successful, comprehensive program with nuances that address different issues or different kinds of players or different needs we have in the various parts of our country. So I think you'll be better able to answer all of that, and I would,
Unknown Speaker :yeah, I don't know. I mean, I've got a couple of opinions. I mean, you know, I will harken back to when I went to ag our honor, jokingly sometimes, and sometimes I think he was dead serious. But he privately because he didn't speak publicly to the media, but privately and say, Look, I love soccer, because you need a ball and some shorts bill, you got to look like you know, I just come from no NFL thing. And I guess you don't have to look like yeah, I go. I don't take it personally anymore. But now, you know, that's not really true. I mean, you better have some, you gotta have money to pay fees, and travel and equipment, and this and that anything else. And so I wish the high school scene would come back because I think it would open a game up to some people who maybe can't afford to play. Yeah. And I wish the clubs would and I know this is almost impossible, but I wish somehow they could de emphasize the college scholarship, because I think they end up losing so many kids at an early age. You know, I tell this story way too often. But I knew this kid a couple years ago, he was a 1415. He was a leading scorer on his team, the whole thing and the coach goes out and recruits a player to come in the next year and tells him he's not gonna start a striker. He goes, that's fine. I'm a five handicap. I'll see you later. And it goes on and concentrates on this. And now he's got a golf scholarship, and he's playing golf. You know, it's like a 14, you made that decision. You know, you couldn't find a way. It shouldn't have been about winning at 14 and it shouldn't be about only going to college, because I think we're gonna waste the experience of too many kids because now everybody needs to win, right? Everybody needs to be on the top team and everything else and that's wrong, too. But anyway, so
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, I agree. That's what I mean. It's more, I wish it could be more and I said player, centered focused, but I meant more people centered, you know, develop the person because realize people are only going to play Sports for so long and at the end of the day, you need to be developing the person who's going to, you know, be on the planet for hopefully 80 plus years. So,
Unknown Speaker :yeah, you know, I agree. I agree. I mean, that's
Unknown Speaker :kind of gotten lost in the, in the mix of the big, big, big business of the game. So I wish that would come back more.
Unknown Speaker :I totally agree. I think I think the lessons you learn playing a team sport, and I've watched my daughters do individual sports as well. And I think there's some benefits of that. That's different, but there's some benefit but the team sport piece, you know that those are lessons that will help you be successful throughout life and they shouldn't get lost. I agree.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, I agree, too.
Unknown Speaker :All right. So we've got a lot to cover. This is inside soccer, Episode 19. We have the great Michelle Akers with us. And we're going to continue through our list of questions and start to transfer a little bit now to your career with the national team and professionally.
Unknown Speaker :How did you end up in Sweden?
Unknown Speaker :I know of all the places
Unknown Speaker :I love Sweden. I my my father's family from there. I love I love from Malmo. I love I love Sweden. Oh yeah, I've been there a number of times. But when I saw that, I was like, Wait a second. How did you end up there?
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, it's so random. So I was before the it was I think 89 so I graduated from college. And there was, you know, a national team. And I wanted to continue to develop as a player, no Pro League no really place to play. I mean, I went out I went in order to just keep playing and, and continue to be challenged and develop myself as a player. I, I went to the Orlando lions tryouts just to have a week of training. Not that I even wanted to make the team although I made it to the final cuts and the coaches like, Look, Michelle, we can't have any women on our team. I was like, I don't care. I'm just here to train. So um, you know, trying to find places to develop, it was really tough. So I said, Okay, what can I do all I'm gonna look overseas. So, Anson, I was a midfielder, Anson wanted me to be a striker of top goalscorer, and that that was a foreign and super uncomfortable endeavor for me. So I was looking for a way to develop myself into a striker and a game changer player. So this team, this person in Stockholm at this club, tirso ff, which I can't pronounce, right, because it's more like two, which I can't quite get. So I just call them tears. So they contacted me and his name was all there. And he no way Hey, come play at our club where we are D two, we want to go up to D one, we need a good player. So I was like, sure, because, again, it fit right into what I love to be as kind of this underdog, but also, I had to learn how to be this game changer player. So I said this is perfect. So I went I went over there. And then I got I I lived in the castle to Chris's slot and played with this team and the coaches were the Sweden, women's national team coach and Swedish youth national team coach Gunilla and Rica. So it did what I needed. And I Oh, my gosh, it was the best experience. I loved being there. I love that culture. The people were just they were so great. I I had the best time. And so after that was in 90, then our world cup 91. So once the World Cup was announced, and we played and we won that, to share that experience in Sweden, was what enabled me to be that player and 91. It helped me learn how to be a game changer. And so I got to do that for the US. And so I went back again in 91. And some of my teammates went with me from the US team. And so what I mean, what a great experience. I was just the best time I had so much fun and we just really, it was really rich, rich, rich experience. Oh my gosh, and I love their chocolate was out of it's great.
Unknown Speaker :I mean, you're you're plowing snow, you're groundbreaking by going were you the first American to play in Europe.
Unknown Speaker :I don't know. Um, I know,
Unknown Speaker :Eric will claim to be the first American to play in Germany. So I don't know. I don't know. But you had to be one of the earliest if not the earliest I mean,
Unknown Speaker :there, there was no other American players in Sweden right at the time. Otherwise I would have been like, Oh my gosh, hi, you know,
Unknown Speaker :well and people that may not know people that maybe much younger than me, which is most of the population. If I've got this right, I mean, back at a time it was the US, Sweden and China, right. And women's soccer.
Unknown Speaker :Norway
Unknown Speaker :and Norway, Norway, okay. Norway rather than Sweden or Norway and
Unknown Speaker :Norway. Okay. It was our Nemesis back then. Okay. beaches, so to speak. We called them because they were certain You're so tough. I have to be. We hated them. And but we I love them because we hated them. It was just the best. I loved it. So yeah, Norway, China. I mean, Brazil was amazing to Germany. Incredible. You know? Yeah. Germany. Sweden was good, too. You know, they had a, those places had solid leagues.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, that's my point. My point was, I mean, you weren't you weren't? You didn't go to some country that couldn't play soccer. I mean, they were they were actually pretty good at the time.
Unknown Speaker :They were good. Yeah, they were good. Yeah. We, I mean, the only reason why the USA won was because of Ansan. And our athleticism, and, and the mentality we had, and we weren't on the level tactically or technically as those top teams in the world, for women's soccer that in that era, but but we made up for it. And then with athleticism and mentality, and then Ansan, you know, played to our strengths. So our, our strategy was scoring more goals than they could score against us. And that's how we're going to win. So we did.
Unknown Speaker :Wow. And so your thoughts today on, you know, the men have been migrating more and more, and playing in bigger clubs. And now in the last really, almost 12 months, maybe 18 months, you see a movement to your by the women as well.
Unknown Speaker :What are your thoughts? Fantastic. Yeah, it's fantastic.
Unknown Speaker :You know, the rest of the world has this sport down and, and secondly, to develop as a player, it's so important to be exposed to other players who are at at a higher level than you experienced different styles of play different coaches. So doing that, to me only can improve you as a player, but also increase the experience and culture in our own country. So it's so exciting that these players have an opportunity to do that. I love it.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, and especially on the women's side, I mean, half jokingly, but actually quite serious in the 90s when I lived there, if you said something about women's soccer, they would they would laugh and go, did they really place women's soccer? Agree, you know, and now I've got a friend as a CEO at Crystal Palace, he said, Bill, it's for real. He goes, we are we are all investing in this everyone is dead serious. And it's gonna just it's because it's gonna grow like, like a firework is gonna be spread out over the next few years?
Unknown Speaker :Yes. And that, to me is really exciting, as well, because it's kind of a call to arms for the USA. Yes. You know, we, we do have the NW SL, which is it is great. And it's it's solid there, you know, a lot of exciting things happening there as well. However, the challenge is, how do you keep up with these countries who have, you know, football or soccer as, you know, a central figure in their culture and have these layers and depth of knowledge and understanding that we don't have so I
Unknown Speaker :know, they can draw players? I mean, it's a rounding error, right now they can draw players and they have a million 100 million dollar facilities and everything else that, you know, as a player guy, hey, I want to go play for the Spurs as well, you know, I mean,
Unknown Speaker :absolutely, yes, absolutely. But then, so which is cool, because if, you know, players explore over there and take advantage of these other opportunities in other countries, but that that, you know, opens up more opportunity here in the US as well. So I think it's a benefit in a positive in just a million ways.
Unknown Speaker :I think so too. So I've had this conversation about the men forever and ever and I was like, Look, don't be afraid of it. I mean, it's gonna force the US coaches and player systems to really focus on true development not hoping to catch someone, you know, in a fly trap and say, Look how great our club is because we had so and so play for us. No, now you're gonna have to go out and really focus because everyone Everybody's got the whole system is got to focus on getting better, or this thing will will topple over and only the people who go to Europe will be any good. And then we won't be very good as a country. So I think it's all positive. And it's it's, it's probably scary for some people have been around for a while. And it's probably scary for people that have to be responsible for the performance of those teams. But at the end of the day, I think, you know, the challenge, you're right, it's going to be it's going to be a tough, tough challenge the next decade or so, on the women's side, as all these other players get chances they didn't get before. And we're gonna have to fight hard. But you mentioned NW, sl, it's on our list of things to touch on. I'm a huge fan in a short period of time. I mean, what are your thoughts?
Unknown Speaker :Oh, I'm a huge fan, too. I mean, I wish I could play, I want to play. And they're growing. And this the corporate level of support is growing, the fan base is growing. And the national us women's national team is a part of their success. And their personalities are, you know, on the field on and off the field, are part of that success and continued growth. So I, again, I, I'm so excited. I wish, I wish it could be more. I wish we had more teams than we then we have at present, but at the same time that you know, the economic model, the the business model for it is is proving successful so far. So I, I'm excited that it's growing. And, and being watched more and applauded as much as it is so that you know, how the NWS all handled the COVID situation to me was really remarkable and inspiring, as well, they were they had such class and a lot of courage a lot. I don't know if I could have done that, you know, to be honest, so I watched them I was just in awe really. So the things that they are facing as a league and as specific clubs and teams and people is is is monumental. life threatening drama, you know, can't possibly so they're taking a lot on and I'm, I can't tell you how impressed I am or inspired I am by who they are and what they're doing. As a sport and as a people you know,
Unknown Speaker :yeah, there's something interesting about this, this version that and I don't know if it's me, or if it's something else, but I really enjoy watching your matches now and and part of it was them coming out of the box first. I mean, they were really the first professional league to play coming out of this. Which is is very courageous, as you say. And we had Commissioner Baird on and you know, they were very focused, very resolute. They knew what they needed to do, but they knew they needed to play as well. And you know, I think that captured me just a year using courage I'd use balls that they had to do to make this thing work and to go out there and do it and not even like they weren't afraid to make it happen. And they played great, great soccer and it was fun to watch we've had some of their owners on as well. It's good to see the ownership stepping up and taking control the league from US Soccer and thank you for soccer for you know providing a backstop forum. Yeah. But I think if they're you know, they continue to be smart and expand at a reasonable rate because everyone wants continuity. Nobody wants teams opening and closing I get that you know, it's it. It should be here to stay and it should be entertaining. It shouldn't be you know, oh yeah, we have to have a Women's League No, you're gonna want to go watch this I think
Unknown Speaker :yeah, that that's yet to me that's the point is like, develop players Well, it has to be successful financially correct and but develop players and then make it exciting to watch and a part of the community. It's sort of To me it's, it reminds me of the NASL days in the 70s you know like it for Seattle those guys they were selling the game and that's what this this Women's League is still doing and needs to keep doing that the Seattle Sounders were part of our community they you know, they made the game exciting you got to know them as people but and they they made you know our This not only the soccer family and soccer community better but they they made our you know, the Seattle area better by being by being there. So I think that's that's the part maybe what One or two pieces that can can accelerate this endeavor w SL in each venue.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, great points. Great points. Okay, so, we're gonna have a couple of quickfire questions at the end. But before we get there, by all means, share with our listeners on inside soccer, what you're doing now, because I find this to be as a person has had such an impressive career, this part really is impressive to me. So please share with us
Unknown Speaker :thanks. Well, I'm a mom of a 15 year old so that's, that's one part of it. Um, it's yours, which is like God helped me and it's the best thing of my life. So that is one and and then I I've been doing horse an animal rescue for Gosh, since now I'm trying to think of the year 2007. So I just love it. I I you know, when I retired You know, one of my dreams aside from being mean, Joe Greene on the Pittsburgh Steelers was to to have my own Black Stallion as a kid, I read the Black Stallion books. And I, I would like daydream about being that kid on the Black Stallion and having that kind of connection with this amazing horse. And so when I retired, that's all I could think about was, oh my gosh, I can't wait to just, you know, ride off into the sunset. And so I got my first horses I bought like five acres and, and then, and then one day, someone knocked on my door and said, Have you seen this horse and there's a horse down the road, alone and starboard. And they had called animal control for months, and nothing happened. So eventually, months later, animal control with the police came in and pick up this horse. And I just wanted to go to this, that to the barn where it was taken and was being fostered to like get have, you know, the, the picture of it in a good place. And like the story closed with the happy ending in my head. So I went there. And these people I said, Hey, we're would you sign up on a list to transport other horses that are in the situation for animal control? And I was like, Oh, sure. So I put my name on it my number in the next morning. They called me we have there's a horse that's been confiscated. The owner is being charged criminally abuse for abuse and would you foster it? And it was near death? And I? I don't I was like, I don't know I let me think about it. Because I never had an animal like that in my care. And I am not I know I'm super tough. It but at the same time, I am all heart and that's what drives me so I didn't know if I could crush him handle having this horse who you know, was near death and abused in my barn and having to see it every day. But in the end, I said it was it's the famous words of Kristine Lilly one of my favorite players for the USA number 13 sheet, she always just say it's, it's so easy just to try. And so I was like, Okay, I'm just gonna try. So I went asked some friends to help me went picked up the horse and I was what I walked her into the barn and she, she just went like that. And I was like, Oh my god, this is all it takes to make like a life changing difference is to care. And so I, day by day, asked for help and advice and tried, tried things I I loved her I better did whatever she needs, whether you ever she needed. And she made it and I realized then I was like oh my gosh, I could do this. Anybody could show I'm going to start asking people to just help one out at a time. And we I can make a real difference. So that's how I got into it. It has been I got the the most heartbreaking, wonderfully blessed, deep, joyful experience. And I have loved every single day of it no matter how hard it's been or no regrets. So now this is what I do. And we have
Unknown Speaker :some horses and goats and dogs and cats and always looking, you know, looking for sponsors and donations and how can I make this a bigger impact. So now, now my goal is transition to you know, asking and involving the soccer community. So like What are where I want it to be as in wherever an MLS team is, or an nws l team is can we incorporate that that community, that soccer community into the animal welfare to gaming community to make make a difference in everyone's lives, the animals and the people. So that's my kind of my, one of my bigger goals. But for now, it's it's me cleaning up all the poop in the Sol's every single day and taking care of everybody and, you know, I'm having, I'm having the best, the best time and it you know, with COVID going on, I know I'm talking a long time, but that would be going on it really, you know, in all the social unrest and all the chaos that is going on. And I, I kind of figured out it, I can go one of two ways I can get lost and in the fear or the uncertainty of all of that, or I can allow that, to narrow down the few things that I'm passionate about. And that I love and, and let those things be my focus and my path for my purpose. And so that just enforced that even more this past month. So that's anyway, that's my Michelle Akers horse rescue,
Unknown Speaker :oh, you're a you're a first responder to an extent, you know, except every day, not just 2020. So, you know, look, these are amazing animals I grew up around horses. They are, I've grown, I've had a lot of animals, between me and my siblings and my children. There's something special about horses, they have an intelligence that is a little bit higher than your average. Not to disparage dogs, but it's a lot higher than the average dog. And they look at you in the eyes. And you know, they they know what's going on. So I can imagine the, the, the difficulty of finding one that's, you know, in trouble, but also the reward of watching it go out one day and not being you know, in that condition anymore. So how do people help you plug your plug, plug what you're doing here?
Unknown Speaker :Okay, how do people help me right, you know, right now financially is that it's, it's the biggest crunch time and in history. So donations, that's a 501, c three. So donations, Michelle akers.org, and my social media, I'm on Instagram and Twitter and all that I'm always putting on a million pictures of everybody. I think today I put on one of the pictures of I call him the goat. He's He's His name's Little Joe. He's 13 years old. And so I'm always putting pictures and stories up about who they are and where they came from. But you know, what, what their personality is like, and the interaction we have every day, so that you can always reach me, reach me through there, donate through those channels as well.
Unknown Speaker :Well, we'll do what we can to help help promote that a little bit. It's a it's an incredible cause. And it's an incredible transition for you as well. I mean, you are you are this. Here, this explorer here, this adventure type person. I mean, you're here, you went to UCF into Sweden, and now you're rescuing horses. I mean, I'm glad they discovered the South Pole before you were in your 20s. Or you might have been down there on a sled or something. You never know. I know. I love it. I love the spirit. I love the spirit. So a couple of quickfire questions, because we're up against our time. Although I think we could have done this for a day or two. So briefly,
Unknown Speaker :in your mind, what makes a great midfielder?
Unknown Speaker :Oh, wow. Okay, great midfielder. Well, the midfield dictates the game, right? So I think the midfield is is that like, you know, the core of the apple. They're dictating the pace of the game. They're the flow, the defense. So that to me, a great midfielder has to be able to defend and attack but also have the capacity to read the game and understand what needs to be done next, in the next steps defensively, and in the attack, so versatile.
Unknown Speaker :High work rate, vision,
Unknown Speaker :composure, and the all around athlete. You know, that's that's kind of how I picture it. What about you?
Unknown Speaker :No, no, I totally agree. I think, you know, look, I think playing out of the back is, is something that can be learned and done. I think shooting at the goal is something that you either have or you don't have been also gonna be learned and done. But the midfield makes it all happen if somebody goes out we're having trouble coming out of the back a lot of times you can look at the midfield and find that they're in disarray. Or if you're not getting shots on goal, it's because the midfield again is not getting the ball in place as they should. So there's a lot of responsibility there. It's fun to watch, in again, make a personal my daughter mainly plays defense, but now they've moved into midfield and then actually striker, but by being the defender, she understood exactly what she needed out of a midfielder, right, she knew exactly where she needed to be and when she needed to be there. And then now being a striker. She's learning you know, where I actually need to be to get the ball and stuff. So it was interesting. It's, it's, it's unfortunate, she got hurt. But, you know, hopefully she'll continue afterwards. But you see, you see that midfield? As really the key to most people or most games and their performance, if the midfield plays well together if they understand what they're supposed to be if they can transition both ways. offense and defensively, a lot of good things can happen. And if they don't, it's it's it's ugly.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, exactly. Okay.
Unknown Speaker :Now, we're gonna keep going. We got to keep going. Number two, number two, and this is really three parts. Um, favorite coach, best coach, whatever you want to call it.
Unknown Speaker :Wow. Wow. I gotta say, Anson, Dorrance. And funny because he recruited me to go to USC, and I absolutely hated him. I just thought kind of what an arrogant guy, no way, I do not want to go there. And then, of course, how it works, that guy came and coached our national team. And I, you know, fell in love with him. He, I loved it. He He, he, he made it so challenging. It was so challenging, and he made you choose? How do I how hard Am I going to work to do this? Am I you know, like you had to decide. And so I love that. Because then once you make that decision every day, you're all in and he he's great at finding the thing that motivates you, and also bringing you into the vision of the team, but how the kind of player you can be in contributing to the team's success. And that to me was really career changing.
Unknown Speaker :Amazing, amazing coach who, who may be one of the most amazing coaches of all US sports. And again, it's it's too small of a secret.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, toughest competitor?
Unknown Speaker :Yeah. Oh my gosh, well, my teammates. Okay. Yeah. How many times did they beat the shit out of me in practice, and if I could survive them and then succeed and practice against them? I knew nobody else could touch me. So, absolutely, that that there were some a couple of Norwegians in there that were very tough. But can you know, I just, it's my teammates. You know, one of those players, Laurie Henry. She's, she was number five for the USA back back in the day. A center like stopper. She played at UNC. She's from Seattle area, so I grew up playing against her. I hated playing against her. She just was so damn tough. She was so tough. Like again, she made you decide how bad do you want to win? Or am I going to be a baby and and try to avoid her? You know? So Pat, she is amazing. Now she's a principal in the Seattle area of all things. So yeah, that's my answer. My definitely my team. My teammates,
Unknown Speaker :best player you enjoyed watching other than Michelle Akers
Unknown Speaker :since everybody else was answered, Yes. Michelle Akers.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah, well, like I said, Christine, Lilly number 13. She was my i just i she was so inspiring to me and what a great player, my favorite player, but nowadays,
Unknown Speaker :gosh,
Unknown Speaker :there's a bunch of new players and
Unknown Speaker :a bunch of players on the US team that there's probably five of them. I see I not only like love the player, but I love how they interact with their team. So um
Unknown Speaker :That to me is super inspiring.
Unknown Speaker :So anyway, there's a there's A few there's a few.
Unknown Speaker :That's fine. I'm okay to left. Uh, any good stories that most people would not know that you're willing to share?
Unknown Speaker :Yeah. Well, here's, here's a funny one. This is stuff that happens to me all the time that you mentioned that one of the one of the things on my bio was being named FIFA 100. From Pele, on that FIFA 100 list, which Mia was of course, mean to so they came to my house in Florida to do this photo shoot and I, I had my horses there was after I retired, and I think it was after I retired. And, and so they said, Hey, can we take a picture of you on your horse? So I got stormy. She's an appendix off the track. I rescued at her. And so I'm bareback on her sitting on her and the guy takes the picture and it has a flash and she bucked me off right in front of that camera, and I fell down and she ran away. On my five acre property. I had to go get her that was like super embarrassing. I was like, Oh my god, they're gonna use the picture of me getting bucked off. That will be horrible. But they did and thank God. So if anyone had there was a book they produced if anyone has that book, and you see a picture of me sitting on my horse, I was blocked off like, second
Unknown Speaker :seconds later. Yes. Yeah, I've been bucked off. I can still see the look of my dad's face of disgust like what is wrong with you? In the same thing, go get it now. Yes, yes. Go get it. Um, all right. Anything we should have asked you that we didn't.
Unknown Speaker :Oh, gosh, no, I never volunteered. Awesome.
Unknown Speaker :No, but thank you so much. Great, great interview and great touch to talk to you.
Unknown Speaker :Yeah. Now this was, this was a lot of fun. Thank you. Michelle Akers, everyone, go to Michelle akers.org and get involved and help her save some some wonderful, beautiful animals. You have brought a really bright light to our day and made us better people, better soccer people and for our listeners. Please keep listening and share with your groups and friends. Don't let anybody miss this episode. It's incredible. And also check us out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And we're going to continue taking you Inside soccer with some wonderful guests like we did today. Michelle, thank you so much. And we'll speak soon.