Akers May Hit Century Mark in Series Against Iceland

Michelle Akers, the all-time scoring leader for the U.S. women’s national soccer team, has the chance this weekend to become the first player in history to score 100 goals for her country when the United States plays two games against Iceland.

Coach Tony DiCicco’s U.S. team plays the Icelanders tonight in Indianapolis and again Sunday in Bethlehem, Pa.

Akers, who led the U.S. to the world championship in 1991 and the Olympic gold medal in 1996, has scored 96 goals in 117 games for the U.S. since her national team debut in 1985.

The matches against Iceland are part of the American team’s preparation for the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Championship in the United States next June and July.

Next week, the team leaves for a three-game trip to Japan, where it will play the host nation on May 17 in Tokyo, May 21 in Kobe and May 24 in Yokohama.

The American women return to the United States for a May 30 match against New Zealand at RFK Stadium. That game will be part of a doubleheader that also features the U.S. men’s team playing fellow World Cup ’98 competitor Scotland.