With Team in Place, Heinrichs Thinks Gold

Pardon April Heinrichs for getting carried away.

After all, it isn’t every coach who can name as experienced and formidable a roster for the 2000 Summer Olympics as Heinrichs did Thursday.

The 18 players she selected for the U.S. women’s Olympic soccer team include:

* 15 of the 20 players who won the FIFA Women’s World Cup last summer, including all 11 starters from the championship-game victory over China at the Rose Bowl.

* 11 of the players who won the gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, including 10 of the 11 starters from the championship-game victory over China.

* One player, Kristine Lilly, who has played more international games--204--than any player in history, male or female.

* Another player, Mia Hamm, who has scored more international goals--122--than any player in history, male or female.

* A staggering 10 players who each have played more than 100 games for their country.

* Seven players who each have won two world championships and an Olympic gold medal.

“I am incredibly thrilled to say that we have found the best 18 players to help us compete for an Olympic gold medal,” Heinrichs said. “This country will be proud of their effort, their style, their passion and their ability to lead.”

In all, 42 players were given a close look before Heinrichs, a Women’s World Cup winner as a player in 1991 and a gold medalist as an assistant coach alongside Tony DiCicco in 1996, settled on her final 18, plus four alternates.

There are no real surprises on the roster, although the inclusion of veterans Michelle Akers, 34, and Carla Overbeck, 32, was considered problematic given their health and injury concerns.

“Having Michelle and having Carla on this team was a decision I made two or three months ago,” Heinrichs said.

“Carla because, while her knee might be about 70 or 80 percent right now, her will, her power, her presence amongst these players, her leadership, she’s the glue. . . .

“We all know that Michelle is a world-class player. We all know that a year ago Michelle helped this country win one of its most impressive trophies ever. I think one year away from that she still is a world-class player, but she struggles with her [injured] shoulder. . . . Michelle always overcomes adversity and I think she will again.”

The team also features three newcomers.

One is goalkeeper Siri Mullinix, 22, of the University of North Carolina. She has taken over from Briana Scurry as the U.S. starter. The other two are from Santa Clara University: defender Danielle Slaton, 20, the youngest player on the team, and talented midfielder Nikki Serlenga, 22, of San Diego.

The U.S. team plays Russia on Sunday at Annapolis, Md., in the first of three tuneups before leaving for the Olympics.

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Sydney-Bound

U.S. women’s 2000 Olympic soccer team with position and games played:

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No. Name Pos. Games 1 Briana Scurry * G 100 2 Lorrie Fair M 73 3 Christie Pearce D 76 4 Carla Overbeck * D 162 5 Nikki Serlenga M 19 6 Brandi Chastain * D 129 7 Sara Whalen M 61 8 Shannon MacMillan * M 112 9 Mia Hamm * F 204 10 Michelle Akers * M 150 11 Julie Foudy * M 187 12 Cindy Parlow * F 87 13 Kristine Lilly * M 213 14 Joy Fawcett * D 174 15 Kate Sobrero D 51 16 Tiffeny Milbrett * F 152 17 Danielle Slaton D 21 18 Siri Mullinix G 19

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*

ALTERNATES

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No. Name Pos. Games Jennifer Branam G 5 Michelle French D 9 Nandi Pryce D 8 Christie Welsh F 15

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* 1996 gold medalist; G--goalkeeper; D--defender; M--midfielder; F--forward.