The U.S. team had a special guest at training today in Linda Gancitano. Don't know her? You're excused, but she was one of 12 women who played in the first-ever U.S. Women's National Team match on Aug. 18, 1985 in Jesolo, Italy. The defender came off the bench that day against Italy, making her the first-ever substitute in U.S. history. She got her one career start against Denmark in the final match of that four-game tour and her two career caps make her one of the 281 women to have played for the full U.S. Women's National Team. She lives in Florida, but was visiting friends in Denver and made contact with U.S. Soccer, so we invited her to training. She's coming to the game tomorrow too. Surely, she'll be thinking "We've come a long way, baby." Check back soon on ussoccer.com's all_access video for a short piece as we take Linda back, WAY back...to the first-ever WNT game. Above, Linda takes a pic with two WNT greats. Below, the first-ever U.S. team.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
True Pioneer
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2 comments:
There's no missing Akers in that photo :) BTW, ussoccer.com fails to mention that the US WNT started in 1985 (http://www.ussoccer.com/history/timeline.jsp.html).
This is Linda here and I just wanted to say how honored I was yesterday when I attended the practice in Denver. These athletes are increrdible role models for the future players of the world. The athletes were incredibly patient with all the autographs they signed today after playing 90 minutes in the hot sun.I am really proud of being a female soccer player who once played for the USA........these ladies will bring back the gold again:)OOOSSSAAA!
Oh and by the way ,I was the 3rd person on the bottom from the right...those were the blonde days........things change:)
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