Michelle Akers joins Orlando Pride coaching staff

Orlando Pride, the NWSL team, announced Michelle Akers as the new assistant coach of the club. The former player of the U.S. National team Michelle Akers is remembered as one of the greatest players that have worn the American jersey. Akers won two World Cups, one in 1991 and the other in 1999. With her new assignment, a true legend of the USWNT believes that she has something to offer young up-and-coming players. 

Michelle Akers is solidly in the discussion for the biggest players in USWNT history, and it wasn't just due to her natural athletic prowess and technical skills alone; her implacable work ethic and relentless mentality become her most influential weapons. She learned, as a USWNT player, how to be a winner.

Michelle Akers after her retirement did not continue in the world of soccer

After retiring from soccer, he surprisingly put aside everything related to soccer and dedicated himself to the care of animals, especially horses. He was even preparing in recent months to move from Georgia to Oregon to continue his horse-related work. 

However, she got an unexpected call in early December from a former U.S. Women's National Team teammate of hers, Amanda Cromwell, who recently arrived to coach Orlando City.

Cromwell asked her if she wanted to lead the team with her and after a few days, she answered yes, although a bit hastily because she had other plans.

One phone call was all it took

"I couldn't say no. It was too fun, too good to turn down, We canceled all our plans and came down here" Akers told ESPN in an interview.

"I love working with players individually or in small groups and helping them develop on and off the field. I had to do that as a player on my own. All of the old national team players, we didn't have a lot of support, we didn't have a schedule. If you wanted to evolve as a player, you had to figure it out on your own. That's one of the reasons I got so good and continued to develop: I figured out how to train myself." Akers added.

The Pride in Orlando will become the first NWSL team to have two former USWNT key players on its coaching staff. Cromwell has 55 caps for the United States and competed in the 1995 World Cup. Akers has 153 caps and ranks sixth on the USWNT's all-time scoring list with 105 goals.