Michelle Akers joins Orlando Pride coaching staff

Michelle Akers had just sold her farm in Georgia, had flights purchased and booked, and was ready to transport her herd of horses to begin a cross-country move to Bend, Oregon. But two weeks before all that was expected to materialize, Akers received an unexpected call.

Amanda Cromwell, who was in the final stages of becoming the Orlando Pride’s new head coach, asked the U.S. soccer legend to join her coaching staff for the upcoming 2022 NWSL season.

“Amanda called me and she was like, ‘Hey, what are you doing? Come coach with me.’ So I was like, ‘Wait a minute; we’re going to Oregon.’ But then we started talking and I was like, ‘How could I refuse?’ We had talked for years about this,” Akers told the Orlando Sentinel earlier this week.

“We’re friends from the UCF days and national-team days and [always] kept in touch,” Akers added. “So we always talked about one day coaching together. So I said, ‘If you ever get the chance or the budget, wouldn’t it be so fun?’ So she called me and I said, ‘Yes, great opportunity.’ So we canceled our plans and now we’re in Orlando.”

Cromwell took the job as the head coach of the Orlando Pride on Dec. 7 and Akers officially joined Cromwell’s coaching staff on Wednesday, joining fellow assistants Sam Green and Seb Hines as part of the Pride’s technical staff.

Cromwell said she always felt coaching would suit Akers, but not at the collegiate level. Once the opportunity at Orlando opened up, Cromwell immediately thought this move would be a great fit for Akers.

“The pro route is catered to someone like Michelle like she can be a mentor,” said Cromwell. “She can talk about being the best in the world because she was the best in the world — and in multiple positions — and help develop not only skill development on the field but just mentality and what they bring to the table and as athletes and teammates.”

Akers has long been familiar with the Central Florida soccer scene and still is.

In 1984, Akers moved to Orlando to play for the UCF women’s soccer team and remained with the Knights until 1989. Her career with the U.S. national team eventually brought two World Cup titles in 1991 and 1999 and an Olympic gold medal in 1996.

Her son Cody was also born in Orlando.

Akers also revealed she recruited Cromwell to UCF in 1999, but Akers herself never got into head coaching after retiring from the game.

Joining the Pride as a player development coach allows Akers to not only mentor the squad’s younger player but also share some of her experience as well.

” I have, as far as I’m concerned, the best role I could ever get, and Amanda’s set me up to pursue my strengths,” said Akers. “I’m just here to support these players, and on the inside, I might be able to offer the experiences I’ve had playing for the U.S. all those years, and injuries and evolving as a player, changing positions.”

When asked if there’s a particular player Akers is looking forward to working with, she didn’t hesitate to mention Brazilian star Marta.

“I’m really intrigued with Marta. I just can’t wait to meet her and watch her play and kind of see what makes her tick,” said Akers. “I have a lot of respect for her, so I think she’s gonna be really fun to work with.”