Tiffeny
Milbrett: Soccer Star
Tiffeny
Milbrett’s only problem is that she’s not Mia Hamm. Ironic, as
the two U.S. National soccer team stars happen to be fast friends
on and off the pitch.
“I
could have never become as good as I have without Mia,” the good-natured
Milbrett said. “There would be no women’s World Cup, no U.S. woman’s
soccer league without her. She’s meant everything to me in the
way of opportunities and development.”
Still, the aggressive, fast-dribbling, mercurially dynamic Milbrett
is clearly the New Wave in Women’s Soccer—it’s just that the game’s
gray officialdom has decided to stay solidly in the past. Thus,
due to Hamm’s long-standing almost-mythical reputation, Milbrett’s
“Top Women’s Soccer Player in the World“ title remains unofficial.
This irks fans who’ve watched the 28 year old Milbrett simply
destroy opponents in WUSA games this season to the tune of 16
goals and three assists. Milbrett, with her Midas scoring touch,
has actually done an excellent impersonation of the great Hamm
in her hey-day, which was a couple of years back in the mid-to-late
1990s.
Combining sizzling speed, great vision, and outstanding technical
ability, Milbrett pretty much single-handedly carried the New
York Power into the WUSA playoffs this season. She scored more
goals than all the rest of her teammates put together — an unprecedented
achievement at this, the game’s highest level. In the process,
Milbrett has also become the fourth highest scorer in U. S. soccer
history and only the ninth woman to ever make 100 appearances
for the National Team.
“It
was a good year,” said the unassuming Milbrett. “I’m very happy
with what we’ve been able to do as a team. That other, ‘best player
in the world’, stuff is not important. It’s something for the
media to argue about.”
Still, insiders of the game couldn’t help but notice the injustice.
“It’s a disgrace Milbrett was not selected FIFA Player of the
Year,” a source close to the U.S. National Team said. “She was
our engine this season, for sure. What more does she have to do?
I was shocked at the foolishness of Hamm’s selection.”
The coach-able forward – “Tiff is the fastest learner on the team,”
U.S. coach April Heinrichs said – remains serenely above the fray.
“I play for my own satisfaction – the only recognition I crave
is from my teammates,” said Milbrett. “But in a way I welcome
the controversy. I’m glad people are talking about us. We are
still a new professional sport in this country working our way
toward a wider recognition. Women’s soccer can use all the publicity
it
can get.” #
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