Tony DiCicco

Tony DiCicco was an American soccer goalkeeper and pioneering coach who led the United States women's national soccer team to its greatest early successes. He served as head coach from 1994 to 1999, a period that included winning the inaugural Olympic gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics and the dramatic 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup championship on home soil. Beyond his legendary tenure with the senior national team, DiCicco also guided the U.S. U-20 women's team to a world title and was a foundational figure in professional leagues like Women's Professional Soccer. His leadership, characterized by a player-centric philosophy, helped catapult stars like Mia Hamm, Michelle Akers, and Julie Foudy to global fame and cemented the sport's popularity in the United States.

Early life and playing career

Born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, DiCicco attended Wethersfield High School before playing collegiate soccer at Springfield College. His professional playing career spanned several teams in the old North American Soccer League and the American Soccer League, including stints with the Hartford Bicentennials and the New England Tea Men. As a goalkeeper, he earned one cap for the United States men's national soccer team in a 1973 friendly against Israel. Following his playing days, DiCicco transitioned into coaching, earning a national diploma from the United States Soccer Federation and founding the highly successful SoccerPlus Goalkeeper School, which trained thousands of young players across the country.

Coaching career

DiCicco's national team coaching career began in 1989 as an assistant for the United States women's national soccer team under Anson Dorrance, contributing to the team's victory at the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup. He took over the head coaching role in 1994, succeeding Dorrance. His tenure is defined by historic achievements, including the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and the iconic 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup win at the Rose Bowl, a victory sealed by Brandi Chastain's famous penalty kick. He compiled an impressive 103–8–8 record as head coach. After stepping down in 1999, he later served as head coach for the Boston Breakers in Women's Professional Soccer and, from 2007 to 2011, led the United States women's national under-20 soccer team to a championship at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Chile.

Media work and later life

Following his departure from the national team, DiCicco remained a prominent voice in soccer through extensive media and administrative work. He served as a television analyst for ESPN and Fox Sports during coverage of major tournaments like the FIFA Women's World Cup and the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. DiCicco also held the position of commissioner for Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), the first professional women's soccer league in the United States. He continued his involvement with SoccerPlus and was a frequent speaker and clinician. DiCicco passed away in 2017 at his home in Wethersfield, Connecticut.

Legacy and honors

Tony DiCicco's legacy is that of a transformative figure in women's soccer. He is remembered as the coach who guided the "'99ers," a legendary generation of players that achieved unprecedented mainstream attention for the sport. His .800 winning percentage as United States women's national soccer team coach remains among the highest in history. For his contributions, he was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012. The Tony DiCicco Award was established by US Club Soccer to honor the nation's top youth soccer coach. His developmental philosophy, emphasizing confidence and technical skill, particularly for goalkeepers, influenced coaching standards nationwide through his work with SoccerPlus and the United States Soccer Federation.

Category:American soccer coaches Category:United States men's international soccer players Category:National Soccer Hall of Fame inductees