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| Tony DiCicco | |
|---|---|
| Name | Tony DiCicco |
| Birth date | 6 August 1948 |
| Birth place | Woonsocket, Rhode Island |
| Death date | 19 June 2017 |
| Death place | Avon, Connecticut |
| Nationality | United States |
| Occupation | soccer coach, player, broadcaster |
| Known for | Head coach of United States women's national soccer team |
Tony DiCicco Tony DiCicco was an American soccer player and coach noted for leading the United States women's national soccer team to the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup title and the gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. He served as a goalkeeper, club coach, national coach, technical director, and broadcaster, influencing generations across MLS, the NWSL predecessor organizations, and youth development programs. DiCicco worked with a wide array of figures and institutions including United States Soccer Federation, CONCACAF, FIFA, and collegiate programs at University of Connecticut and University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, DiCicco attended University of Rhode Island where he played soccer and developed as a goalkeeper alongside contemporaries who later joined clubs in North American Soccer League and American Soccer League. After college he played semi-professionally for teams in New England, competing against players from D.C. United-era academies, former NASL professionals, and regional rivals who later coached at Yale University and Boston College. His playing days included stints with local clubs, participation in regional tournaments affiliated with United States Soccer Federation programs, and training under coaches connected to U.S. Olympic Committee pathways and Olympic qualifiers.
DiCicco transitioned into coaching through youth programs linked to U.S. Youth Soccer, earning coaching education from United States Soccer Federation courses and working with staff from U.S. Olympic Training Center, U.S. Under-20 setups, and collegiate programs like University of Hartford and Southern Connecticut State University. He served as goalkeeper coach and assistant for several teams, collaborating with coaches from North Carolina Tar Heels, Santa Clara Broncos, and Portland Pilots, and apprenticed under figures associated with CONCACAF tournaments, FIFA World Cup cycles, and Pan American Games delegations. His coaching philosophy integrated methods from international coaches connected to England national football team training, Brazil national football team technical work, and Germany national football team youth systems.
As head coach of the United States women's national soccer team from 1994 to 1999, DiCicco led squads featuring stars such as Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy, and Carin Jennings-Gabarra to victory at the inaugural women's Olympic soccer tournament in 1996 at Georgia Dome and the dramatic 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup final at Rose Bowl against China women's national football team. His management encompassed player selection, tactical planning against opponents like Norway women's national football team, Germany women's national football team, and Brazil women's national football team, and coordination with staff from United States Soccer Federation and CONCACAF qualifiers. The 1999 triumph amplified visibility for competitions such as Women's United Soccer Association planning, influenced television deals with networks like ABC (American Broadcasting Company), and affected sponsorship negotiations involving Nike, Adidas, and Coca-Cola.
Beyond the national team, DiCicco coached professional and club sides, serving as general manager and technical director roles with organizations that interfaced with Women's United Soccer Association, Boston Breakers, and developmental clubs tied to Major League Soccer academies. He worked with club administrators from FC Gold Pride-era circles, advised franchises in New England Revolution territories, and collaborated with collegiate coaches at programs like University of Connecticut Huskies and University of Massachusetts Minutemen and Minutewomen. DiCicco also contributed to coaching education initiatives involving instructors from UEFA-influenced workshops, CONCACAF coaching congresses, and FIFA technical study groups.
After coaching he became a commentator and analyst for major broadcasters, appearing on networks including ABC (American Broadcasting Company), ESPN, Fox Sports, and cable outlets that covered FIFA Women's World Cup tournaments, CONCACAF championships, and Olympic qualifiers. He provided analysis alongside commentators who voice matches for MLS Cup broadcasts, joined panels with former players from U.S. Women's National Team Hall of Fame, and participated in documentaries featuring clips from the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup final and 1996 Summer Olympics gold-medal match. DiCicco authored coaching resources and appeared at symposiums with speakers from United States Soccer Federation leadership, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation-level sports advocates, and executives from brands such as Nike and ESPNW.
DiCicco received numerous honors including induction into halls associated with United States Soccer Federation and recognition by organizations like CONCACAF and FIFA technical committees, while being celebrated by institutions such as University of Connecticut and regional associations in New England. His legacy is preserved through coaching clinics, books and manuals used by staff in National Women's Soccer League academies, and tributes from prominent figures including Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy, Kristine Lilly, and administrators from United States Soccer Federation. Memorial events and scholarships in his name have been organized by entities connected to U.S. Youth Soccer and collegiate programs like Boston College and Yale University to support goalkeeper development and women's soccer coaching pipelines. Category:1948 births Category:2017 deaths Category:American soccer coaches Category:United States women's national soccer team coaches