Mr. Tony DiCicco

An integral figure that put women's soccer on the map in the U.S. and globally, Tony DiCicco built an impressive run as the U.S. Women's National Team head coach from 1994-1999. He led the USA to its first gold medal in the 1996 Olympics and most notably was at the helm of the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup champion team that defeated China.

As the U.S. Women's head coach, DiCicco won a staggering 103 games - nearly 90 percent of his matches - in compiling a 103-8-8 international record. DiCicco is the only American coach to win a Women's World Cup, an Olympic gold, and a U-20 Women's World Cup (2008).

DiCicco's 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup team increased the popularity and prominence of women's athletics as more than 90,000 people were on hand at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., to witness the thrilling victory against China. Nearly 18 million people viewed the match on television - the most-watched women's soccer match in U.S. history.

He was the founding commissioner of the Women's United Soccer Association from 2000-2003, then coached the Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer from 2009-2011. Tony also founded SoccerPlus Goalkeeper School and FieldPlayer Academy in 1982. In the 30+ years since, Tony has educated and inspired tens of thousands of dedicated student-athletes using The DiCicco Method. 

As a player, DiCicco was Captain and MVP at Springfield College and he played professionally for five years, in the American Soccer League and for the USA National Team in 1973.

Partnered with former teammates Tisha Venturini (Hoch) and Mia Hamm and started TeamFirst Soccer Academy- teaching soccer and sharing their passion with kids all over the country since 2010.