June 25, 2000

HERSHEY, Pa. -- For nearly two decades, the most identifiable player in women's soccer has been Michelle Akers. Tall, rangy, powerful, she seemed to tower over the other players - and the game itself.

Akers isn't around now, sidelined after shoulder surgery. She hopes to be back with the U.S. national team next month, but it's uncertain whether Akers will be ready for the Sydney Olympics.

In her stead at center midfield is Lorrie Fair, and the contrasts are very recognizable. Fair, the youngest American on the 1999 World Cup champions, is 22, Akers is 34. Fair is 5-foot-3, Akers is 5-10. Fair is lightning quick, with short strides, Akers is lumbering, with huge strides.

But Akers has been the soul of this team through two world titles and an Olympic gold medal. The American team misses her leadership, her competitiveness, her fire.

Fair, the only member of the '99 team to return to college, where she won another NCAA title at North Carolina, recognizes all of this.

"Michelle has been a great player for a long time," Fair said after scoring twice in just one half of action Friday night as the United States beat Trinidad & Tobago 11-0 in the Gold Cup. "But I don't look at it as Michelle's position I'm trying to take.

"We are trying to form a new team and it doesn't matter what has happened in the past. We live in the now."

When April Heinrichs, a former teammate of Akers on the national team, became coach this year, she emphasized that every job was open. With Akers unable to play, Heinrichs went to Fair with a simple message.

"I've known Lorrie for five years and always have had respect of her love and passion for touching the ball," Heinrichs said. "When I first took over the job, I said you are 21, it's time to step up. What position do you want to narrow down?"

Fair spent most of her career with the national team on defense. Heinrichs had something else in mind.

"We narrowed it down to center midfield and she has been terrific ever since," Heinrichs said.

So terrific that she seems certain to make the Olympic team. And so terrific that even if Akers is available, Fair has an excellent chance of starting.

Of course, Fair knows she must play a different style than Akers. And Heinrichs knows the player most feared by the Chinese and Norwegians, America's top two rivals, is Akers.

But the way Fair is playing, it will be difficult to keep her off the field.

"I love playing there, it's always been my favorite position," Fair said. "I'm so glad April gave me the chance there. There are no restrictions - within reason. You are free to go everywhere."

Heinrichs likes best the versatility Fair offers in the attack. And she's been impressed with how Fair fights in the air, despite her lack of size.

"She is so skillful and she changes the point of play so well," Heinrichs said. "She solves pressure well, which is very important in the center of the field. On defense, she is always battling hard and winning headers, even at her height. She steps out of midfield to pressure the ball better than anyone else."

In the world? Heinrichs simply smiled.

Fair does a lot of smiling, too. She's effervescent, on and off the field, and has fit in well with the veteran core of the team. Perhaps most impressive, she has grasped the opportunity afforded her, something the Mia Hamms and Kristine Lillys can't help but respect.

"When we played in Portugal (in the prestigious Algarve Cup), April told me she would give me lots of minutes in the position," Fair said. "I was nervous, but it was an opportunity to seize the day, and that's what I've tried to do."

© Copyright 2000 The Associated Press