April Heinrichs – 2004

Remember that famous 1996 gold medal won by the U.S. women? The dynasty we all watched with pride is one that started with this woman and her teammates. Before Brandi Chastain and Mia Hamm there were groundbreaking players like April Heinrichs, playing to crowds of dozens and maybe hundreds, not thousands.

But that’s all right with her, since 1991, as a coach, she’s been reaping victories on the stage she set as a player. In 5 years as head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team, she led her squads to a silver medal in the 2000 Olympics, 3rd place in the 2003 World Cup and gold in the 2004 Athens Olympics.