Tony DiCicco

Anthony D. DiCicco Jr. (August 5, 1948 – June 19, 2017) was an American soccer player, coach, administrator, and TV commentator. He is best known as the coach of the United States women's national soccer team from 1994 to 1999, during which time the team won an Olympic gold medal in 1996 and the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup. He was also the coach of the U.S. team that won the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

Early life Born in Hartford, Connecticut,

In 1970, DiCicco graduated from Springfield College in Massachusetts, where he was an All-American goalkeeper his senior year. He played with the Connecticut Wildcats and Rhode Island Oceaneers of the American Soccer League for five years, and made a single appearance for the United States men's national soccer team in 1973. During this time, he also taught Physical Education at Bellows Falls Middle School in Bellows Falls, Vt. for at least the 1972–1976 school years. He also coached the boys 7/8 grade soccer team. He took over as head coach of the women's team in 1994, and compiled a record of 105–8–8, culminating with the team's dramatic win over China in the 1999 World Cup final.

In 2008, DiCicco coached the U.S. U-20 Women's national team to victory in the FIFA Women's U-20 World Cup in Chile.

Club DiCicco served as head coach of the Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer from 2009 to 2011.

Sports administration DiCicco was the founding commissioner of the Women's United Soccer Association from 2000 to 2003. DiCicco has also served on a Technical Advisory board for U.S. Soccer.

Broadcasting DiCicco worked as a commentator and analyst for ESPN's and Fox Sports' broadcasts of women's soccer, including the main broadcast booth for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Writing DiCicco was co-author of "Catch Them Being Good: Everything You Need to Know to Successfully Coach Girls" with Colleen Hacker and Charles Salzberg.

Personal life DiCicco and his wife, Diane, have four sons: Anthony, Andrew, Alex, and Nicholas. He was 68 years old.

International

Coach Women's Olympics Soccer: 1996 FIFA Women's World Cup: 1999 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup: 2008