Heather Mitts "Veteran Defender"

Heather Mitts "Olympic Champion"

Heather Mitts has been working with Universal Soccer Academy for 6 years. Heather a veteran defender known for her speed and tenacious character when on the field has worked tirelessly to assure she is improving in all areas of her game. Over the last 3 years Heather has gone through a lot and overcome all obstacles. After we built a solid base of new skills for Heather, she ripped her ACL and missed the 2007 World Cup. Not knowing if she would ever be selected again Heather came back from her injury and focused daily on her rehab and her touches. As Heather progressed she was able to intensify her training thus helping her back at WNT training. Working out at Universal Soccer Academy twice a day Heather showed true commitment to her game and was rewarded with a starting spot on the Olympic team. Heather went on to play a major part in the USA’s golden performance at the Olympics. Her stellar performances made it hard for any opposing player to get behind her and her skill out of the back was world class. Heather continues to train at Universal Soccer Academy in preparation for 20011 World Cup.

You have been working closely with James Galanis of Universal Soccer Academy for 4 years now. Please explain how he has impacted your career?

From the minute I started training with James, he improved my game. I’ve always relied on my athleticism but he improved my technical side of the game. I credit my comeback after my ACL to James. I couldn’t have done it without him. I missed the World Cup and 8 months. He trained me twice a day and worked on my ball work and fitness to get me back out there to compete. I didn’t skip a beat, thanks to James. I was able to be a starter on the Olympic Gold Medal team. He is the master.

Please talk a little about the training program you are going through at the Academy. What was the focus of your training when you first started and what is the focus now?

At first, it was to become more technical. I just wanted to be a solid defender who could attack and possess. Now it’s about becoming an attacking personality down the flank. Working on my service and mixing up my game.

We hear that you have spent a lot of time playing soccer Volley Ball at the Blue Barn and that you are the only person to have beaten your trainer James Galanis? Is this true?

Haha. You should have seen me when I first started. I was awful. I played tennis growing up so I used it to my advantage while working the angles that day. Think James underestimated me that one time and I had the game of my life. It wouldn’t happen again!

You are a seasoned veteran with over 100 caps for the USA Women’s National Team. If you could go back and do it all over again what would you do different?

I would have started training with James from a young age. When you are young is when you learn the technique that stays with you. Plus he knows the game inside and out. He has improved my game so much in 4 years. I can only imagine what he could have done with me with more time! Carli is a lucky girl and its all paying off and will continue to.

In the Olympic Final against Brazil you were given the hard task of marking Marta. At the end of the day Brazil did not score and Marta failed to get a rhythm or impact the game. What tactic did you and your defense use to shut her down?

Marta is one of the best in the world no doubt. The goal is always to keep her back to goal and not let her face up and go at us. She has amazing speed so just trying to defend in numbers and always have cover. After awhile she gets frustrated and starts dropping into the midfield to get the ball. We would much rather have her dropping in that part of the field then where she is more dangerous up top. It was definitely a full team effort. Then we just left the rest up to Carli.

With 2 Olympic Gold Medals in your cabinet, is the World Cup 2011 your next Medal? That’s the goal right now.

I have yet to play in a World Cup so playing and winning would be the ultimate way to retire.

You are back in Philadelphia with the Independence. How has your season been thus far and what goals to you have set for this year?

I’m excited to be playing in philly again and to be back on the right. Last season was very frustrating. Our team didn’t make the play-offs and I was playing a new position. I hope that this year is different. My goal is to help my team win the WPS. Personally I’d like to continue improving my attacking down the flanks, get at least 5 assists and make the All-Star team.

How much longer do you plan to play?

If we win the World Cup, I would consider ending my international career. Otherwise I’d have to go for one more gold in London.

Have you thought about retirement? Or are you still improving and have a lot left to give to the game?

I love playing and have so much further I’d like to go but I definitely want to go out on top.

What words of wisdom can you give to any upcoming youngster?

Never take no for an answer. I’ve pretty much made my career out of overcoming adversity. From the time I was little and playing ODP. Coaches that cut me or told me I wasn’t good at something to broken bones and an acl. I took all those set backs as motivation. When you tell me I can’t do something, I will make sure I do everything in my power to show you I can or atleast do my best trying. For the first 3 years of my National Team career, I only made 1 roster a year. Every other time I would get cut. That one time is all it took to give me that motivation that if I worked hard enough, I would make it next time. Look where I am now. So essentially set your goals high but attainable. Do everything possible to get there and love what you do.

Heather to Join Philadelphia

Heather will be joining the Philadelphia Independence of the WPS. After a successful season with the Boston Breakers Heather will be returning to Philadelphia to the city she lives and the city she started her professional career.

Playing and living in Philadelphia will allow Heather to continue working with Universal Soccer Academy and continue to progress her already effective game.

Home Again

Heather has been home working to prepare for her callback into the Women’s National Team (WNT). After completing her first season with Boston Heather came home to the Philadelphia area and was a regular at the Academy with daily sessions both singles and doubles. We designed a program specific for Heather that allowed her to further advance her physical Fitness, Crossing, Passing and First Touch.

US Soccer: 11 Questions With Heather Mitts(Click Here)

Olympic Gold

Heather Mitts is coming home with Gold. Everyone at the Academy is very proud of Heathers accomplishments over the last 3 years since joining Universal. When Heather started training with Universal the goal was to work her first touch and her distribution skills. After building a solid base of improved skills Heather started to become more comfortable with the ball and started to become an effective part of the offense. In a game against Canada in May 2007 Heather tore her ACL and missed the 2007 World Cup.

After a successful operation and countless hours of training Heather forced her way back into the starting eleven and made the Olympic roster. Starting every game at the Olympics, Heather had an outstanding tournament and was by far one of the most consistent performers shutting down every opponent (including Marta). Her probing runs forward always troubled opponents and her aggressive defense helped the USA to gold. Heather we are all very proud of you. Your performances were world class and you have now become one of the best defenders in the Women’s game. Congratulations Heather.

July 23 After an exceptional game against Brazil, Heather is going into the Olympics loaded with confidence. We wish her all the best and are very proud of the character Heather displayed to overcome her injury and force her way int the team again. Heather’s presence in the ackline brings speed and experience to solid USA backline.

July 5th Heather Mitts is finally in full motion with the WNT. After a serious of injuries Heather has done nothing but work hard since her ACL injury. As a result Heather has been selected to represent the USA WNT in the upcoming Olympics in Beijing.

Heather just completed her mini tour of Norway and Sweden clocking up two solid performances in the USA backline. Heather displayed once again why she is so valuable to the team as she and her teammates did not allow any goals against in the two games.

April 26 Heather Mitts is back! Heather started the game against Australia and played 53 minutes of quality soccer. Heather kept it simple and had a solid game in the USA backline. Heather is on her way to regaining match fitness as she seeks to cement a spot in the upcoming Olympic roster. “I didn’t know what to expect from my first game back in a year. I felt pretty good about my performance. My preparation before heading to camp helped me get to this point. After that it was up to me”. said Heather.

Aprli 10 Heather has returned to training with Universal and thus far has been outstanding in all her skill work. Heather will continue to focus on her foot skills, receiving and passing this week before going on to working her long range passes and defensive technical training next week. Universal is very proud of Heather as she has worked so hard to regain full fitness and just missed out on the current roster due to her niggling injury. She has not given up and is working harder then ever to be ready for next camp. Great stuff Heather.

April 5th Heather returns to Universal this week. After a successful rehabilitation with the National Team Medical Staff, Heather comes back to the Academy with a mission to fine tune her skills and work on her entire game. Heather is close to full fitness and she is expected to make the next WNT roster if injury free. Heather will be training Monday through Friday this week at 3:30 PM.

Mar 23 Heather is back in Training with the WNT. After spending the last 11 days in Physical Therapy, Heather seems to be getting closer to a pain free knee and will try to force her way into the Olympic Qualifying Team.

Mar 11 Heather sent us a report on her progress. Unfortunately at this time her knee is not cooperating with the work load of coming back and trying to train and play at the highest level. Heather will be fine but she will be returning to California to continue with Physical therapy and try to make the World Cup qualifier squad.

Feb 16 Heather is set to be selected in the Squad that leaves for Portugal next month. This is a huge achievment for Heather as making the touring team was her ultimate goal. The hard work she put in after her surgery has come back to help her. Heather will be back training at Universal after the Algarve Cup. To watch a clip of Heather talking about her comeback(click on the Studio 90 on the right hand side of www.ussoccer.com).

Feb 08 Heather Mitts is currently in WNT camp and doing well. She worked her way through a challenging week. Heather aims to top off her surprise early comeback with selection into the squad that will travel to Portugal in March.

Jan 08 Heather Mitts began her training cycle today with Universal. In wet conditions Heather pumped a rigourous session full of Physical Power Exercises. In her second session of the day she worked on all her skills with other Universal members. She will be here until January 20th before resuming with the Womens National team. This training cycle will focus on first touch, footskills, distribution and leg power. For more information on Heather check out www.heathermitts.com.