Heather Mitts makes World Cup roster

Former St. Ursula soccer star finally gets her chance
7:38 PM, May. 9, 2011 - cincinnati.com

CINCINNATI -- Former St. Ursula soccer star Heather Mitts has waited more than eight years to play in a FIFA Women’s World Cup. She finally gets her chance this summer. The veteran defender was named to the U.S. World Cup team on Monday by head coach Pia Sundhage.

Mitts, who turns 33 next month, was in line for a selection in 2003, but broke her leg three months before the tournament. In 2007, four months before the tournament, she tore the ACL in her left knee, then battled back to play on the gold-medal winning U.S. team a year later in Beijing.

"I couldn't be happier, especially after all the hard work that has gone into reaching this goal," Mitts said in a text message. "(I'm) hoping to go out on top and looking forward to my first World Cup!"

This time, Mitts, a two-time gold medalist who plays for the Atlanta Beat of Women’s Professional Soccer, had to overcome a hamstring injury that has limited her to one match this season. But she returned for a three-week training camp that concluded last Friday.

Other veterans on the team include goalkeeper Hope Solo, forward Abby Wambach, a standout on the past two World Cup teams, and defender Christie Rampone, captain of the U.S. team in Beijing. At 35, Rampone is the oldest player on the roster and the last holdover from the last World Cup champion team in 1999.

The U.S. team will play Japan in a friendly Saturday night at Columbus Crew Stadium.

The Women’s World Cup is June 26-July 17 in Germany. The U.S. team plays its first match June 28 in Dresden.