Two-time Olympian and current University of Michigan Associate head coach Tracey Fuchs has been named to the U.S. coaching staff for the World Cup, Sept. 27-Oct. 8 in Madrid, Spain.
"We are very fortunate to be able to secure Tracey for a portion of the World Cup," said USA Field Hockey Technical Director of High Performance Terry Walsh noting that the acquisition of Fuchs for the tournament will coincide with the collegiate field hockey season and Fuchs' duties at Michigan. "We are extremely grateful for the contributions from the Michigan staff and coach Nancy Cox in releasing Tracey for the tournament. Tracey also serves as our Junior National Team head coach and having her on the World Cup staff will be a tremendous advantage for us."
Fuchs will join U.S. head coach Lee Bodimeade on the U.S. bench for at least a portion of the tournament. The remainder of the coaching staff has yet to be confirmed but could include World Cup Qualifying Tournament assistant coaches Steve Jennings of American University and Pam Bustin of the University of Louisville for portions of the tournament.
As a player, Fuchs competed in the World Cup four times including a third place showing with the USA in 1994. She retired in 2004 as the USA's all-time leader in international appearances with 268. Fuchs was named USA Field Hockey's National Coach of the Year in 2005 after leading the U.S. Junior National Team to a best-ever seventh place finish at the Junior World Cup
The U.S. team is scheduled to leave for the World Cup on 18 September with a stop in the Netherlands for a pair of matches with the top-seeded Dutch team on 19 and 20 September.
The USA opens World Cup play on 27 September against defending champion Argentina.
