Ducar is looking for her chance
Wednesday, February 16, 2000
By Tim Bresnahan
The last time April Heinrichs spoke to her, Tracy Noonan Ducar was too stunned to respond. Now, she's ready to talk -- and looking for answers.
Heinrichs, the new U.S. Women's National Team head coach, called Ducar last month to tell her that she wasn't invited to the Americans' training camp. Ducar, a North Andover native and member of the 1999 World Cup team, wasn't selected for next month's camp either.
With the Sydney Olympics only seven months away, Ducar is out of the loop, and she wants to know why.
"I have a call in to April to try and see what I need to do to get back in, and ask why I'm not in camp," said Ducar from her home in Raleigh, N.C. "The first time she called, I was caught off guard and didn't have that many questions. All of a sudden I'm not in favor with the coach. I find it surprising and a little bit frustrating. I got dropped without being allowed to compete."
For the most recent camp, which concluded with two losses to Norway last week, Heinrichs chose four goalkeepers: World Cup veterans Briana Scurry and Saskia Webber, and two 21-year-olds, Siri Mullinix of the University of North Carolina and Lakeysia Beene of Notre Dame.
Only two keeper spots are available for the Olympic team (there were three spots for the World Cup), making Ducar's outsider status more frustrating.
"I know my training habits are very good and I know I can compete well with those keepers in camp," said Ducar. "And I think I deserve to be looked at, considered and given a fair shot. To be dropped without having a chance to compete is not fair to a player who's been on the team four years and is a World Cup player.
"It's important for me to work myself back into camp. My playing will do the talking."
While she waits for a call from Heinrichs, Ducar is working out ("I'm trying to take my frustration out on the weight room," she said) at home, practicing with her alma mater at UNC and coaching youngsters with her husband, Chris. She admits that it's nice to be home (she and Chris never had a honeymoon because of her playing schedule), but, all things considered, she'd rather be with the Nationals.
"I'm not ready to give up yet," she said. "I can control my effort and attitude right now, that's all I can do."
Pro league in sight
Even if her Olympic prospects fizzle out, Ducar still has a reason to train hard.
A group of investors, led by Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks, announced yesterday its plans to start a Division 1 women's pro league, with play beginning in April 2001.
Ducar believes such a league can work in this country, despite America's traditional antipathy for soccer and the troubles Major League Soccer (which also has been working on plans for a women's league) has had in establishing mainstream popularity.
"I think that a lot of sponsors and big businesses are looking to support a women's sport, and we're going to attract a slightly different crowd than MLS," she said, noting that a women's league would cater more to families. "I think the country is ready."
As a keeper whose primary source of competition is the national team -- where only one woman can play at a time -- Ducar would benefit immensely from the opportunity to play regularly in a pro league.
And, by the way, she said she'd enjoy playing in the Boston area if it received a franchise.