Ducar Prepares For Pro League
June 11, 2000
by Michael Kaylor
Former UNC goalkeeper Tracy Ducar has not minded the net in a match since last fall, and was looking for a challenge.
The U.S. Women's World Cup team member got it this weekend in the U.S. Amateur Soccer Association Region III select tournament held in Greensboro (N.C.).
The tournament brought together select teams from across the nation, and U.S. regional coaches were on hand to evaluate players they may wish to call in for a fall national tournament that will be held in Rhode Island.
The North Carolina team, coached by Tracy's husband, UNC assistant coach Chris Ducar, is replete with a number of veteran and current Tar Heels.
Chris Ducar led his North Carolina team to four straight victories in the tournament, including a 4-1 win over South Texas in the championship match.
South Texas features former Tar Heel forward Robin Confer, who is now an assistant coach at Texas A&M.
"It's been a while since I've been out here," said Tracy Ducar, who last competed in the Women's World Cup indoor victory tour for Team USA last fall.
"I was a little bit off in the first game, but I felt more comfortable with my positioning in the second game."
Chris Ducar said it was not difficult coaching his wife during the tournament.
"I don't so much coach her as I tell her what I'm seeing," he said. "That's my style, anyway."
Tracy Ducar saw most of the action in the net during the four matches for the North Carolina team, but current Tar Heel goalie Kristin DePlatchett got in as well.
DePlatchett also competed in the field for the N.C. squad.
Tracy Ducar is excited about the prospects of playing professionally next spring, and the Massachussetts native is delighted that she has been allocated to the Boston franchise of the eight-team Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA).
She will be joined in Boston by UNC and Team USA legend Kristine Lilly, as well as U.S. player Kate Sobrero.
"This is great, because Boston was my first choice," Ducar said.
"It will be wonderful to be back with my friends and family, and to get the support from the fans back home. They haven't seen me play in so long."
Tracy Ducar said she plans on living at home during the first season in order to keep costs down.
The WUSA should be very successful, Tracy Ducar said, because she believes the league's organizers bring not only enthusiasm to the table, but a sound financial plan as well.
"Their business plan is very good, and they have some strong financial backers," she said. The television plan is also very good.
"It's exciting to finally see all of this coming together, because we've all been talking about it for so long. To finally see it come into fruition is very rewarding."
Chris Ducar agreed with his wife that the time is right for a professional women's soccer league in the U.S.
"You couldn't have scripted a better time for this to happen," said Ducar, who serves as UNC's recruiting coordinator.
"This league is definitely an investment, not a donation. I think this will also really give the players something to shoot for. I've already seen a rise in the level of play since plans for the league first started brewing."
Tracy Ducar is looking forward to competing in the new WUSA, but in the meantime she will work to keep in shape.
This fall, she will train goalkeepers from both the men's and women's teams at UNC-Greensboro.
"I've always got a ball at my feet," Tracy Ducar said. "I'm training, but I have to find a balance of not over-training. I don't want to go 100 percent right now because I will burn out.
"I want to maintain my fitness, build my strength and work on my vertical jump. I'll just stay involved."