July 22, 2010
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern head coach Tracey Fuchs continues her 22-year association with the United States national team this week when she accompanies the squad to Europe for a series of seven matches against the national sides of Spain and England. Fuchs, formerly the head coach of the U.S. Junior National Team, is serving as an assistant coach to the current senior roster.
Although the U.S. is not slated to compete in any major world competitions in 2010, this year's edition of the senior national team is looking to build a solid foundation for the upcoming 2011 Pan Am Games as well as the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
The Americans will have the chance to do just that playing against two teams ranked in the top-10 in the world in Spain and England.
"The timing of this tour is a great opportunity to initiate the preparation of these athletes to be successful at the highest level of international hockey," said Lee Bodimeade, the national team's head coach since 2005. "(This tour) is going to provide us with the competition required to fully assess where we are as team, both individually and collectively."
The team will play four matches versus Spain in Valencia (July 26, 27, 29 and 30) before heading to the historic Bisham Abbey for three matches versus England (Aug. 2, 5 and 6). Fuchs and the U.S. also will have the opportunity to tour the London 2012 Olympic facilities, including the Hockey Centre in Olympic Park.
As a competitor with the national team, Fuchs competed in two Olympic Games and four World Cups during her 17-year international career. She was a two-time USA Field Hockey Athlete of the Year honoree. Last summer, Fuchs coached the USA Junior National Team through the BDO Women's Junior World Cup in Boston.
For a complete USA roster for its upcoming trip, visit the official website of USA Field Hockey.
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