Carla Overbeck - (2010)

           A long-time captain of the United States Women’s National Team and standout at the University of North Carolina, Carla Overbeck is one of the most successful women’s soccer players in U.S. history. 

            Overbeck was a member of three U.S. World Cup teams, two Olympic squads and one Goodwill Games.  A defender, Overbeck was instrumental in leading the U.S. to the 1999 Women’s World Cup Championship and lifted the trophy at the Rose Bowl, after playing every minute of all six games.  In the final against China, she nailed the opening penalty kick in the shootout.  Overbeck was one of only two players who played every minute of the 1999 World Cup, the 1996 Olympics and 1995 World Cup. 

            Member of the 2000 Olympic team in Australia that won the silver medal and captained the USA to the first-ever Goodwill Games gold medal in the summer of 1998.  Overbeck was captain of the gold medal winning U.S. team at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.  She played in 63 consecutive international matches, a record for any U.S. National Team player – men or women. 

            Overbeck was a finalist for the 1995 Women’s Sports Foundation Athlete of the Year along with the likes of Bonnie Blair, Steffi Graf, Picabo Street and Rebecca Lobo.  She is the only female player to win a Women’s World Cup in the city in which she was born.

            She saw action in her first FIFA World Cup in 1991 as the U.S. won its first world championship.  Overbeck led a defense that allowed just five goals in six matches.  She finished her U.S. national team career in 2000 with 168 career caps, while starting 161 games and notching seven goals.

            A three-time NSCAA All-America selection at North Carolina, Overbeck was a member of four unbeaten Tar Heel National Championship squads from 1986-89. North Carolina posted a phenomenal 95-match unbeaten streak (89-0-6) during her career.

            Overbeck was a four-time member of the NCAA All-Tournament Team and a two-time All-ACC selection. In addition, she was a member of the 1986 Soccer America All-America Freshman Team and was the Most Valuable Defensive Player of the 1988 NCAA Tournament.

            She attended Richardson High School in Dallas, Texas where she played volleyball and basketball.  Overbeck played club soccer for the Dallas Sting, leading the Sting to two national championships. 

            Overbeck is currently an assistant coach on the Duke University women’s soccer staff where she recently completed her 18^th season.  Over her coaching career, Overbeck has helped guide the Blue Devils to 16 NCAA Tournament bids and an appearance in the 1992 NCAA Championship game.  In 2007 and 2008, Duke advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight in back-to-back years for the first time in school history.

            On May 6, 2006, Overbeck was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.  Overbeck graduated from North Carolina with a degree in psychology in 1990.

            Overbeck and her husband, Greg, have one son, Jackson (12) and a daughter, Carson Elizabeth (6).