Two Utah women soccer players — former U. of U. star Staci Burt and BYU All-American Aleisha Cramer — have received invitations from U.S. women's head coach April Heinrichs to participate in the tryouts for the national team.
Cramer is just one of five current collegiate players to get an invitation to the 24-player training camp. The 5-foot-10 midfielder from Lakewood, Colo., could miss the first three weeks of the season with the Cougars if she makes the 18-member roster.
Burt has been a starting midfielder for the Carolina Courage of the newly formed WUSA this season. She began her soccer career at Cottonwood High, where she played on all three lines. She then moved on to the U., where she led the Utes in scoring and assists three years.
Burt was a first team All-Conference choice from 1997 through '99 and was a second-team choice in 1996. After graduating, she played for the Chicago Cobras in the W-League.
The 24 players will train in Chicago beginning Sept. 4 in preparation for the 2001 Nike U.S. Women's Cup which is a four-team tournament that includes teams from Germany, Japan and China.
The U.S. team faces Germany on Sept. 9 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Japan on Sept. 11 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio and China on Sept. 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
Incidentally, Cramer's BYU teammates will be in the Chicago area Sept. 8-10 playing against Minnesota and No. 24 Northwestern.