Former U.S. women’s soccer coach Tony DiCicco died on Monday at his home.
DiCicco coached the team that won the gold medal in the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta – the first time that women’s soccer took place in the games. His son, Anthony, posted a statement on Twitter on behalf of the family.
In 1999, DiCicco led the U.S. to the FIFA World Cup title in Pasadena, California. More than 90,000 watched the final game against China, making it the largest attendance ever for a women’s soccer game.
After spending time in television, DiCicco came back to coaching and led the Under-20 U.S. team to a world title in 2008.
DiCicco is the winningest head coach in U.S. Soccer history with 108 victories. He briefly coached Women’s Professional Soccer’s Boston Breakers for two years starting in 2009.
"Tony's passion for the game as a coach, administrator and broadcaster was always evident, and his relationships with everyone in the soccer community distinguished him as a compassionate and much-loved man," U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati told the Associated Press.
"U.S. Soccer will forever be thankful to Tony for his vast contributions to the game."
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