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Tracey Fuchs of the United States, center, attempts a shot on the Spanish goal during their women's Olympic hockey game Tuesday July 30, 1996 at the Centennial Summer Games in Atlanta.

PlanetFieldHockey talked last week to veteran USA midfielder and Captain Tracey Fuchs. Fuchs recently led her national team to victory over India and qualification for the 2002 World Cup. The US Captain scored on her longevity, her love of the game and what she believes about teamwork.

Name: Tracey Fuchs
Games for USA: 223
Number: 9
Position: Midfield

Andrew Griffiths (PlanetFieldHockey): How long have you competed for the USA?
Tracey Fuchs: I have competed since 1987 for the national team and started with the under 21 team in 1984.

AG: When was your first game and against whom?
TF: I am not sure, but I think my first game was against Holland in Holland. It was a long time ago!

AG: What do you remember about your first game?
TF: I remember that Boud (our Dutch coach) was trying to tell me that I got my first cap and I thought he was saying I made my first cut!

AG: What keeps you motivated to keep playing and competing at the highest level?
TF: Definitely my teammates. Each and every one adds something different to our team.
Also the game is changing so much. Since the Atlanta Olympics, there have been so many changes and it is still so challenging both physically and tactically along with so many more skills being introduced.

AG: You have seen a lot of players come and go from the team over the years. What have you learned from your teammates?
TF: That everyone has such an important role whether you are a starter or # 16. Everyone is equally important and these days, you need everyone to be successful.

AG: How difficult was it to keep focus throughout all the postponements/cancellations during the qualification process?
TF: It was really, really difficult. Not only do we have many New Yorkers and players affected by Sept. 11th, but all the postponements were really difficult, because it was really difficult to stay at a 'peak level' for 10 months. We all missed a lot, from the holidays with our families because we needed to be back in Virginia Beach, to our teammate's wedding. We just tried to keep focused on the series and knew we had to play before November! It became amusing after the first few months of changes and it was definitely worth it. The good thing was that we got Jill Reeve back, who blew out her ACL and came back 3 months and 10 days later. Amazing really!

AG: Was there anything specific that helped you along the way?
TF: Watching the grief that the family members of the WTC are going through, we knew that it was our way to fight for our country and do something really good for usa hockey. We wanted to go in and play well, and everything out there

AG: Were there a lot of nerves before the deciding final game?
TF: I think there were nerves before each game, but I think both teams were nervous before game 3.

AG: Did you do anything as captain at half-time to turn things around, being down a goal?
TF: You know, we were down a goal, but really we were playing alright, so I knew we were right in the game. After we scored the first goal 1 minute in, we really started to click. I think I just tried to reassure everyone, that we were ok, and not to stray to far off, of what we needed to do.

AG: Your personal performance was excellent at the qualifier - did you feel like
you wanted to prove a point?
TF: Thanks, I never really felt that I had to prove a point. For me, it was all about the team and how much time and energy we had put into this series. We knew if everyone played good… not necessarily great, that we would be successful, and that is exactly what happened in game 3. There were some unbelievable performances by everyone, and that is why we our going to Perth.

AG: Your head coach has said that your team are not the most skilled team in the world, but a strong TEAM, and very determined - do you think this is an accurate reflection of your group?
TF: I think that we are a very dedicated group of players who work really hard at what we do. (like most teams I would imagine!) We don't grow up playing one sport, so we aren't going to be the most skilled, as we get a later start and don't usually play year round till college. We are working hard to improve our skills, and keeping the American spirit as well!

AG: What is your build-up like for the WC?
TF: Well, we finally had some time off… We will do a promotional tour against some college sides, and then we have a 4-nation here in Virginia Beach with Ireland, Scotland and Mexico. I am sure we will go over to Australia pretty early as well, so that we will be prepared for Perth.

AG: What do you feel the team's chances are at the World Cup?
TF: Our pool includes Holland, Australia, South Africa, Japan, Spain, Ireland and England. Hopefully we will do well. Anything can happen during a tournament, so we need to prepare for each team and work really hard in the next 3 months!

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