Tony DiCicco, Wethersfield Native and U.S. Soccer Legend, Dies

WETHERSFIELD, CT — Wethersfield native Tony DiCicco, the former U.S. women's national soccer team coach who guided the squad to its second World Cup championship in 1999, has died.

He was 68.

DiCicco died Monday and his obituary was posted on Legacy.com.

"While the health challenges Tony faced were confronted head on and with eyes open, we never could have foreseen the beautiful journey that truly defined the magnificence of this man's life," his family said in a statement released with the obit.

DiCicco coached the national team from 1994 to 1999 and won an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. women in 1996.

DiCicco was born Aug. 5, 1948, in Wethersfield and grew up locally. He was recipient of the prestigious Gold Key Award from the Connecticut Sports Writers' Alliance in 2000.

He graduated from Springfield College in 1968 and was an All-American goalkeeper as a senior.

He played professionally for five years with the Connecticut Wildcats and Rhode Island Oceaneers of the American Soccer League and made one appearance for the U.S. men's national soccer team in 1973.

He started out with the women's team in 1991 as the goalkeeper coach and became head coach of the women's team in 1994, compiling a record of 103 wins, eight losses, and eight draws.

The team defeated China in a dramatic contest to capture the 1999 World Cup.

In his later years, he provided commentary for coverage of women's soccer for ESPN and Fox Sports.

DiCicco, who was elected to the class of 2012 of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

He co-wrote a book called "Catch Them Being Good: Everything You Need to Know To Successfully Coach Girls," along with Colleen Hacker and Charles Salzberg.

The family Tweeted a more extensive statement. Read it here.

Family members said they will share funeral information when arrangements are complete.

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