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Tarpley and O'Reilly - A Young Olympic Experience

Aug. 9, 2004

HERAKLION, Greece (Aug. 9, 2004) - Midfielder Lindsay Tarpley (20 years old) and forward Heather O’Reilly (19) were teammates on the USA’s 2002 U-19 World Championship Team, slicing through the competition as two-thirds of the America’s “new Triple-Edged Sword.” They combined for 10 goals (and O’Reilly had seven assists) during the tournament and both played a part in the “golden goal” in sudden death overtime to defeat Canada, 1-0, in the championship game in front of almost 50,000 fans, with O’Reilly keeping the cross alive and Tarpley finishing it to end the game. They are teammates at the University of North Carolina, helping the Tarheels to a 27-0-0 record and the NCAA title last year and now they are teammates on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team, having survived and excelled during the USA’s three-month Olympic Residency Camp in Los Angeles following almost two months on the road during the first part of the year. On the eve of the 2004 Olympic Games, the USA’s two youngest players sat down with ussoccer.com and shared some thoughts on their experience, their journey to the brink of the Olympics and what they’ve learned along the way.