Virginia Commonwealth University

Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak, a 22-year old midfielder at the time,was on the field with the rest of her 19 teammates rushing tocelebrate the moment and take in the over 90,000 fans in attendanceand millions across the world cheering on the team.

Although she is no longer playing, Roberts Sahaydak is engulfedin the sport she loves as she enters her seventh season as theCo-Head Coach of the VCU women’s soccer team, along with herhusband, Tim.

The duo’s impact was felt immediately, leading the Rams toan 11-8-3 mark and a date in the 2007 CAA Championship game, with aroster of just 13 healthy players. 

“The first year was something that we will neverforget,” she said. “Not only was it our first year ashead coaches, but the way our girls continued to battle and doanything we asked of them was just awesome.”

They’ve continued that upward trajectory ever since,leading VCU to back-to-back conference championship matches in 2011(Colonial Athletic Association) and 2012 (Atlantic 10), whiletotaling 21 victories the past two seasons.

The duo was named CAA Co-Coaches of the Year in 2011 after going7-1-3 in their final 11 matches.  The only loss during thatstretch came as a 1-0 overtime heartbreaker against nationallyranked William & Mary in the conference title game.

The Sahaydaks have also established one of the eastcoast’s top defensive units during their time inRichmond.  In 2012, VCU ranked 22nd nationally in savepercentage, while ranking 19th (2011) and 30th (2012) ingoals-against average each of the past two seasons.  The Ramshave also posted 20 shutouts since 2011.

Their leadership has certainly been on display, having mentoredtwo CAA Defenders of the Year, one CAA Rookie of the Year and 20all-conference players, including six first-team honorees.

Former U.S. Soccer star Julie Foudy knew VCU made the rightselection when hiring the Sahaydaks back in 2007.

“I think you have to feel like VCU just won the lottery.Twice,” said Foudy.

Foudy credits Roberts Sahaydak’s success to her ability tomotivate a player and now as a coach.

“She brings the same passion for the game and forinspiring those around her to coaching,” Foudy said.“She not only teaches the skills it takes to improve, but thepresence of mind it takes to be a great leader. And Tiffany wouldknow, she was one of our very best.”

Part of being so prepared for Roberts Sahaydak came from all heryears involved in the game. Growing up in San Ramon, Calif., allshe wanted to do was play soccer. Having three brothers gave herplenty of people to play against, but it also made her tougher andmore dedicated than ever facing them.

Her hard work and sacrifice for the game that she loved came tofruition when she stood on the Olympic podium to receive her goldmedal at the 1996 Summer Olympics.

That’s just a brief glimpse of her success on the pitch asshe was a three-time High School All-American, which helped landher a scholarship for the country’s top collegiate program,North Carolina, under the watchful eye of legendary coach, AnsonDorrance.

She was a three-time First-Team All-ACC performer for the TarHeels, helping them to a pair of NCAA titles during her tenure.During her final season in 1998, she was voted the ACC TournamentMVP and finished third in voting for both the Hermann Trophy, givento the country’s top collegiate men’s and women’ssoccer players.

Her rise through the women’s soccer ranks was strictlybecause of her hard work and now she wants to help motivate herplayers to help them reach their goals.

“In the bigger picture, Tim and I want to be mentors forthis team,” she said. “We try to teach lifelessons.  We try to use soccer to teach them.  Soccer hasmade me the person I am today.  Our ultimate goal is to havethese young women leave our program and be better and strongerwomen, better and stronger leaders.”

The couple currently resides in Richmond’s Historic FanDistrict with their two daughters, Layla and Evie.

WHATTHEY’RE SAYING ABOUT TIFFANY ROBERTSSAHAYDAK

“I have been spoiled in my 30-year coaching life andone of those periods was when I had the singular privilege oftraining Tiffany Roberts when she played for me at the Universityof North Carolina. Not only was she a remarkable player, but shewas an enthusiastic, passionate and upbeat leader. I enjoyed goingto practice just because I knew she would be there, I could see hersmiling face. I can’t think of a better way for Tiffany tospend her time than inspiring the youth. Not only will this World,Olympic, WUSA, and Collegiate Champion teach you all you need toknow to become the best player you can be, but you will have funwhile you are doing it.” – Anson Dorrance,North Carolina Head Coach

“Tim and Tiffany provide a unique component of soccerpedigree, knowledge of the game and a passion to do what’sright for each youngster they train. There are few coaches that canoffer an Olympic Gold Medal, a World Championship and a NCAAChampionship on their resume… Tiffany can; but that is onlypart of her story. Tim has outstanding credentials includingplaying professionally for MLS; playing for our U20 Men’sNational Team and being part of the 2000 Olympic Player Pool. Whatthey can impart to their players is impossible for most othercoaches to duplicate.” – Tony DiCicco,former U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach

“I had the privilege of playing alongside TiffanyRoberts on the USA Women’s Soccer Team for almost a decade.The feats fans watched her perform every single day- taking playerson, both offense and defense for an entire game up and down thefield, her speed, her feistiness – were only a small part ofwhat made Tiffany so great. The attribute I most admired was herleadership. She was a constant voice directing, dictating,encouraging and pushing all those around her. Tiffany had thisincredible vocal ability to make you want to work harder, runfaster, do more. She could not only inspire you by her relentlessplay but by her consistent banter telling you that ‘you canget that ball’, ‘we are going to win this game’,‘apply pressure faster’, etc. She will bring this samepassion for the game and for inspiring those around her tocoaching. She will not only teach young kids the skills it takes toimprove, but the presence of mind it takes to be a great leader.And Tiffany would know, she was one of our very best.”– Julie Foudy, former Captain of the US Women’sNational Team

“Tim and Tiffany have bothbeen involved in every level of the game as players, so they bringan invaluable understanding of the game and what it takes tosucceed at the highest levels of soccer. The ambition, and love forthe game which both of them have leave no doubt that theircontribution the game now as coaches will help any player maximizetheir own abilities.” – John Cone, formerKansas City Wizards Assistant Coach, MLS