May 3, 2016
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – Viva La Copa!
UCF women’s soccer head coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak took part in the Copa America Centenario Media Day on Tuesday afternoon at Camping World Stadium.
Roberts Sahaydak is a member of the local host committee for the biggest sporting event in Orlando since the 1994 FIFA World Cup matches. She was on hand to help promote the event alongside Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orlando City SC President Phil Rawlins, Orlando City midfielder and two-time Copa America champion Julio Baptista and representatives from the consulates of Haiti, Panama, Bolivia and Colombia.
“It is a privilege to be a part of such a monumental event like Copa America. This is on par with hosting a World Cup, and for it to be in our own backyard is truly special,” Roberts Sahaydak said. “I think it is very fitting that Orlando was selected as one of the 10 host cities. This community takes pride in its reputation as the Soccer Capital of the South, and I expect Copa America to be a huge success.”
Over its 100-year history, the Latin American Championship will be held outside of South America for the first time this June.
Orlando is one of 10 U.S. host cities – and the only city in the South – that will feature 16 total teams from CONCACAF and the Confederacion Sudamericana de Futbol (CONMEBOL). The championship match is slated for 8 p.m. on June 26 in at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Orlando Match Schedule
June 4: Costa Rica vs. Paraguay – 5 p.m.
June 6: Panama vs. Bolivia – 7 p.m.
June 8: Brazil vs. Haiti – 7:30 p.m.
Roberts Sahaydak spent a decade with the U.S. National Team from 1994-2004, earning 110 caps (with 60 starts). Her career was highlighted by three women's World Cups - among them, the unforgettable 1999 championship - and a gold medal with the 1996 Olympic team.
Over the last decade, she has also served as an ambassador for U.S. Soccer with the U.S. Department of State Sports Envoy Program, promoting the power and benefit of sport internationally. In 2014, she was appointed to President Barack Obama’s Presidential Delegation to the Federative Republic of Brazil at the opening of the FIFA World Cup.
Roberts Sahaydak , a two-time American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, is gearing up for her fourth season at the helm of the UCF women’s soccer program, which earned its 20th NCAA Tournament berth last season.
Nine rookies will join the team in the fall that features 11 returning players who clocked time in at least 10 matches last year. Among those returners include American Athletic Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Year Carol Rodrigues and all-conference picks Kayla Adamek (first team) and Vera Varis (rookie team; all-tournament team).
Story and photos by Jenna Marina