The American women's soccer team coach April Heinrichs is resigning, six months after leading the team to an Olympic gold medal.

The US Soccer Federation said Tuesday that Heinrichs will remain as a consultant until the end of this year.

No replacement was immediately chosen. Assistant coaches Greg Ryan and Phil Wheddon will direct the team in the interim.

"There were a number of goals when I first stepped into this position five years ago," Heinrichs said in a statement released by the federation. "No one is a national team coach forever and for me personally, this is the right time to step away."

(Xinhua News Agency February 16, 2005)