Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Ali Krieger wins UEFA Cup, Father Ken retires
Ali's Franfurt team beat Marta and company Sunday 3-2 in the second leg of the women's UEFA Cup final. She is now with the US team in LA.
Meanwhile, her father (and former PWSI coach) Ken Krieger has retired after a 30-year coaching career - accumulating a record as the winningest high school coach in Virginia history. He wants to spend more time supporting Ali, as well as caring for his ailing father, who has pancreatic cancer. Read about his amazing career here.Labels: Ali Krieger, Ken Krieger, U.S. Women
Beckham's 70-yard goal video
Have you seen this goal yet? Hopefully the youtube link will stay live (if MLS is smart, and doesn't force them to take it down).
If the video is gone (boooo MLS) check it out here:
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Ali Krieger update
In case you were wondering why Ali Krieger hadn't been in the last three US Women's team camps after making her first appearances for the full national team earlier this year, it wasn't because she wasn't wanted.
The US team tried calling her in three times, but her pro club - FFC Frankfurt - would not release her. As one of the best women's teams in Europe, they have been busy with Bundesliga, German Cup, and UEFA Cup matches. In fact, she's showing up late to this US camp because Frankfurt faces Marta's Umea team this Saturday for the Women's UEFA Cup trophy after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
I caught up with Ali by email yesterday from Germany and incorporated some of her quotes into our story on the US camp.
Here's the rest of what she had to say:
On her first chance to get back to a US camp since January of this year
I'm really happy to finally get back to LA and train once again with the full team. The reason I am only going to half of the camp is because I am playing in the UEFA Cup Final match this Saturday with 1.FFC Frankfurt against a team from Umea, Sweden. The club has released me for the second week of this camp because we have some time off before we finish the last three games of our Bundesliga (regular season) games.
On when she'll be done with the Bundesliga season and her plans for the summer
The Bundesliga here in Germany will not be finished until June 15th which is our last game. I will then be coming home on June 16th to prepare for the upcoming camps that are left for this summer with the full WNT.
On what her first season as a pro in Europe has been like
Playing for Frankfurt has been a great experience and I am very happy to be on one of the best club teams in the world! I think no matter if I am with the US team training or playing here in Germany with my club, I think both atmospheres have prepared me for what is to come these next couple months. I feel really lucky to have both options of playing with the US Team or here in Frankfurt. I am really happy to be thrown back into the mix after missing out on a few big events, but I did miss for appropriate reasons, UEFA Cup games and German Cups games for Frankfurt. I think playing here in Europe this year, has honestly been the best experience I think I could get.
On chances of making the US Olympic squad
I feel fit and really motivated for the next month coming up. I'm happy to have the opportunity to make the Olympic roster and I will be extremely excited if it comes true. It will be truly rewarding and I would feel very honored to be a part of such a great team. I have been working really hard this past year to make this dream come true, so I can only hope the outcome will be successful!
Got any of your own questions for Ali? Post them here as comments, and I'll email her for your answers.
Labels: Ali Krieger, U.S. Women
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
How the little boy that cried explains what's wrong with American soccer
For my full story on Fulham's great escape, and why this little boy was so upset - see this article on Potomac Soccer Wire
As news of Fulham’s win on the final day came over the air, it devastated Reading fans who’s team had just won convincingly 4-0. Several TV sports news program showed the hear breaking images of a boy no more than five years old crying and thrashing about uncontrollably in his father’s arms, both wearing Reading jerseys. The news had obviously just set in that Fulham had won and their team had crashed to the 2nd tier of soccer in England after just two short seasons in the Promised Land. For much of the lifetime of that boy, Reading had been in the Premier League. To him, it was his world.
As heart wrenching as it is, the image of that little boy crying really speaks to the emotional power that is inherent to the structure of soccer leagues in most of the rest of the world. From despair, as though there has been a death in the family, to unbounded joy and cheering like you’ve just been reborn and won the lottery on the same day, the emotions felt by fans epitomizes the cliché of “life and death” in sports.
It must seem like a cruel, cruel world to that little boy, but the rest of us can take away the greatness of what Fulham had just achieved, even if you’re not a Fulham fan. I personally can’t imagine caring quite that much about my favorite team winning or losing a Super Bowl, because “at least we were there, and we won our division championship anyway”. Chelsea fans of a similar age could not possibly feel their world had ended, when on the same day they learned their team would finish 2nd in the league behind this year’s EPL Champion Manchester United.
Only the reality that is relegation creates this much caring deep within fans. And although American sports marketers continue to say that “playoffs are the American way”, I firmly believe MLS will never be one of the best leagues in the world, let alone truly challenge for the hearts of serious NBA, MLB, or NFL fans until it too offers such a structure. In it’s current state, every team – no matter how bad – is safe, with the only drama outside of an MLS Cup final being whether or not a team will get a lower pick of some unproven college prospects in that winter’s “draft”.
It all reminds me of an anonymous quote I’ve seen as a signature line of many online soccer fans’ profiles, on t-shirts, and used all the time in loose conversation amongst regular fans - “Some say soccer is a matter of life and death. But I assure you, it’s way more important than that.” Indeed. And until that is the MLS marketing tag line, backed up with action, our soccer will always be 2nd class.Labels: Fulham, MLS, Reading FC
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
More quotes from Abby and the gang
Thought everyong might enjoy the full quotes collected for my article on the US women's team after their 6-0 steam rolling of Canada Saturday night at RFK.
From Head Coach Pia Sundhage
On the recent performance of Natasha Kai:
I have to say she's done an absolutely fantastic job. I wasn't happy when I saw her the first time. She was not focused. She was unfit, and I don't think she acted professionally. So I gave her feedback – is the look you want people to remind you. And she started to show up in practice and do in a good way and little by little. To me it was very important to give her feedback when she did something good. And she started to play some minutes and more and more and then the starting 11. She did a great job. My job is to give her support and give her feedback, and make her accountable for what she has to do. She didn't act professional in general, and that was bad.
Has she had the opportunity to review the youth development system in the US since arriving?
No. I've been here since December. So, I'm focused on the Olympics. I know there are many things going on. And if I survive the Olympics, I should be part of women's development. Right now, honestly I don't have time. I need to spend time with the game and with the players.
Does she think there should be a single national league for girls just like the USSF created for boys?
Well, I don't know. Because I don't have the bigger picture. But I do think it's important to ask the bigger question of what should there be on the women's side. Because if you look around the world right now. You look at Germany. I know what's happening in Germany – they have a program. – a developmental program. In Sweden they have an elite program, and I know what's happening in Norway. So we need in the US to find our way. And start to look at the situation and ask is this a good environment for a little girl or is a good environment for a 19 year old girls who is just very talented she can play in this team. I don't know the answer of course, but we have to ask the question and right now there's something going on so, but I'm not a part of that right now.
Have you noticed a big difference between how this team is playing now compared to under Ryan last year in the World Cup?
Yes. The reason I am here is the word “change”. I have European style and one word is “keep possession” and find right moment to penetrate to find that timing, and it's a change. But I can't do too much of a change that I confuse them, but I can't do too little either because no one would notice, so I try to do something between, and this game I think we are half way there we are doing a great job. Sometimes we play direct to Abby, and sometimes we keep possession and slow down the game a little bit.
How is to win like this without Abby scoring goals?
Yes, but still she scores, and that's a strength. Of course, she played 90 minutes and she a part of the attack of course, and if you ask Even Pellerud [the Canadian Coach], he will talk about Abby – what problems she creates. She didn't score goals, however we have other players stepping up and scoring goals, and that's a strength.
Abby Wambach
How does it feel to be back at RFK?
It's great. It feels like I'm back home. The fans are great. There were a lot of fans here and the crowd was rocking and when you score six goals, there's a lot to cheer about so it's a great game.
Did you feel you were back home all week, or just when you arrived here tonight?
Yeah, all week. It's crazy how driving all around DC I knew exactly where I was going. I haven't been back here in a couple years. It's special being here and I have a special place in my heart for the city of DC.
Despite your offer to let other players choose first, is Washington your first choice if you have a choice for a WPS team?
It makes sense, but I don't exactly know how the cookies are going to crumble. But I'm going to do the best that I can once the league starts to hopefully make it a success.
Is it exciting to see a lot of other players scoring goals?
You have no idea how relieving it is because it makes my job easier. We're scoring a lot of goals. It's making our attack and our playing more dangerous to other teams and it's a whole heck of a lot harder for us to be the tactically broken down.
Angela Hucles
On only player from this area – what is it like to be back here.
It's great. You can hear the fans that are excited to have us here. My parents, cousins, uncles, [are here] I always love coming back to this area.
What club did you play for growing up?
Beach FC – they're still going strong!
On living in Boston and wanting to play for Boston WPS team – will it happen for sure?
I don't know for sure. Hopefully in the next couple of months we'll figure out which players are being allocated and which are being drafted. I'm looking forward to finding out where I'm going to be.
On scoring the winning goal last week against Australia in the final minute.
It was great. Everything just lined up perfectly. A great ball in from Abby perfectly flicked on. I was very fortunate to get that finish.Labels: Abby Wambach, Angela Hucles, Pia Sundhage, U.S. Women, WPS
Meanwhile, her father (and former PWSI coach) Ken Krieger has retired after a 30-year coaching career - accumulating a record as the winningest high school coach in Virginia history. He wants to spend more time supporting Ali, as well as caring for his ailing father, who has pancreatic cancer. Read about his amazing career here.
Labels: Ali Krieger, Ken Krieger, U.S. Women
Have you seen this goal yet? Hopefully the youtube link will stay live (if MLS is smart, and doesn't force them to take it down).
If the video is gone (boooo MLS) check it out here:
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Ali Krieger update
In case you were wondering why Ali Krieger hadn't been in the last three US Women's team camps after making her first appearances for the full national team earlier this year, it wasn't because she wasn't wanted.
The US team tried calling her in three times, but her pro club - FFC Frankfurt - would not release her. As one of the best women's teams in Europe, they have been busy with Bundesliga, German Cup, and UEFA Cup matches. In fact, she's showing up late to this US camp because Frankfurt faces Marta's Umea team this Saturday for the Women's UEFA Cup trophy after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
I caught up with Ali by email yesterday from Germany and incorporated some of her quotes into our story on the US camp.
Here's the rest of what she had to say:
On her first chance to get back to a US camp since January of this year
I'm really happy to finally get back to LA and train once again with the full team. The reason I am only going to half of the camp is because I am playing in the UEFA Cup Final match this Saturday with 1.FFC Frankfurt against a team from Umea, Sweden. The club has released me for the second week of this camp because we have some time off before we finish the last three games of our Bundesliga (regular season) games.
On when she'll be done with the Bundesliga season and her plans for the summer
The Bundesliga here in Germany will not be finished until June 15th which is our last game. I will then be coming home on June 16th to prepare for the upcoming camps that are left for this summer with the full WNT.
On what her first season as a pro in Europe has been like
Playing for Frankfurt has been a great experience and I am very happy to be on one of the best club teams in the world! I think no matter if I am with the US team training or playing here in Germany with my club, I think both atmospheres have prepared me for what is to come these next couple months. I feel really lucky to have both options of playing with the US Team or here in Frankfurt. I am really happy to be thrown back into the mix after missing out on a few big events, but I did miss for appropriate reasons, UEFA Cup games and German Cups games for Frankfurt. I think playing here in Europe this year, has honestly been the best experience I think I could get.
On chances of making the US Olympic squad
I feel fit and really motivated for the next month coming up. I'm happy to have the opportunity to make the Olympic roster and I will be extremely excited if it comes true. It will be truly rewarding and I would feel very honored to be a part of such a great team. I have been working really hard this past year to make this dream come true, so I can only hope the outcome will be successful!
Got any of your own questions for Ali? Post them here as comments, and I'll email her for your answers.
Labels: Ali Krieger, U.S. Women
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
How the little boy that cried explains what's wrong with American soccer
For my full story on Fulham's great escape, and why this little boy was so upset - see this article on Potomac Soccer Wire
As news of Fulham’s win on the final day came over the air, it devastated Reading fans who’s team had just won convincingly 4-0. Several TV sports news program showed the hear breaking images of a boy no more than five years old crying and thrashing about uncontrollably in his father’s arms, both wearing Reading jerseys. The news had obviously just set in that Fulham had won and their team had crashed to the 2nd tier of soccer in England after just two short seasons in the Promised Land. For much of the lifetime of that boy, Reading had been in the Premier League. To him, it was his world.
As heart wrenching as it is, the image of that little boy crying really speaks to the emotional power that is inherent to the structure of soccer leagues in most of the rest of the world. From despair, as though there has been a death in the family, to unbounded joy and cheering like you’ve just been reborn and won the lottery on the same day, the emotions felt by fans epitomizes the cliché of “life and death” in sports.
It must seem like a cruel, cruel world to that little boy, but the rest of us can take away the greatness of what Fulham had just achieved, even if you’re not a Fulham fan. I personally can’t imagine caring quite that much about my favorite team winning or losing a Super Bowl, because “at least we were there, and we won our division championship anyway”. Chelsea fans of a similar age could not possibly feel their world had ended, when on the same day they learned their team would finish 2nd in the league behind this year’s EPL Champion Manchester United.
Only the reality that is relegation creates this much caring deep within fans. And although American sports marketers continue to say that “playoffs are the American way”, I firmly believe MLS will never be one of the best leagues in the world, let alone truly challenge for the hearts of serious NBA, MLB, or NFL fans until it too offers such a structure. In it’s current state, every team – no matter how bad – is safe, with the only drama outside of an MLS Cup final being whether or not a team will get a lower pick of some unproven college prospects in that winter’s “draft”.
It all reminds me of an anonymous quote I’ve seen as a signature line of many online soccer fans’ profiles, on t-shirts, and used all the time in loose conversation amongst regular fans - “Some say soccer is a matter of life and death. But I assure you, it’s way more important than that.” Indeed. And until that is the MLS marketing tag line, backed up with action, our soccer will always be 2nd class.Labels: Fulham, MLS, Reading FC
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
More quotes from Abby and the gang
Thought everyong might enjoy the full quotes collected for my article on the US women's team after their 6-0 steam rolling of Canada Saturday night at RFK.
From Head Coach Pia Sundhage
On the recent performance of Natasha Kai:
I have to say she's done an absolutely fantastic job. I wasn't happy when I saw her the first time. She was not focused. She was unfit, and I don't think she acted professionally. So I gave her feedback – is the look you want people to remind you. And she started to show up in practice and do in a good way and little by little. To me it was very important to give her feedback when she did something good. And she started to play some minutes and more and more and then the starting 11. She did a great job. My job is to give her support and give her feedback, and make her accountable for what she has to do. She didn't act professional in general, and that was bad.
Has she had the opportunity to review the youth development system in the US since arriving?
No. I've been here since December. So, I'm focused on the Olympics. I know there are many things going on. And if I survive the Olympics, I should be part of women's development. Right now, honestly I don't have time. I need to spend time with the game and with the players.
Does she think there should be a single national league for girls just like the USSF created for boys?
Well, I don't know. Because I don't have the bigger picture. But I do think it's important to ask the bigger question of what should there be on the women's side. Because if you look around the world right now. You look at Germany. I know what's happening in Germany – they have a program. – a developmental program. In Sweden they have an elite program, and I know what's happening in Norway. So we need in the US to find our way. And start to look at the situation and ask is this a good environment for a little girl or is a good environment for a 19 year old girls who is just very talented she can play in this team. I don't know the answer of course, but we have to ask the question and right now there's something going on so, but I'm not a part of that right now.
Have you noticed a big difference between how this team is playing now compared to under Ryan last year in the World Cup?
Yes. The reason I am here is the word “change”. I have European style and one word is “keep possession” and find right moment to penetrate to find that timing, and it's a change. But I can't do too much of a change that I confuse them, but I can't do too little either because no one would notice, so I try to do something between, and this game I think we are half way there we are doing a great job. Sometimes we play direct to Abby, and sometimes we keep possession and slow down the game a little bit.
How is to win like this without Abby scoring goals?
Yes, but still she scores, and that's a strength. Of course, she played 90 minutes and she a part of the attack of course, and if you ask Even Pellerud [the Canadian Coach], he will talk about Abby – what problems she creates. She didn't score goals, however we have other players stepping up and scoring goals, and that's a strength.
Abby Wambach
How does it feel to be back at RFK?
It's great. It feels like I'm back home. The fans are great. There were a lot of fans here and the crowd was rocking and when you score six goals, there's a lot to cheer about so it's a great game.
Did you feel you were back home all week, or just when you arrived here tonight?
Yeah, all week. It's crazy how driving all around DC I knew exactly where I was going. I haven't been back here in a couple years. It's special being here and I have a special place in my heart for the city of DC.
Despite your offer to let other players choose first, is Washington your first choice if you have a choice for a WPS team?
It makes sense, but I don't exactly know how the cookies are going to crumble. But I'm going to do the best that I can once the league starts to hopefully make it a success.
Is it exciting to see a lot of other players scoring goals?
You have no idea how relieving it is because it makes my job easier. We're scoring a lot of goals. It's making our attack and our playing more dangerous to other teams and it's a whole heck of a lot harder for us to be the tactically broken down.
Angela Hucles
On only player from this area – what is it like to be back here.
It's great. You can hear the fans that are excited to have us here. My parents, cousins, uncles, [are here] I always love coming back to this area.
What club did you play for growing up?
Beach FC – they're still going strong!
On living in Boston and wanting to play for Boston WPS team – will it happen for sure?
I don't know for sure. Hopefully in the next couple of months we'll figure out which players are being allocated and which are being drafted. I'm looking forward to finding out where I'm going to be.
On scoring the winning goal last week against Australia in the final minute.
It was great. Everything just lined up perfectly. A great ball in from Abby perfectly flicked on. I was very fortunate to get that finish.Labels: Abby Wambach, Angela Hucles, Pia Sundhage, U.S. Women, WPS
The US team tried calling her in three times, but her pro club - FFC Frankfurt - would not release her. As one of the best women's teams in Europe, they have been busy with Bundesliga, German Cup, and UEFA Cup matches. In fact, she's showing up late to this US camp because Frankfurt faces Marta's Umea team this Saturday for the Women's UEFA Cup trophy after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
I caught up with Ali by email yesterday from Germany and incorporated some of her quotes into our story on the US camp.
Here's the rest of what she had to say:
On her first chance to get back to a US camp since January of this year
I'm really happy to finally get back to LA and train once again with the full team. The reason I am only going to half of the camp is because I am playing in the UEFA Cup Final match this Saturday with 1.FFC Frankfurt against a team from Umea, Sweden. The club has released me for the second week of this camp because we have some time off before we finish the last three games of our Bundesliga (regular season) games.
On when she'll be done with the Bundesliga season and her plans for the summer
The Bundesliga here in Germany will not be finished until June 15th which is our last game. I will then be coming home on June 16th to prepare for the upcoming camps that are left for this summer with the full WNT.
On what her first season as a pro in Europe has been like
Playing for Frankfurt has been a great experience and I am very happy to be on one of the best club teams in the world! I think no matter if I am with the US team training or playing here in Germany with my club, I think both atmospheres have prepared me for what is to come these next couple months. I feel really lucky to have both options of playing with the US Team or here in Frankfurt. I am really happy to be thrown back into the mix after missing out on a few big events, but I did miss for appropriate reasons, UEFA Cup games and German Cups games for Frankfurt. I think playing here in Europe this year, has honestly been the best experience I think I could get.
On chances of making the US Olympic squad
I feel fit and really motivated for the next month coming up. I'm happy to have the opportunity to make the Olympic roster and I will be extremely excited if it comes true. It will be truly rewarding and I would feel very honored to be a part of such a great team. I have been working really hard this past year to make this dream come true, so I can only hope the outcome will be successful!
Got any of your own questions for Ali? Post them here as comments, and I'll email her for your answers.
Labels: Ali Krieger, U.S. Women
For my full story on Fulham's great escape, and why this little boy was so upset - see this article on Potomac Soccer Wire
As news of Fulham’s win on the final day came over the air, it devastated Reading fans who’s team had just won convincingly 4-0. Several TV sports news program showed the hear breaking images of a boy no more than five years old crying and thrashing about uncontrollably in his father’s arms, both wearing Reading jerseys. The news had obviously just set in that Fulham had won and their team had crashed to the 2nd tier of soccer in England after just two short seasons in the Promised Land. For much of the lifetime of that boy, Reading had been in the Premier League. To him, it was his world.
As heart wrenching as it is, the image of that little boy crying really speaks to the emotional power that is inherent to the structure of soccer leagues in most of the rest of the world. From despair, as though there has been a death in the family, to unbounded joy and cheering like you’ve just been reborn and won the lottery on the same day, the emotions felt by fans epitomizes the cliché of “life and death” in sports.
It must seem like a cruel, cruel world to that little boy, but the rest of us can take away the greatness of what Fulham had just achieved, even if you’re not a Fulham fan. I personally can’t imagine caring quite that much about my favorite team winning or losing a Super Bowl, because “at least we were there, and we won our division championship anyway”. Chelsea fans of a similar age could not possibly feel their world had ended, when on the same day they learned their team would finish 2nd in the league behind this year’s EPL Champion Manchester United.
Only the reality that is relegation creates this much caring deep within fans. And although American sports marketers continue to say that “playoffs are the American way”, I firmly believe MLS will never be one of the best leagues in the world, let alone truly challenge for the hearts of serious NBA, MLB, or NFL fans until it too offers such a structure. In it’s current state, every team – no matter how bad – is safe, with the only drama outside of an MLS Cup final being whether or not a team will get a lower pick of some unproven college prospects in that winter’s “draft”.
It all reminds me of an anonymous quote I’ve seen as a signature line of many online soccer fans’ profiles, on t-shirts, and used all the time in loose conversation amongst regular fans - “Some say soccer is a matter of life and death. But I assure you, it’s way more important than that.” Indeed. And until that is the MLS marketing tag line, backed up with action, our soccer will always be 2nd class.
As news of Fulham’s win on the final day came over the air, it devastated Reading fans who’s team had just won convincingly 4-0. Several TV sports news program showed the hear breaking images of a boy no more than five years old crying and thrashing about uncontrollably in his father’s arms, both wearing Reading jerseys. The news had obviously just set in that Fulham had won and their team had crashed to the 2nd tier of soccer in England after just two short seasons in the Promised Land. For much of the lifetime of that boy, Reading had been in the Premier League. To him, it was his world.
As heart wrenching as it is, the image of that little boy crying really speaks to the emotional power that is inherent to the structure of soccer leagues in most of the rest of the world. From despair, as though there has been a death in the family, to unbounded joy and cheering like you’ve just been reborn and won the lottery on the same day, the emotions felt by fans epitomizes the cliché of “life and death” in sports.
It must seem like a cruel, cruel world to that little boy, but the rest of us can take away the greatness of what Fulham had just achieved, even if you’re not a Fulham fan. I personally can’t imagine caring quite that much about my favorite team winning or losing a Super Bowl, because “at least we were there, and we won our division championship anyway”. Chelsea fans of a similar age could not possibly feel their world had ended, when on the same day they learned their team would finish 2nd in the league behind this year’s EPL Champion Manchester United.
Only the reality that is relegation creates this much caring deep within fans. And although American sports marketers continue to say that “playoffs are the American way”, I firmly believe MLS will never be one of the best leagues in the world, let alone truly challenge for the hearts of serious NBA, MLB, or NFL fans until it too offers such a structure. In it’s current state, every team – no matter how bad – is safe, with the only drama outside of an MLS Cup final being whether or not a team will get a lower pick of some unproven college prospects in that winter’s “draft”.
It all reminds me of an anonymous quote I’ve seen as a signature line of many online soccer fans’ profiles, on t-shirts, and used all the time in loose conversation amongst regular fans - “Some say soccer is a matter of life and death. But I assure you, it’s way more important than that.” Indeed. And until that is the MLS marketing tag line, backed up with action, our soccer will always be 2nd class.
Labels: Fulham, MLS, Reading FC
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
More quotes from Abby and the gang
Thought everyong might enjoy the full quotes collected for my article on the US women's team after their 6-0 steam rolling of Canada Saturday night at RFK.
From Head Coach Pia Sundhage
On the recent performance of Natasha Kai:
I have to say she's done an absolutely fantastic job. I wasn't happy when I saw her the first time. She was not focused. She was unfit, and I don't think she acted professionally. So I gave her feedback – is the look you want people to remind you. And she started to show up in practice and do in a good way and little by little. To me it was very important to give her feedback when she did something good. And she started to play some minutes and more and more and then the starting 11. She did a great job. My job is to give her support and give her feedback, and make her accountable for what she has to do. She didn't act professional in general, and that was bad.
Has she had the opportunity to review the youth development system in the US since arriving?
No. I've been here since December. So, I'm focused on the Olympics. I know there are many things going on. And if I survive the Olympics, I should be part of women's development. Right now, honestly I don't have time. I need to spend time with the game and with the players.
Does she think there should be a single national league for girls just like the USSF created for boys?
Well, I don't know. Because I don't have the bigger picture. But I do think it's important to ask the bigger question of what should there be on the women's side. Because if you look around the world right now. You look at Germany. I know what's happening in Germany – they have a program. – a developmental program. In Sweden they have an elite program, and I know what's happening in Norway. So we need in the US to find our way. And start to look at the situation and ask is this a good environment for a little girl or is a good environment for a 19 year old girls who is just very talented she can play in this team. I don't know the answer of course, but we have to ask the question and right now there's something going on so, but I'm not a part of that right now.
Have you noticed a big difference between how this team is playing now compared to under Ryan last year in the World Cup?
Yes. The reason I am here is the word “change”. I have European style and one word is “keep possession” and find right moment to penetrate to find that timing, and it's a change. But I can't do too much of a change that I confuse them, but I can't do too little either because no one would notice, so I try to do something between, and this game I think we are half way there we are doing a great job. Sometimes we play direct to Abby, and sometimes we keep possession and slow down the game a little bit.
How is to win like this without Abby scoring goals?
Yes, but still she scores, and that's a strength. Of course, she played 90 minutes and she a part of the attack of course, and if you ask Even Pellerud [the Canadian Coach], he will talk about Abby – what problems she creates. She didn't score goals, however we have other players stepping up and scoring goals, and that's a strength.
Abby Wambach
How does it feel to be back at RFK?
It's great. It feels like I'm back home. The fans are great. There were a lot of fans here and the crowd was rocking and when you score six goals, there's a lot to cheer about so it's a great game.
Did you feel you were back home all week, or just when you arrived here tonight?
Yeah, all week. It's crazy how driving all around DC I knew exactly where I was going. I haven't been back here in a couple years. It's special being here and I have a special place in my heart for the city of DC.
Despite your offer to let other players choose first, is Washington your first choice if you have a choice for a WPS team?
It makes sense, but I don't exactly know how the cookies are going to crumble. But I'm going to do the best that I can once the league starts to hopefully make it a success.
Is it exciting to see a lot of other players scoring goals?
You have no idea how relieving it is because it makes my job easier. We're scoring a lot of goals. It's making our attack and our playing more dangerous to other teams and it's a whole heck of a lot harder for us to be the tactically broken down.
Angela Hucles
On only player from this area – what is it like to be back here.
It's great. You can hear the fans that are excited to have us here. My parents, cousins, uncles, [are here] I always love coming back to this area.
What club did you play for growing up?
Beach FC – they're still going strong!
On living in Boston and wanting to play for Boston WPS team – will it happen for sure?
I don't know for sure. Hopefully in the next couple of months we'll figure out which players are being allocated and which are being drafted. I'm looking forward to finding out where I'm going to be.
On scoring the winning goal last week against Australia in the final minute.
It was great. Everything just lined up perfectly. A great ball in from Abby perfectly flicked on. I was very fortunate to get that finish.Labels: Abby Wambach, Angela Hucles, Pia Sundhage, U.S. Women, WPS
From Head Coach Pia Sundhage
On the recent performance of Natasha Kai:
I have to say she's done an absolutely fantastic job. I wasn't happy when I saw her the first time. She was not focused. She was unfit, and I don't think she acted professionally. So I gave her feedback – is the look you want people to remind you. And she started to show up in practice and do in a good way and little by little. To me it was very important to give her feedback when she did something good. And she started to play some minutes and more and more and then the starting 11. She did a great job. My job is to give her support and give her feedback, and make her accountable for what she has to do. She didn't act professional in general, and that was bad.
Has she had the opportunity to review the youth development system in the US since arriving?
No. I've been here since December. So, I'm focused on the Olympics. I know there are many things going on. And if I survive the Olympics, I should be part of women's development. Right now, honestly I don't have time. I need to spend time with the game and with the players.
Does she think there should be a single national league for girls just like the USSF created for boys?
Well, I don't know. Because I don't have the bigger picture. But I do think it's important to ask the bigger question of what should there be on the women's side. Because if you look around the world right now. You look at Germany. I know what's happening in Germany – they have a program. – a developmental program. In Sweden they have an elite program, and I know what's happening in Norway. So we need in the US to find our way. And start to look at the situation and ask is this a good environment for a little girl or is a good environment for a 19 year old girls who is just very talented she can play in this team. I don't know the answer of course, but we have to ask the question and right now there's something going on so, but I'm not a part of that right now.
Have you noticed a big difference between how this team is playing now compared to under Ryan last year in the World Cup?
Yes. The reason I am here is the word “change”. I have European style and one word is “keep possession” and find right moment to penetrate to find that timing, and it's a change. But I can't do too much of a change that I confuse them, but I can't do too little either because no one would notice, so I try to do something between, and this game I think we are half way there we are doing a great job. Sometimes we play direct to Abby, and sometimes we keep possession and slow down the game a little bit.
How is to win like this without Abby scoring goals?
Yes, but still she scores, and that's a strength. Of course, she played 90 minutes and she a part of the attack of course, and if you ask Even Pellerud [the Canadian Coach], he will talk about Abby – what problems she creates. She didn't score goals, however we have other players stepping up and scoring goals, and that's a strength.
Abby Wambach
How does it feel to be back at RFK?
It's great. It feels like I'm back home. The fans are great. There were a lot of fans here and the crowd was rocking and when you score six goals, there's a lot to cheer about so it's a great game.
Did you feel you were back home all week, or just when you arrived here tonight?
Yeah, all week. It's crazy how driving all around DC I knew exactly where I was going. I haven't been back here in a couple years. It's special being here and I have a special place in my heart for the city of DC.
Despite your offer to let other players choose first, is Washington your first choice if you have a choice for a WPS team?
It makes sense, but I don't exactly know how the cookies are going to crumble. But I'm going to do the best that I can once the league starts to hopefully make it a success.
Is it exciting to see a lot of other players scoring goals?
You have no idea how relieving it is because it makes my job easier. We're scoring a lot of goals. It's making our attack and our playing more dangerous to other teams and it's a whole heck of a lot harder for us to be the tactically broken down.
Angela Hucles
On only player from this area – what is it like to be back here.
It's great. You can hear the fans that are excited to have us here. My parents, cousins, uncles, [are here] I always love coming back to this area.
What club did you play for growing up?
Beach FC – they're still going strong!
On living in Boston and wanting to play for Boston WPS team – will it happen for sure?
I don't know for sure. Hopefully in the next couple of months we'll figure out which players are being allocated and which are being drafted. I'm looking forward to finding out where I'm going to be.
On scoring the winning goal last week against Australia in the final minute.
It was great. Everything just lined up perfectly. A great ball in from Abby perfectly flicked on. I was very fortunate to get that finish.
Labels: Abby Wambach, Angela Hucles, Pia Sundhage, U.S. Women, WPS
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]