No one is a more interested WPS spectator than U.S. National team head coach Pia Sundhage.  Soccer365's Lars Lifrak caught up with her at a recent game to discuss the league, it's impact on the sport worldwide and the recent Abby Wambach/Daniela controversy.

by Lars Lifrak

365:  What are your thoughts on the WPS so far?
Pia Sundhage:  I think the games are getting better and better, which is logical as each coach has more time with their teams.  I think some of the foreign players such as Kelly Smith, Marta, Sonia Bompastor, among others have done very well and I think it’s good for the league to have several players who stand out.  Hopefully we’ll have four or five American players who perform very well and catch your eye.

365:  How much of each game are you watching?  Every game isn’t on television so it’s not that easy to see everything going on.
PS:  What I do is, my assistant coach and I go to a game every weekend so we can see games live which is a huge advantage.  We also watch television and we get the games on DVD from the clubs.  That way we have a fairly good idea of what kind of performances are out there.

365:  How good does a player have to be performing before you will notice her and then let her know she is on your radar screen?
PS:  It’s not enough just to play one good game, you have to perform on a consistent basis and to adjust your game.  If you are a certain player and you have a good game and the next game is different and you can adjust your game and still be successful, then that’s interesting to me.  As you know we have twenty-one contracted players with US Soccer.  That’s a lot to look at first of all.  For them it’s ok if they have a bad game, it’s not like if they have one bad game we’ll release them from their contract.  You have to look at the big picture.  At the end of the day all of the good players will be called up for the national team and hopefully we can find a good core of players.

365:  Of course the US Soccer team will benefit from this league, but with so many foreign players in prominent rolls, does women’s soccer around the world benefit?
PS:  Absolutely.  The fact that you have different cultures, instead of only American or Brazilian players means you mix soccer cultures.  If you look at the men’s side, Chelsea or Barcelona, you are mixing different cultures and you try to bring out the best of each culture and you have to adjust your game.  Soccer is a player’s game and the fact that sometimes… for instance Christie Rampone, she has to deal with Marta one game and Abby Wambach another, they are different players and that’s a good way for her to improve her own game.

365:  Finally your thoughts on the recent Abby Wambach/Daniela situation?
PS:  Well, I was at that game.  Honestly it was a very physical game and I don’t think Abby would ever try to hurt someone.  Never ever.  Up to then I thought she did a good job despite the fact they were being very physical with her.  Still she didn’t loose her temper.  If you look at the replay, (Abby) really tried to slide tackle and get the ball, but Daniela was too good and she moved the ball.  But it was a tough game for Abby and I was actually happy with the way she handled things, because I didn’t see her yell at the referee or other players, she kept her temper.  That’s a good thing because that’s the way she’ll be treated when we play Japan, Canada, Germany in the World Cup.

365:  Now Washington will play St. Louis only a few times but there are Brazilian players all through the WPS.  Do you think there’s any chance at retribution by a player who might not even be on the St. Louis roster?
PS:  What do you mean?

365:  Well, say Formiga is on FC Gold Pride, maybe she’s upset that Daniela is now out for a long time from her national team.
PS:  Soccer is much more than that.  This league is a dream come true and I don’t think the players would do something like that for a country mate because they respect the game.  At this level everyone respects the game otherwise they wouldn’t handle the situation well.  So, no way.

365:  Alright.  Thank you for the time.
PS:  Thank you.

Visit the World Soccer Shop to buy official soccer jerseys and other gear of Women’s Professional Soccer.  Get in the Gear. Go out to the Games!

Additional WPS Exclusives
Milbrett Passes Experience to Next Generation
Solo Confident WPS is 'Here to Stay'