I had the opportunity to speak with the breakout star of these Olympics, Angela Hucles, very early this morning (for me) while she was munching on McDonalds' french fries in the Olympic Village. I also spoke with Carli Lloyd, but you will have to wait until tomorrow for that one as it is almost 3 am and I can not be trusted to transcribe another interview without some sleep!

How does it feel being the United State’s leading scorer going into the Gold Medal match of the Olympics?

It feels great. I’ve been in a position where I can score some goals. Obviously that’s part of my responsibility as a forward and I’m just happy I can contribute in that way.

Which of your four Olympic goals is most memorable?

Having an Olympic goal is pretty incredible in and of itself. Coming from not scoring a whole lot to scoring in the Olympics … I like all of them.

You’ve been around for along time. You’ve made two World Cup teams, but didn’t get the opportunity to play. You won an Olympic Gold Medal in 2004, but saw limited minutes as a sub. Here we are in 2008, going into the Gold Medal match and you’ve played every minute and are the team’s leading scorer. Talk about that journey.

It’s been a journey, for sure. It’s been nice for me to be able to see both sides, all aspects of playing different roles for the team, coming off the bench, being a sub, maybe not playing and just rooting my teammates on. Obviously, it hasn’t all been easy but being able to actually play in the Olympics is something that I’ve always wanted to do. Part of that I have control over and part I don’t. For me to be able to compete in an Olympic game is an honor.

I’m just excited. We’re getting better in every single game that we’re playing. I think there have been some skeptics out there and it’s nice to win. Being in a Gold Medal game is only going to help the program and help get more soccer fans for our country and all over

For you personally, having been in the mix, but more on the fringe, did you see this coming for you?

Definitely not at all. I think what has helped me is that I’ve always had certain goals in mind for myself. I’ve tried to do the right things regardless of the situation. Fortunately, I’ve had Pia’s support this year with playing. It’s very helpful to have that kind of support from your head coach, I just tried to do the things I could do on my end to put myself in a position whenever I had that opportunity and that chance, I was going to be ready for it.

Talk about the tournament. The team got off to a rough start against Norway but has really been building and getting better each match.

Maybe that first game was the best thing that could have happened to us. It was a situation where we had enough time to rebound from the loss and put ourselves on the right track. I think we were able to learn a lot from that game as well as the other games and continue to build on how we’ve been playing. We’ve just been getting stronger throughout it and building more confidence and getting comfortable, all of us playing in a slightly different formation with different personnel. We’re continuing to get better and better and we’re peaking at the right time. We’re coming together at the right time instead of being burned out and losing it at the end. Even thought it was a rough start, it was probably the best thing that could have happened to us.

What are your thoughts on Brazil and the Gold Medal match on Thursday?

We’re excited. I’m personally excited. We expect a really tough, tough game, but I think we’re all prepared for that. We’re focusing on ourselves and what we can do well. When we do that, we have fun out there and that’s when we really play well.

After touring around China for the first four matches, you finally made it to the Olympic Village. What has that been like?

It’s great. I’m having my McDonalds right now. For me, one of the greatest parts of being part of the Olympics is you get to see so many different athletes from different countries. I love seeing the diversity around here and the different clothing and just being a part of the Olympic experience. We have different USA athletes coming up to us and out to the games and supporting us and we’re doing the same for them. That’s something that is very inspirational when you’re in an event like this.

* Image by Brad Smith/isiphotos.com

The player’s aren’t the only ones exhausted after a grueling 2-1-overtime victory for the United States over Canada in their Olympic Quarterfinal. Those of us who saw it through from the 6:00 am kickoff, the weather delay, full time and two overtimes, four plus hours worth in all, deserve at least a nap. That includes U.S. coach, Pia Sundhage.

“I feel like I am a player. I am exhausted and happy,” she said.

The match started on time in a heavy downpour reminiscent of the United State’s World Cup match against Nigeria in the middle of Typhoon Wipha. The match was halted in the 21st minute due to lightening, but not before Angela Hucles got the U.S. on the board in the 12th minute.

The break was fortuitous for the Canadians. The U.S. clearly had them on their heels and were playing some of the best soccer we’ve seen from them all tournament. The 139-minute stoppage killed the American’s momentum and allowed Canada time to regroup after a shaky start.

Canada didn’t waste any time after the match resumed. Christine Sinclair capitalized on a casual U.S. throw in, launching a rocket past an outstretched Hope Solo in the 30th minute.

Canada’s coach, Even Pellerud was forced to make an early sub, replacing goalkeeper Erin McLeod with Karina LeBlanc after McLeod was injured attempting to defend Hucles’ goal. LeBlanc played an outstanding match and kept Canada in it into the first overtime when Natasha Kai connected with a beautiful ball from Shannon Boxx for the game-winning header in the 102nd minute.

In what in hindsight appears to be a brilliant move, Sundhage waited until the beginning of the first overtime to sub Kai in for Amy Rodriguez. A fresh Kai was able to run circles around a clearly gassed Canadian side.

“I thought we did well at forward with A-Rod because of her speed and with Angela Hucles,” explained Sundhage. “We switched Carli Lloyd to a more attacking role in hopes that she would get some more shots. With all due respect for Canada, which is a good team, we were thinking about extra time and that 30 minutes. We got 30 minutes out of Tash so I thought that was good timing.”

The U.S. could have managed the waning minutes better. Instead of settling for possession and killing time, they pressed for a third goal, which made the last few minutes a bit nerve wracking for the fans.

The match marked an outstanding effort by U.S. midfielder Shannon Boxx, who was justly named Sierra Mist Player of the Match. Boxx also happened to be celebrating her 100th cap. Lori Chalupny was dangerous and never gave up on any ball despite taking quite a beating from Kara Lang and company. Christie Rampone and Kate Markgraf held the U.S. backline together well to contain Canada. Really, the match was a great team effort.

The U.S. enters their semi-final with Japan spreading the goals around. Angela Hucles is the leading scorer with two.

“The cool thing about this Olympics so far is that we’ve had so many different goal scorers,” said Heather O’Reilly after the match. “I think that is what’s making us special right now. We’ve had six different goal scorers for seven goals, so that’s a pretty cool stat and that’s what’s making us so unpredictable.”

The U.S. has managed this tournament well, getting better every match, a trend they hope continues through to the gold medal.

* Photo of U.S. goal scorer, Angela Hucles, by Brad Smith/isiphotos.com

I had a chance to speak with new U.S. Women’s National Team head coach, Pia Sundhage, between matches at the semis of the 2007 NCAA Women’s College Cup last night. I found her to be a warm and candid interview. She hedged on a few things, mostly regarding details of how her coaching staff is shaping up, but was generally forthcoming. I’ll post the interview in Q&A format next week after I get back from College Station, but here are a few tidbits to chew on until then.

As to the mini-camp roster and the World Cup players that aren’t on it:

• Stephanie Lopez is getting married next week. (As a side note, Lindsay Tarpley is also getting married next week, but will participate in some of the camp.)
• Angela Hucles is on a humanitarian aid trip in Africa and will miss the mini-camp with Pia’s blessing.
• Pia joked that Kristine Lilly was old and needed the extra rest. She expects her in the January camp regardless of her plans for 2008. She “absolutely” wants Lilly on this team.
• Marci Jobson has taken the head-coaching job at Baylor University and has officially retired. I am scheduled to talk with her later today.
• Tina Ellerston is expecting her second child. She has not retired and will attempt to come back after her child is born.

Sundhage indicated that we could see a few personnel changes from the Word Cup roster, but that there is not time for a complete overhaul.

Her perspective on the team’s play in the World Cup was that the attack was too direct and one-dimensional. She said there was discussion amongst the international coaches that shutting down Wambach would neutralize the U.S..

Greg Ryan has been very helpful in the transition and has provided insight into the player’s she has inherited. She is getting input from others more familiar with the college ranks and youth players as to who deserves a look.

That’s all for now. Check back next week for the full transcript.