Pia Sundhage

You’ve been working the team pretty hard for the last four months. Do you think this is a better team than the one that lost to Brazil in the semi-finals of the World Cup?

It’s a different team, that’s for sure. They embraced the different coaching style and the different way of attack, so I’m happy about that. If I compare the first game against Canada in January, when we went to China and the game against Canada in a big game in qualification, there is a big difference. We will show the players actually and get them to look at what happened because I can really feel it and I watch the video so much and I think the players should be able to see that: “Oh great, we keep possession a little bit more, we’re more effective and so on.”

On a scale of one to ten how close would you say the team is to being fully integrated into your system and comfortable with how you want them to play?

I would say a seven. Six or seven. We have a little bit more to go. Still, we rush certain things going forward, especially when we are under a little bit of pressure — you go back to whatever you did years ago, in the past. When we are comfortable and get connected, then we play very nice. We don’t do that yet for 90 minutes. We do that for part of the game.

Would you say that so far you are pleased with your preparations for the Olympics?

It has been great. Every game is important for us. We treat every game a little bit different. We try different players, players coming off the bench, which is important, so they actually get a chance to make the difference when they come into the game. For example, against Canada in qualifying, Angela Hucles made the difference, which is important because we need every single player. Everybody needs experience and it’s one thing to work in practice and it’s a little bit different going into the game. That’s why I want to play different goalkeepers first of all and we want to play players coming off the bench in different ways. We have also changed the formations from 4-4-2 in different shapes because we know we can play 4-3-3. The players seem to be comfortable to play different systems, which is important at a high international level.

Let’s talk about some individual players. In the Algarve, we talked about Cat Whitehill and how you were pushing to get more from her. How’s that going?

Very well. It has been fantastic. From January to today, we do the yo-yo test and she passed the test. She put in a lot of extra work going out early in the morning to work with Helena Andersson, the fitness coach. I’m so happy that she did it. I think she’s a better soccer player because she can keep up for 90 minutes. There is still a bit of way to go but I am very happy with the way that she responded to that kind of coaching.

How about Natasha Kai?

If you talk about Cat, you see the same change with Natasha Kai. I have to say I was disappointed but she turned that around in a very nice way. The way she played in Algarve ­— she scored some goals. If you look at her you’re happy because of her presence in the attack, in the box and you can see that she loves to play as well. That is a very important quality. It’s not just going out there and doing a job. She wants to play, so she shows up in practice and tries her very best and she needs to do that, everybody has to do that. What I saw the first time in January I thought, ‘She won’t do it. Not a chance.’ I gave her feedback, all the coaching staff gave her feedback and it takes a while to turn that around which she did and that is very, very important.

Aly Wagner is out here but not working with the team. Has she been able to do much?

A little bit. She was injured for a while so we just wait and see. Of course, there is only a small amount of time now. I don’t know. It is good to have her here again and see her play because she is a good soccer player. But, going to the Olympics with 18 players — they have to be fit and they have to be healthy, 100%.

And Tobin Heath?

She is different and she will be very important in the future of this national team. She has certain qualities going 1 v 1 and mixing it up and you can see that she loves the game. She is passionate and for her, it seems at least, practice or game — she loves it and she wants to be out there. That’s quality because if you love the game, you will improve your game. I’m looking forward to seeing her in games, but more so in the future.

The mandate you’ve been given with the short contract is to win the Olympics or at least show very well to keep your job. With that in mind, can you really think much about developing for the future?

Especially with some of the things we do on the field, I get caught up thinking, ‘Can you imagine having her in the same position, in the same situation for another two years?’ but I have to stay focused, of course. All of us take one game at a time. We want to be prepared for the Olympics and then I don’t know if I have a job or not, but regardless they can’t take away the feeling that I have right now because I am the lucky one. I am standing in front of so many good players and a team that wants to get that gold medal. If we get it or we don’t, I have a great feeling and I enjoy every single minute of it.

If you could pick three international players to compliment your team, whom would you pick?

Marta (Brazil), Kelly Smith (England) and Victoria Svensson (Sweden).

Does WPS launching next year hurt or help your job as National Team coach?

Excellent. It will be wonderful for the women’s game, not only in the U.S., but also the world. I was brought up with club system in Sweden and you get games because if you want to improve your game you have to play games. The good part is that they have a club coach and a national coach. You get coached in different ways and you have to adapt and I think that’s good for them.

You’ve been known to serenade your team. Have you picked out a song to perform prior to an Olympic final?

Nope, it will come to me.

What if they win?

There will be some songs in my head. (Laughs.) I am sure about that!