Sundhage goes out with big win
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Sep 20, 2012
[USA-AUSTRALIA] In a fitting end to Pia Sundhage's reign as national team coach, the U.S. women pounded Australia, 6-2,
in front of a sell-out crowd of 18,589 fans at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Sundhage completed her five years with the U.S. women with a 91-6-10 record that included two Olympic gold medals and a
second-place finish at the 2011 Women's World Cup. Wednesday's win improved the USA's record to 23-1-1 in 2012.
"I think I'm a better coach after having been here for five years coaching
on the highest level, in three finals and making all kinds of decisions with the team," said Sundhage. "I'm very grateful and very happy for the team. It's the best team in the world."
Alex Morgan had two goals and Abby Wambach scored the game-winner as the USA scored four second-half goals to beat the
Matildas for its 14th consecutive victory dating back to early April.
The USA outshot Australia, 22-3, but fell behind, 2-1 in the first half when Lisa de
Vanna and Sarah Walsh scored two minutes apart.
Sept. 19 in Commerce City, Colo.
USA 6 Australia 2. Goals: O'Reilly 25, Morgan 43, 63, Wambach 53, Boxx 69, Leroux 82; de Vanna 32, Walsh 34.
USA --
Solo; LePeilbet (Mitts, 46), Rampone, Buehler, O'Hara (Sauerbrunn, 46); O'Reilly (Rapinoe, 46), Cheney (Boxx, 46), Lloyd, Heath (Rodriguez, 62); Morgan (Leroux, 74), Wambach
Australia -- Davey; Catley, Brogan, Uzunlar, Foord; Polkinghorne (Kennedy, 74), McCallum (van Egmond, 61), Simon (Heyman, 76), Allen (Gill, 86); Walsh (Brown, 57), de
Vanna.
Referee: Kristin Schiereck (USA).
Att.: 18,589.
Pia. I have always thought you to be an elegant and distinguished individual. The way you handle yourself on the sidelines. The comfort you have given to a very special person in my life, Corinne Briers. I know the readers do not know who I am talking about but if you read this, you will know. You have done a magnificient job with the women's national team. Tremendous accomplishments. There are very few coaches, men or women on my list of "Futebol Generals" and you are one of them. Thank you for your incredible contribution to humanity. Soccer, futebol, football, futbol after all is life out in the open for all to see. You have done us proud and may the force and good wishes always follow you. RICK FIGUEIREDO from Newbury Park, California.
I couldn't have said it better myself, Rick. Thank you so much, Pia! A class act.