Pia Sundhage to Coach U.S. Women's Soccer Team

Pia Sundhage on Tuesday was named as the new official coach of the American women's national soccer team. The appointment of the 47 year old Swede is the first time that a foreigner has been given the position.

Despite her heritage, Sundhage's promotion has been warmly received by American women's soccer fans because of her all star history and exceptional sport legacy. For example, despite retiring almost 30 years ago, Sundhage still holds the record for top goal scorer in her native country for her national team, 71 goals scored in 146 matches!

Sundhage will now lead the US women's soccer team to the 2008 Bejing Olympics and take over coaching responsibilities almost immediately; starting at the Four Nations tournament in China in January where the American team are tipped for great success.

Sundhage replaces former coach Greg Ryan, who led the United States of America to a disappointing third place at the World Cup, after controversially switching goal-keepers during the match.

Since retiring from team play, Sundhage has coached as an assistant for the Philadelphia Charge in 2001 and 2002 and for the Boston Breakers, where she previously worked with current U.S. captain Kristine Lilly. Sundhage was awarded the coveted WUSA coach of the year award in 2003 after leading the Breakers to their first playoff appearance.

In 2000, she was voted sixth best in the FIFA Women's Player of the Century competition. Notably her fame is most prevalent in her native country, where her image appeared on Swedish postage stamps during the mid-1980s!

Sundhage becomes the sixth head coach in the U.S. women soccer team's history and the second woman. Fans will be hoping Sundhage can recreate the success of April Heinrichs, who led the squad from 2000-05 and guided the team to their first place win at the 2004 Olympics.

U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati has given a glowing report of the new coach, saying that: "Pia is a highly accomplished player and coach with the vision to guide our women's national team into this next phase. She brings a fresh perspective and a tremendous amount of experience to the job. She knows the international game and has a great track record of not only winning, but getting the most out of players and teams."

Hopes are certainly high for the enthusiastic and accomplished Swede, who looks very likely to do a great job with the team!