U.S. deflects controversy after barbs from Swedish coach

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/06/2015 (4082 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As three members of the American women’s national soccer team took to the podium Wednesday prior to their scheduled practice, it was almost as if it was planned to have two defenders flanking coach Jill Ellis.

It wasn’t because of their play at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Monday night. A 3-1 win was convincing enough, even if the team was shaky in the first half. And it wasn’t to answer another barrage of questions about goalkeeper Hope Solo’s personal life and the distraction it may or may not have become.

No. On Wednesday, the team was busy trying to deflect a new controversy — one created by their former field general and now-Swedish head coach Pia Sundhage.

Sundhage tore into three of her former players Tuesday in a report published by the New York Times. In it, Sundhage referred to Solo as one of the most challenging people she has ever had to work with and said team captain Carli Lloyd was a challenge to coach. She also said, if still at the helm of the American team, she would relegate the U.S.’s all-time leading goal scorer Abby Wambach to the bench.

Shots fired, as it were.

But the Americans weren’t having any of it. And while the metaphor of having two defenders behind the mics may have been near perfect, all the focus was centred on the game with Sweden come Friday and not at launching an offensive back in Sundhage’s direction unless it’s on the pitch.

“All I do is focus on my players, my team and our preparation, and that is really where I think my mind is at,” Ellis said. “I think I’ve made it pretty clear that distractions don’t creep into my mind when I am preparing my players and my team.

“It isn’t something we’ve talked about as a team. I just think we are an incredibly professional group and the only focus for us is three points and our preparation to try and advance.”

Ellis served as an assistant coach most recently under Sundhage before the latter’s departure in 2012. And Ellis was in no mood to take a snipe at her former colleague.

“Pia’s been great,” Ellis said. “She’s great to work with, great to work for — I enjoyed my time with her.”

As to whether Sundhage’s comments are extra locker-room fodder for motivation, defender Lori Chalupny offered up a half-hearted chuckle to the notion.

“I think when you’re in a World Cup there’s no extra motivation needed,” she said.

Meanwhile, Investors Group Field’s turf was once again a hot topic Wednesday.

Complaints emanating out of other venues hosting games suggest that the artificial turf in those facilities is becoming quite hot during the daytime matches. And while Ellis wasn’t complaining about it publicly, she has asked FIFA to look into “lubricating” the field more often.

“It’s the same for everybody,” Ellis said. “I think the surface, if it is watered, allows you to play more quickly. But I think in terms of the quality of some of the play, I don’t think it has affected the quality of the teams that are here, the players that are here, and some of the things that they can do.”

Looking forward to Friday, having two defenders at the podium also served as a time for them to reflect on Monday’s win and where they can improve at the week’s end.

“Rule No. 1 for us as a back line is to not give up a goal, so that’s an easy one — look at our mistakes in that scenario,” Julie Johnston said. “The next one is just to play the way that we play. Second game in, it’s time for us to settle down and continue to grow as each game goes as we want to play as many games as possible.”

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca