In Defense of Pia

Emotions are an integral component of fan reactions towards certain players or coaches.  Fervent fans will adore their players and coaches, crafting idolized monuments and sculptures—scripting songs of their heroes while the antagonist’s fury leads them to thunderous outcries and in the most severe cases, foolish riots. For Women’s Soccer, fanaticism has reached its highest level. With the influx of social media, dutiful supporters can scrutinize and follow the US Women’s National team with an instant gratification of news, live feeds, and personal commentary in many languages. 

How thankful is Greg Ryan that social media was not at an apex during the 1997 World Cup? How would fans/social media have instantly reacted to this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVTxXSqX8cg

Like most fans, I want the Solo/Scurry controversy to fade away into the pages of the archives of soccer history. However, as many release their wrath on Pia Sundhage—the words of Julie Foudy from this pregame interview resonate within my brain. “You want to go in focusing only on positives.” 

Pia Sundhage is a positive coach. 

How many coaches can participate musically on open mic night along side of one of their players?

Positive.

Many were angered by the US scoring 14 goals on the Dominican Republic. 

  Excessive. 

Many were angered when Pia celebrated at least 4 out of 5 of Amy Rodriguez’s goals.

Classless.

I took a different perspective on Pia celebrating Rodriguez’s goals.  Rewind to the post 2011 World Cup rant by Rodriguez’s WPS coach, Paul Riley. “I think Pia’s destroyed her, absolutely destroyed her. She hurt her in the World Cup by pulling her out of the game I thought she was playing well in.” (From Phillysoccernews.com) 

There is nothing novel about club coaches vilifying national team coaches—even in the women’s game. (Bernd Schroeder’s (Turbine Potsdam) rants about Silvia Neid (Germany) have become almost legendary—yet I have yet to see Silvia Neid celebrate with high fiving her coaching staff whenever one of Schroeder’s players scores)

Pia’s reaction to Amy Rodriguez’s goals seemed genuine. Rodriguez’s fourth goal was a marvelous goal that warranted a positive reaction.  One can argue that Rodriguez should have never been allowed to score goals 4-5. Goal number 4 came at just the 69^th minute. Personally, it was refreshing to see Rodriguez score several times and only sailing the ball over the goal once. (Watch the top goals here)  

If Amy Rodriguez continues to perform well, score goals, and becomes a superstar within the next few months, will the USA media create a Pia/Amy story as they did previously with Hope Solo? Most likely--they will. 

Pia has gone from being the villain who “destroyed” Rodriguez to the villain who high fives and celebrates when Rodriguez scores. 

What would we be saying if she did not?

Criticisms towards coaches and players are a necessary aspect of the game.  Pia is a professional. The players are professionals. There should be an unbiased critiqued on tactics and technical skills.  Yet, we need to consistent with our criticisms. 

The US hired Pia Sundhage because they wanted a successful and positive coach. The team seemed to be divided. Pia needed to refurbish a broken team in a time where the US was no longer the dominate force in Women’s soccer. Under Sundhage, the US has won the 2008 Olympics and was the runner up in the 2011 World Cup.  For those who argue that the US needs to have better results—perhaps they better keep in mind as to the recent lack of success from former soccer powerhouses such as Norway and China. Criticize Pia's tactics. The technical ability of players (or lack of) should be held accountable at the youth and developmental level.  Criticize Pia on player selection and playing time. Do not criticize her because she was supporting her players or embracing raw emotion on seeing a player who has struggled succeed.

 

Final note: Postgame comments by Wambach and Pia were criticized by many. The USSF responded by not posting their post-match comments on their website as had been the tradition in the past.