April Heinrichs coached the U.S. women’s national team to two wins, two ties and one loss on its trip to Germany and Norway, the last games before she’ll cut her roster to 18 players for the Olympics.

SOCCER AMERICA: What was the atmosphere like in Norway, especially for the second game?

APRIL HEINRICHS: The first game was in a small stadium, very intimate, quintessential Norway, European stadium, no-scoreboard type of place. It was in a small town. The crowd was respectful of both teams and clearly cheering for Norway, but appreciative of good soccer. A very sophisticated crowd. I enjoyed that.

The second game was in Oslo, in their national stadium. It was a very loud crowd and very much in support of Norway, to the point where – there were only a couple games this year – players can’t hear each other on the field and coaches can’t yell instructions to players from the bench. Those are the games I like the most. Those are always fun.

SA: You said it was the most “unfriendly” crowd your team had played in front of all year.

AH: It’s wonderful. One of the things I wish we could have more games where there was cheering for the opponent. I can’t remember where I read it or heard it, but ’96 and ’99 were just waves and waves of support for the women’s team. That’s not what’s going to happen in Sydney.

SA: How often do you play in front of crowds that don’t cheer for you?

AH: Since I’ve been coach, the first time was, noticeably, Australia in Australia. There were 6,000-7,000 in a small stadium, quite loud, and then this game against Norway was very boisterous. There were other games, our first game against Norway in Norway, but you could hear yourself think.

It also happened in the DFB Jubilee tournament, when we played Germany. When Germany did well, the crowd got into it.

SA: What was the overall atmosphere like in Germany?

AH: Small crowds, still very appreciative but quite loud. The WUSA league would be well served to see these stadiums. They’re built close to the field, are small, enclosed. The average size is 15,000, but they are very loud with 6,000 people.

SA: Were you surprised Germany finished last in its own tournament?

AH: Given how good they are after we played them, yes. One of the things I told my team after the DFB tournament was, “If this were the opening round of the Olympics, we’d be advancing with seven points. Norway would advance with six points and China’s going home.” What was also amazing is that Germany lost every game, but look at how good they are. They are an outstanding team. That shows the margin between the best teams in the world continues to be paper thin.


Akers: ‘Playing with a whole lot of pain’

SA: How did Michelle Akers, who’s coming off a shoulder injury, do in her three games?

AH: She did well. For Michelle, she’s a hard worker. She is a world-class player, and also a world-class rehabber. She knows her body well and how to push it. I know she’s playing with pain. She won’t tell anyone. I think she is playing with a whole lot of pain in her shoulder. But every time she steps out on the field, we see a stronger and stronger Michelle.

SA: How did Briana Scurry, who’s coming off shin splints, do in her one game?

AH: She did well. I was pleased with her ability to play at a high, international level right away. She made a very nice save. She’s learning how to play higher [off her goal line] in our system.

SA: Carla Overbeck didn’t play at all. What’s her status?

AH: She’s getting there. I think Carla has understood her knee. She understood the rehab has been very long and very difficult for her. We really felt she could have played in maybe the last game. It wasn’t beneficial for her to come into a game like that. We have to build her confidence and play her in 20-, 30-, 25-minute stints, much like we did with Michelle. You can put a forward in a game and no problem, but you just don’t make changes in defense. We suspect we’ll play her in the next three games for sure.

SA: Do you expect Kate Sobrero, who suffered a concussion against Germany, back for the Aug. 13 friendly against Russia?

AH: Yes.


Fawcett: ‘the main staple in the back’

SA: Who stood out on the European trip?

AH: Julie Foudy is playing the best soccer of her career. She’s playing very simply, playing the little ball. We call it “loving the little ball.” She’s controlling the tempo of the game, in a holding central midfield position, if you will.

Joy Fawcett played in all five games, probably every minute of all five games. Joy Fawcett is the most consistent human being on our team. Every minute she’s committed to playing. If we had 11 players like Joy Fawcett, we’d be a better team. She is the main staple in the back.

Christie Pearce continues to improve. She has great confidence and composure. She also emerging as one of the best defenders.

Prior to Kate getting knocked out, Kate had been marvelous for us in the first two games. Her recoverability is world class. We constantly see her covering up for other players’ mistakes.

Nikki Serlenga continues to emerge as a young player. The press release didn’t do her goal justice in the first Norway game. It was nothing close to being an own goal. The ball pops up to the top of box. She crushes this volley, about an inch off the ground. It hit the defender covering the far post, and then bounced back and hit the goalkeeper and ricocheted in. This ball just ricocheted in like if it hit both posts. Pound for pound, she hits the ball better than any female player I’ve ever seen. She’s playing very, very well.

Danielle Slaton was one of the top two or three players on the field for us in the second Norway game. She matched up against Dagny Mellgren, who’s scored a couple of goals against us. Danielle battled in the air, on the ground, ran forward, recovered. She’s playing a very, very complete game.

SA: Your team scored five goals in five games. You obviously had tough competition, but you also have amazing goalscorers like Mia Hamm, Tiffeny Milbrett, Shannon MacMillan, etc. Aren’t you concerned by the lack of finishing?

AH: In some ways, it’s wonderful and exciting we scored five goals in five games and were able to come away with the results we had. We’re spoiled with the women’s national team. We talked about it in the Gold Cup. It’s not natural to be scoring eight goals a game. It wasn’t the way the game was supposed to be played. If the score is 0-0, does it mean we’re not playing well? No.


by Soccer America associate editor Dean Caparaz