Philadelphia adds Swedish legend Sundhage Philadelphia Charge head coach Mark Krikorian rounded out his staff by naming legendary Swedish international Pia Sundhage and John Natale as his assistant coaches. Also joining the Charge is equipment manager Tony Leone. Sundhage, who played her first international match at the age of 15, made 146 appearances with the Swedish national team and scored 71 goals during her brilliant 21-year career (1975-96). She ranks in the top 10 in the world for career international caps and goals and helped Sweden finish third at the 1991 Women’s World Cup and first at the 1984 European Championship. During the 1990s, Sundhage began to combine playing and coaching, as she also served as coach of Sweden’s Under-16 Girl’s national team from 1990-96, leading them to two Nordic Cup titles. She retired from playing following the 1996 Olympics and was named head coach of Sweden’s Under-20 and Under-18 national team, which won a gold medal at the European Championship in 1999 and took the bronze in 1998 and 2000. Natale was an assistant under Krikorian at the University of Hartford Women in 2000. The Hawks went 17-4 this past season, including an 8-1 America East Conference record, and finished with 12 shutouts, which is one shy of the school record. Natale guided the Wethersfield High School boys soccer team to the 1999 Connecticut State Championship and was named the league coach of the year. He also coached the Oakwood Soccer Club’s premier team and played professionally for the Western Massachusetts Pioneers of the USISL. “I am thrilled to assemble such a quality staff and I look forward to coaching and working with these fine people,” said Krikorian, who was named head coach on Nov. 20. “Pia is well regarded around the world for having one of the best soccer minds, and her extensive playing and coaching background makes her a wonderful addition. John has been a successful coach at every level he’s been and will be a key contributor in the development of the Charge.” Leone, who will also assist the Charge coaching staff, comes to Philadelphia after two seasons as equipment manager for the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer. He played at the University of Hartford and graduated in 1996 before joining Krikorian’s staff as equipment manager for three years. Boston hires Wheddon away from Metros Boston hired former MetroStars goalkeeper coach Phil Wheddon as an assistant to head coach Jay Hoffman. Wheddon was appointed the MetroStars goalkeeper coach back on March 6, 2000. A native of Basingspoke, England, Wheddon had previously served as the goalkeeper coach for the U.S. women’s national team at Australia Cup 2000, and was also an assistant/goalkeeper coach at Men’s NCAA Division II power Southern Connecticut State, where he helped guide the Owls to a perfect (20-0-0) season and a second consecutive national title in 1999. CyberRays nearly double staff The Bay Area CyberRays completed its front-office staff, hiring six people to give the club 14 full-time employees. The only remaining full-time staff positions to be filled are assistant coaches to head coach Ian Sawyers. An additional 10 positions at the intern level will be filled between now and the opening of the season April 14. The new CyberRays staffers are: director of personnel Christine Eustice, press manager Karen D. Baker, operations manager Dainis Kalnins, corporate sponsorship manager Leonard Lun, marketing manager Gail Osborne and athletic trainer Heidi Peterson. Kalnins joins the CyberRays after working for U.S. Soccer and with the U.S. women. He served as the equipment coordinator for the national team at the 2000 WomenÆs Gold Cup and at the 1999 WomenÆs World Cup.