USWNT: High Expectations for New Coach

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(Chicago, IL) November 1, 2012-U.S. Soccer held their word of announcing the new coach of the U.S. Women's National team before the end of October, setting in place Tom Sermanni with two days to spare. Taking over the number one ranked team in the world after the departure of Pia Sundhage just last month, Sermanni has inherited one of the most coveted coaching jobs in the world.

Sermanni, 58 years old and originally from Scotland beat out approximately thirty other applicants and will start in his new position on the first of January.

“After an extensive search and interview process, we believe Tom Sermanni is the right person at the right time to lead our Women’s National Team,” said Sunil Gulati, president of U.S. Soccer. “He has the knowledge, experience and vision to take on the challenge of keeping our team at the top of the world. He has a tremendous passion for the game, knows the American players, understands our system and knows the process of preparing a team for a World Cup tournament. We’re tremendously excited to have him on board as we look forward to qualification for the 2015 Women’s World Cup.”

Sermanni had an up close look at the U.S. Women in September when the Australian Women's National Team took part in a two game friendly with the U.S. as a part of the American's fan tribute victory tour. Sermanni had two separate stints as the coach of the Australian team The Matildas, totaling eleven years at the helm and led them to three appearances in the FIFA Women's World Cup. During his last eight years with the team he has led the Australian women to their current ranking of 9th in the world.

Sermanni has big shoes to fill after a near perfect tenure under Sundhage. She left after five years with the team and a record of 91-6-10. During that time she led the American ladies to two Olympic gold medals and nearly added the World Cup title to her resume but for their gut wrenching loss to Japan last summer.

Though no major soccer tournaments sit in the near future for the U.S. Women, the urgency U.S. Soccer felt to fill Sundhage's position points directly to their desire to keep the team at the highest level. The U.S. Women haven't lost the number one ranking since 2008 so expectations will be high for Sermanni to not only continue to lead the team to championships but also to develop the younger talent that Sundhage had been criticized for often ignoring. 

Sermanni will have a lot to address as he takes over the team in just a few months. Some of the national team's most popular players are possibly nearing the end of their careers and it will be on Sermanni's shoulders to ensure that this team has the depth that it needs to win not only in 2015 at the next World Cup, but also well beyond. To add depth to the team Sermanni will have to decide whom on the current team he may need to part with. 

Players nearing the end of their careers are Captain Christie Rampone at 37 years of age and Shannon Boxx, 35. Both players not only have been exceptional players but also leaders during their time playing for the American team. Rampone initially planned on retiring after this past summer's Olympic games but during the current victory tour has expressed the desire to stay on and continue playing for the national team. Boxx although she hasn't shared when she plans on retiring does battle with lupus, an autoimmune disease that leaves her often times very fatigued. Both however have been playing at one of the highest levels of their careers and it is hard to imagine that they would willingly walk away in the near future. 

Abby Wambach who is zoning in on Mia Hamm's record for most goals scored is now only ten behind the all time leader with 148. Wambach is 32 years old and has successfully overcome what could have been a career ending Achilles injury this past year. For now her eyes are set squarely on Canada in 2015 but only time will tell if the rest of her body will cooperate. 

There is also the tricky reworking of the defense that should be on Sermanni's initial to-do list. It has been a weak link for the American's as the back line has fallen apart at inopportune times. Ali Krieger who was dearly missed at the Olympics due to an ACL injury last January should be back in 2013 as she has already resumed play with her German squad. Though there is endless talent on the back line with Kelley O'Hara, Amy LePeilbet, Rachel Buehler, Becky Sauerbrunn, Heather Mitts and Rampone, the key for Sermanni is to find the right combination. 

Sermanni will also be tasked with trying to utilize players that Sundhage couldn't always find room for. The extremely talented Amy Rodriguez saw more of the bench under Sundhage than the field. Veteran player Heather O'Reilly lost her starting midfield position as Tobin Heath and Megan Rapinoe filled the outside midfield spots under Sundhage.  And while the young Alex Morgan has found a way into the starting line-up, Sydney Leroux has now earned the spot of "super sub" as she has shown in her limited playing time that she too can be a goal-scoring machine.  

The next few months the team will remain under the veteran eye of Jill Ellis as she will continue as interim head coach throughout the remainder of the victory tour. Two games are set to be played against Ireland on November 28 and December 1. Three more games to wrap up the tour should be announced shortly with China being the rumored opponent. 

U.S. Soccer has also promised within the next week or two to release further information regarding the development of a women's professional league.

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