Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Checking in With Coach Wheddon: US Defeats Sweden
3/2/2013 10:43:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Syracuse head women's soccer coach Phil Wheddon is serving as an assistant coach for both the United States' Under-23 and Under-20 women's soccer national teams for the Four Nations Competitions being held in La Manga, Spain. Today he discusses the U.S.'s showdown with Sweden.
Ahh, so this is why people come to Spain! It was beautiful today - nice and sunny with mild wind and a perfect day for a game. The day started in usual fashion: 102 steps up to the dining hall for breakfast, 102 steps down. After a brief chat about the day's events with the staff I decided I would walk to the soccer complex to scout the England game instead of getting a ride. It was such a nice day I decided that I would leave a little early and meet the other coaches at the fields. That's another way of saying that I was going to the "Si Cafe" on the way to the first game (England vs Norway) lol. After plugging in the headphones and walking down the the cafe, I was greeted by Jackie, yes I am on a first name basis with the owner of the cafe. I decided to go for a different coffee drink, I don't really know what it was called but it was very good and helped to wash down the flapjack (dessert) that was crying out to me from beyond the counter.
Goodies in hand, I made my way to the complex to watch England vs Norway. England won 1-0 on an own goal from the Norwegian center back but it really should have been a more convincing win. England played very well and is a dynamic team. We will have to play well to beat them.
After their game ended, the U.S. team arrived and we started warming up. Again the team was well prepared. Coach Waldrum gave the team a few reminders and they took the field. Well, the reminders obviously worked as we scored from a corner kick within the first two minutes. Sweden put us under some pressure at times and forced a fine save from U.S. goalkeeper Abby Smith. However we dominated play and went into halftime with a 4-0 lead. Three of those goals came from set pieces which was awesome. At half time Coach Waldrum and assistant coach Michelle Demko gave the team some observations and the players took the field for the second half.
Two more goals followed and the game ended in a 6-0 win. It was amazing to watch such a convincing win at the international level, especially against such a well-respected footballing nation. U.S .technical director April Heinrichs was on hand to witness the game and was thrilled by the result. Today also saw the arrival of the US U20 WNT (minus 34 pieces of luggage). The team watched our game and then did a light jog to get some of the travel out of their legs. Tomorrow will be an interesting day for me personally as I am doing double duty, working with both teams, so the U23's have training at 10:30 a.m., the U20's at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. and then the U23's have a team meeting and preparation for England at 7 p.m. Busy day but what a great experience to be working with such great coaches and some of the best players in the USA.
I have to sign off now as it's almost midnight here and I have to finish the video for tomorrow.
The SU women are in warm ups RIGHT NOW as they prepare to play Buffalo in Manley Arena. I know I say this a lot but the SU team has been working so hard. I am so proud of them. I hope they enjoy playing tonight and really go for it.
HEY, Orange Nation - This team ROCKS!!
More tomorrow.
Phil
Ahh, so this is why people come to Spain! It was beautiful today - nice and sunny with mild wind and a perfect day for a game. The day started in usual fashion: 102 steps up to the dining hall for breakfast, 102 steps down. After a brief chat about the day's events with the staff I decided I would walk to the soccer complex to scout the England game instead of getting a ride. It was such a nice day I decided that I would leave a little early and meet the other coaches at the fields. That's another way of saying that I was going to the "Si Cafe" on the way to the first game (England vs Norway) lol. After plugging in the headphones and walking down the the cafe, I was greeted by Jackie, yes I am on a first name basis with the owner of the cafe. I decided to go for a different coffee drink, I don't really know what it was called but it was very good and helped to wash down the flapjack (dessert) that was crying out to me from beyond the counter.
Goodies in hand, I made my way to the complex to watch England vs Norway. England won 1-0 on an own goal from the Norwegian center back but it really should have been a more convincing win. England played very well and is a dynamic team. We will have to play well to beat them.
After their game ended, the U.S. team arrived and we started warming up. Again the team was well prepared. Coach Waldrum gave the team a few reminders and they took the field. Well, the reminders obviously worked as we scored from a corner kick within the first two minutes. Sweden put us under some pressure at times and forced a fine save from U.S. goalkeeper Abby Smith. However we dominated play and went into halftime with a 4-0 lead. Three of those goals came from set pieces which was awesome. At half time Coach Waldrum and assistant coach Michelle Demko gave the team some observations and the players took the field for the second half.
Two more goals followed and the game ended in a 6-0 win. It was amazing to watch such a convincing win at the international level, especially against such a well-respected footballing nation. U.S .technical director April Heinrichs was on hand to witness the game and was thrilled by the result. Today also saw the arrival of the US U20 WNT (minus 34 pieces of luggage). The team watched our game and then did a light jog to get some of the travel out of their legs. Tomorrow will be an interesting day for me personally as I am doing double duty, working with both teams, so the U23's have training at 10:30 a.m., the U20's at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. and then the U23's have a team meeting and preparation for England at 7 p.m. Busy day but what a great experience to be working with such great coaches and some of the best players in the USA.
I have to sign off now as it's almost midnight here and I have to finish the video for tomorrow.
The SU women are in warm ups RIGHT NOW as they prepare to play Buffalo in Manley Arena. I know I say this a lot but the SU team has been working so hard. I am so proud of them. I hope they enjoy playing tonight and really go for it.
HEY, Orange Nation - This team ROCKS!!
More tomorrow.
Phil
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