Pia Sundhage Remarks on Former Players Will Provide Motivation in USA vs. Sweden

There is one person who knows the United States women's national team best, and on this occasion, she sits in the opposition's dugout. 

Pia Sundhage coached the American ladies for four years—winning two Olympic golds and finishing runner-up at the World Cup—and she now takes her homeland of Sweden on the quest for ultimate glory, with the USWNT standing in her way. 

The outspoken manager has always had her own style and grace when addressing the press, and she pulled no punches in a recent interview, with Sam Borden of the New York Times, about her country's clash against her former players.

Sundhage made her position and opinions clear in the article, singling out Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd and controversial goalkeeper Hope Solo for appraisal.

Armando Franca/Associated Press

Speaking to Borden about icon Wambach, Sundhage said the player would not be in her first team plans if she was still the USWNT coach: "I said that to Abby [she would not be a starter] I told her: 'If I stayed, you would be a sub. The best sub ever. But a sub.' There was no question about that in my mind.”

Sundhage also spoke candidly about Solo, per Borden, saying she was one of the most challenging players she had coached in her career, and also gave her opinion on Lloyd:

"Carli Lloyd was a challenge to coach, by the way. When she felt that we had faith in her, she could be one of the best players. But if she began to question that faith, she could be one of the worst. It was so delicate, so, so delicate."

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Sundhage has since distanced herself from her comments, calling Solo the best goalkeeper in the world, per the Guardian, with Jeff Carlisle of espnW reporting the Swede's gratitude to her former players. 

But the coach's comments were well timed and sit within the pantheon of mind games played by coaching greats such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho. 

Sundhage's team are second best when it comes to facing USWNT, and she is very much aware of this. If it becomes a physical battle, her defence is going to be destroyed by the might of the American side. 

However, if she can get inside the heads of her opponents, the Swede knows she has a chance of causing an upset. 

It is interesting she targeted Solo and Lloyd, and the ageing frame of Wambach. Here are three players who could decide the match when the two countries meet on Friday night—but if the 55-year-old can affect their contribution, she will hold the advantage.

However, despite her efforts, the coach's remarks are not going to stop USWNT. The team overcame a tricky first match against a resolute Australian outfit, and they are ready for Sweden. Solo looked in fine fettle in the opening game, and Lloyd delivered a simple message after hearing her former boss' comments, as highlighted by Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl:

"

Got a message from Carli Lloyd on SWE coach Pia Sundhage's critical comments on her ahead of USA-Sweden: "I plan to respond on the field."

— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) June 10, 2015"

Sundhage may have lightened her tone, in regards to her original interview with Borden, but NBC's Jeff Kassouf gave his interpretation of her shift in stance:

"

And I have seen some infer that Sundhage back-pedaled today. Very much the opposite. She *expanded* upon her thoughts. No trash-talking.

— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) June 11, 2015"

However the American women take Sundhage words, they know a victory against Sweden is vital to their ambitions of winning the World Cup in Canada.

This is the last chance for Wambach—and the elder influences in the team—to win the most prized trophy in women's football, and they will not allow their former mentor to affect their psyche before the tie.

Sweden have the talent to beat the USA, but it is questionable if they can live with their opponents if they find top gear. The American's left the door open for the Aussies in the opening game, which would cost them dear against Sundhage's team, but they will surely show more care in possession in Winnipeg on Friday night.