Pia Sundhage: rock star! Hear what she has to say lately

We knew that Pia Sundhage has this secret desire to be a musician or singing star or otherwise make a name for herself in show biz. But apparently, back in her native Sweden, where she was recently introduced as the new women’s coach, she really is the figurative rock star!

Sundhage recently announced her U.S. departure after a highly successful spell in charge. Sunday was her next-to-last U.S. match, and the NBC cameras were there to report on the team’s 2-1 win over Australia.

(MORE: Highlights from the 2-1 victory at the Home Depot Center)

While on the scene outside Los Angeles, the NBC team spoke to Sundhage about her splashy introduction as Sweden’s top woman in charge. The also heard about the manager’s favorite moment during four years of U.S. guidance (Abby Wambach’s goal against Brazil in the dying seconds of a 2011 World Cup quarterfinal, “the moment” of her soccer life, she said): “That was something that is just extraordinary. It is magic. Imagine magic, and that was even better than a movie.”

.

.

By the way, it’s interesting that Sundhage keeps talking about technical players and individuals who “read the game” at a high level. Sounds like a certain German coach we know who is now is charge of the men’s national team.

The NBC team also talked Sunday to Alex Morgan, whose well-taken equalizer helped set the table for a penalty kick game-winner against the Aussies.  Falling behind, but then rallying heroically, has become something of a hallmark of the U.S. team under Sundhage – for better or worse.

How does Morgan feel about those comebacks and the ability to continually manufacture them: “We have the confidence,” she said. “We have the motivation. Everyone is pushing each other on the field, every second. We knew we were going to come back. We just wanted it to be sooner rather than later.”

Hear what else the 23-year-old striker had to say:

.