goalWA.net: Describe your thoughts and emotions as you went through the process of deciding to take the Sounders Women head coaching job.
Michelle: When (General Manager) Amy Carnell first contacted me, I was so excited to hear about the vision she and ownership have for the Sounders Women moving forward. When I realized she was calling to see if I’d be interested in coaching the team, I was definitely intrigued by the opportunity. I knew it was something I wanted to do right away, as long I would be able to continue coaching with Eastside FC and US Soccer as well. Thankfully, we’ve been able to work out the scheduling so now I am full speed ahead! As we get closer to tryouts and the season starting, I continuously become more and more excited with the potential of our team.
Now that you’ve accepted the job, what are a few things you are working on right now? What are a few items on your checklist before the W-League season starts?
Since accepting the coaching position, I’ve been getting caught up to speed on the inner workings of the Sounders Women’s organization and the general rules and regulations of the W-League. As a staff, we have worked to ensure that we’re on the same page regarding the direction and standard for this team moving forward. Identifying additional coaching staff that will be influential in developing the players, contacting top-level players who can help make our team successful, soliciting recommendations from college coaches, solidifying exhibition matches, mapping out our training schedule, and gathering previous game film are just a few of the things that have kept me busy since I accepted the position.
Talk about the kind of players you are looking for. What is the balance of skill, soccer intelligence, local pride and career desire you are looking for?
My goal is to put together a team that is made up of a balance of talented, intelligent, physical, crafty, and committed players. We want the Sounders Women’s team to be the team that top players want to come play for during the summer because they know they will get better, have a positive experience, and be successful. In order for the team to reach that level, this year will prove to be critical when forming the make-up of our roster. From top to bottom, finding the right dynamic of players who complement each other’s traits will be important. Players who have a tremendous passion for the game, a tireless work-rate to improve, a willingness to look at the game from a different perspective, and an understanding of how we want to play will find a role with our team. Knowing our local Northwest talent alone, I’m hoping, and expecting, for us to have some tough decisions to make throughout the season.
