Have you been able to follow any of the WPS season so far?

Steffi Jones: I have been following the results on internet. I know LA Sol have been having a terrific season, and my former club Washington Freedom is trying very hard as well, which is great to know because I’m still a big Freedom fan.

What’s your initial reaction to the quality and level of play in WPS?

SJ: WPS has a strong blend of young and experienced players that makes it a very exciting and competitive league. Regardless what team you follow, there are plenty of amazing players, like Marta, Abby Wambach, Amy Rodriguez or Kristine Lilly, that make a stadium visit absolutely worth it.

You are attending the Washington-Los Angeles game on July 5, what are your memories of playing in the U.S. during the WUSA?

SJ: I had a great time in DC. Through my time with Washington Freedom, my perception of the role of a sportsperson changed. We were not just there to win trophies, but also to use our popularity as a catalyst for positive change in our society. Indeed, while I played with Washington Freedom every squad member had a twin mission: on the weekends we had to do our best to win our games, and during the week we were to make a contribution in our community by using our privileged position as athletes to help needy people in hospitals, schools and rehabilitation centers.

What does it mean for women’s soccer to have a top level women’s league in the U.S. once again?

SJ: Through a strong league you provide homegrown talents with a perfect platform to further develop their careers. Furthermore, WPS gives them the possibility to learn from some of the best foreign players in the world.

Turning our attention to your role as head of the 2011 World Cup Organizing Committee, how are things going with all the planning?

SJ: Things are going pretty well. We have presented the nine venues, and we already signed up five national suppliers, which demonstrates the attractiveness of the FIFA Women's World Cup, and the high expectations specifically associated with Germany 2011. The friendly match against the U.S. scheduled for October 29 will be the perfect occasion to start with ticket sales. Besides, we are trying hard to stage a wonderful U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2010. We hope to welcome as many U.S. fans as possible.

You recently selected the host cities and venues for the tournament. How did you go through that selection process? And why did you select those cities?

SJ: It was a tough decision because we had a large list of very competitive candidates. Besides assessing the quality of the venues, we took into account regional distribution as an additional selection criterion. We made the right decision, as all nine venues have been working very hard and whenever we have been there we have noticed a great sense of anticipation.

You had a great crowd at the Germany vs. Brazil game in late April. A European record, in fact. Are you optimistic about the public’s support for the 2011 World Cup and what are your expectations for attendance?

SJ: The game against Brazil was a milestone in the history of European women’s soccer. We had a fantastic crowd of 45,000, which confirmed that our fans are very much looking forward to the World Cup. We have nice stadiums, very enthusiastic fans and all nine Host Cities are doing their best to promote the event. Hence, it’s possible to have sold out stadiums in 2011.

What is the media coverage for women’s soccer back in Germany?

SJ: The Women’s World Cup has been a great platform to increase both the media awareness and the media coverage of women’s football. The German FA is doing a terrific job to promote women’s football and we had a thrilling Women’s Bundesliga season, so that women’s football is getting more attractive for German media all the time.

Does the growth of professional women’s leagues in countries like the U.S., Sweden, England, Germany and Australia help the growth and popularity of the Women’s World Cup in the future?

SJ: Yes. It wouldn’t make sense to take the Women’s World Cup as an isolated phenomenon, as we should try to develop women’s soccer as a whole. The more strong leagues we have the better we can increase the popularity of the game around the world. It’s all about creating synergies.