Women's Professional Soccer 2009

(April 25, 2008) -- Tom Sermanni, who will lead Australia against the U.S. Women’s National Team Sunday evening in Cary, N.C., has a unique perspective when it comes to judging the tremendous influence of a professional women’s soccer league on the world’s game. 

From 1994 to 1997, Sermanni headed up the Australian Women’s National Team.  Between 2001 and 2003 he was one of the most popular coaches in the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA), first as an assistant with the San Jose CyberRays and eventually as head coach of the New York Power.  Since 2005 he has been back at the helm in Australia, leading the “Matildas” to unprecedented success.

(Football Federation Australia)

A year after finishing in the basement, the New York Power under Tom Sermanni's leadership challenged for a spot in the post-season until the last week of the season before ultimately finishing fifth, one spot out of the WUSA playoffs.

“I think the WUSA had an impact on women’s soccer across the globe,” the Scottish born coach said.  “It had the best players in the world and was a truly, fully professionally run league.  It provided the players with tough competition and provided an environment conducive to performance.”

Ironically, Sermanni may have done as much for soccer in Australia during his time in America than anywhere else.  In 2003 he convinced Cheryl Salisbury and Joey Peters to join him in New York and they were instrumental in that club’s turnaround.  Four years later it was Salisbury who scored the dramatic, stoppage time goal to secure a draw with Canada and Australia’s first ever trip to the FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinals where they gave Brazil a good scare before bowing out, 3-2.

Although two losses to North Korea last fall will keep Australia out of this summer’s Olympic Games, the future of the program is bright and Salisbury and Peters remain integral parts of Sermanni’s plans going forward (although Peters has been hampered by a nagging knee injury).  The same goes for Dianne Alagich, who was 22 when she arrived with the CyberRays in 2001. 

With the launch of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) slated for next April, Sermanni said the buzz is already permeating in Australia.

“Most of my current players would love to play in WPS,” the coach said.  “It is often talked about when we get together.  Several of them have already had discussions (with WPS representatives).”

So would Sermanni ever consider a return to coaching in the United States? Yes, but not likely in 2009.

“I actually had some discussions with a couple of clubs towards the end of 2007,” he began before adding the caveat that, “At the beginning of 2008 I renewed my Australian contract until 2012 so it may be some time before I can consider another position.”

That contract calls for him to lead the Matildas through the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany and the 2012 Olympic Games in London.  But, he cautioned, “Things can change quite quickly in soccer.”

There is little doubt that Sermanni’s return for a WPS coaching stint would be welcomed by whichever players are fortunate enough to play under him.  With the Power he appeared well on his way to turning around a franchise that was the worst in the league upon his arrival by nearly leading the team into the playoffs in his first season.  With such distractions as cricket matches at the end of training sessions, he kept the mood light.

In Sermanni’s immediate future is a trip to the United States for friendlies against the United States on Sunday, April 27 in Cary, N.C. and Saturday, May 3 in Birmingham, Ala.  Australia has never beaten the United States, but the gap has closed in recent years with two draws in the last three meetings.  Since the Matildas failed to qualify for the 2008 Olympics, their main goal for 2008 will be the Asian Cup in May and June and then preparation for World Cup qualifying.  As the year progresses, many of the Australian players will also seek to pursue opportunities in Women’s Professional Soccer.

Sermanni believes that WPS will need to attract quality players from around the world in order to thrive, but also cautioned that there is now enhanced competition from other international leagues as compared to the WUSA days.

And then he added, “I am very confident that WPS will have sustainability and longevity.”