Pia Sundhage, coach of the U.S. women's soccer team, revealed at a press conference Friday her secret for keeping her team focused: music.
The 51-year-old Swede even sang a few bars of one of her favorite songs, "The 59th Street Bridge Song" by Simon and Garfunkel, better known as "Feelin' Groovy."
"Slow down, you move too fast, you've got to make the morning last," sang Sundhage to reporters in a rich soprano, her accent melting away.
The U.S. national team, which plays Japan Sunday in Frankfurt, Germany for the World Cup title, goes into the game as favorites. But as Yahoo! Sports reported, Japan is the fastest team on the field. Sundhage pointed out that her World Cup team so far has had two tough games against Brazil and France.
“There are so many things to do before the final," Sundhage explained. "Everything I do, whether it is singing or talking or showing them a video, is to give them confidence.”
Sundhage has taken the lyrics to heart, managing to stay centered throughout her own career. She joined the Swedish national team in 1974, at one time holding the record for most goals scored for the team at 71.
Sundhage took over for Greg Ryan in 2008 and has worked to create a sense of community on the team. She has also duetted, according to Yahoo! Sports, with Scott "Santini" Powell, team doctor and former member of '70s nostalgia band Sha Na Na.
