Photo by ISIPhotos.com
The same day the news hit that Pia Sundhage was leaving her job as U.S. women's national team head coach, the Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. women played their first match since the Olympics and treated fans to a showcase of attacking prowess.
It also felt every bit like the start of a long goodbye for their coach.
Hometown hero Abby Wambach scored two goals and delivered an assist in the U.S. women's team's 8-0 thrashing of Costa Rica in Rochester on Saturday.
Megan Rapinoe also scored two goals, while four others, including Olympic tournament stars Alex Moran and Carli Lloyd, added goals.
The victory came just hours after Sundhage announced that she would not be returning as U.S. head coach (and just before news surfaced in Sweden that Sundhage would be taking over as head coach of the Swedish national team).
Sundhage addressed the crowd at Rochester's Sahlen Stadium, where a crowd of 13,208 fans welcomed the gold medal-winning team in their first post-Olympic match. Sundhage addressed the news of her departure, which was revealed just hours before Saturday's friendly.
The U.S. women will continue their post-Olympic tour on Sept. 16th against Australia at Home Depot Center before facing Australia at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Colorado three days later in what will be Sundhage's final match as U.S. manager.
What did you think of Saturday's match? Who do you see replacing Sundhage? Which U.S. player impressed you the most on Saturday?
Share your thoughts below.