Buried in the AP article on Sunday’s friendly with Australia was the statement by U.S. Soccer that the search committee for finding the next head coach includes two USWNT alumni, Mia Hamm and Danielle Slaton. Also the committee is in the process of “making a list of candidates and will soon start having conversations with those candidates” (that is a direct quote from U.S. Soccer statement).
Leading the committee is U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati, who will be the one making the final decision. Other U.S. Soccer officials on the committee include Secretary General (CEO) Dann Flynn and Managing Director of Administration (Jeff Carlisle, Twitter).
According to Gulati, at least ten candidates have expressed interest, including some “interesting inquiries internationally” (EqualizerSoccer.com).
The search committee met on Sunday and is looking to find a replacement in the next 30 to 45 days. The unofficial deadline, the first friendly with Germany, is October 20th, which is about 33 days out.
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Some background on Danielle Slaton:
Slaton was on the USWNT from 2000 to 2005. During her injury-shortened career, she was a member of both the USA’s 2000 Olympic Team and the 2003 Women’s World Cup squad. Slaton, a stand-out left-footed fullback, won an NCAA title at Santa Clara in 2001 and was the top draft pick by the Carolina Courage in 2002. With the Courage, she won a WUSA Championship her first year. After the WUSA folded, Slaton played professionally in France for Olympique Lyonnais. Slaton won a number of individual accolades, most notably the 2002 WUSA Defender of the Year (as a rookie) and the 2001 NCAA Scholar Athlete of the Year. (U.S. Soccer Q&A from 2002, old assistant coach bio a NUSports.com)
Slaton currently serves on the U.S. Soccer’s Athletes Council (U.S. Soccer) and was also a Sports Envoy on behalf of the State Department (U.S. Soccer).
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See Also:
Women's Soccer Express 