Pia Sundahge has once again stepped outside the box, this time with the hiring of Norwegian National Team legend and former thorn in the side of the United States Women, Hege Riise as an Assistant Coach.

Via USSoccer 

The central midfielder was considered one of the best in the world at her position during her 14 years playing for her country.

Riise joins a coaching staff that also includes UCLA head coach Jillian Ellis, Penn State head coach Erica Walsh and Syracuse head coach Phil Wheddon, who trains the USA’s goalkeepers. All three coaches were on Sundhage’s staff for the 2008 Olympics.

The long-time captain for Norway, Riise made her international debut in 1990 and played in four Women’s World Cup tournaments (1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003), helping Norway to the title in 1995 as well as an Olympic gold medal in 2000. She also played in the 1996 Olympic Games.

Riise scored the first goal in Norway’s 2-0 victory over Germany in the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s top player.

She comes to U.S. Soccer after coaching several seasons with Team Strommen in the Norway First Division, as well as with the Norwegian U-19 Women’s National Team. She was on Norway’s staff as an assistant coach for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile last fall.

“With the type of experiences she’s had in soccer, and with the kind of player she was with a great ability to read the game, she will help us in both defending and attacking,” said Sundhage. “One of her strengths as a player was finding different ways to attack and her knowledge will help us become more unpredictable. She will teach me and the team a lot.”

Riise, 39, is no stranger to America, having played three seasons for the Carolina Courage in the WUSA, earning team MVP honors in 2001 and 2002 seasons and leading the Courage to the league championship in 2002. In 2003, she was named the best-ever Norwegian female player by the Norwegian Football Association.

Image via WNT-USSoccer