Hege Riise
- U.S. National Team: WNT
- Position: Assistant Coach
- Date Of Birth: July 18, 1969
- Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Hege Riise joined the coaching staff of the U.S. Women’s National Team under head coach Pia Sundhage in February of 2009 prior to the Algarve Cup in Portugal. Among her many duties is a focus on working with the midfielders and attacking players, as well as video analysis.
One of the greatest female players in history, she was a long-time international star for Norway. Riise made her international debut in 1990 and played in four FIFA 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, leading Norway to a bronze medal.
The central midfielder, who earned 188 caps, was considered one of the best in the world at her position during 14 years playing for her country.
Riise scored the first goal in Norway’s 2-0 victory against Germany in the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup final and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s top player.
She came to U.S. Soccer after coaching three seasons, the first as a player-coach, with Team Strømmen in the Toppserien, the Norwegian Premier League, 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. She also worked with the Norwegian F.A. in selecting top young players to facilitate their development into potential candidates for the Olympics and World Cups.
Riise, 40, is no stranger to the U.S., 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.
Riise started her top flight club career at the age of 20 with Setskog, in the eastern part of Norway. The club eventually moved closer to Oslo and became Team Strømmen. She played with Setskog for 10 years, winning the Norwegian Cup Final in 1992.
In 1995, Riise made a move to Japan, where from 1995-1998 she played half a season with Nikko and half the season with Setskog. In 1996, she helped Nikko win the league and the cup titles. After her stint ended in Japan, she returned to Norway where she played one more season with Setskog in 1999 before joining Asker in Oslo in 2000, winning the Norwegian Cup and finishing second in the league. Following that, she began her career in the United States.
Riise retired from international soccer in 2004, but played for two more seasons for Team Strømmen before retiring in 2006.
She then took up the head coaching position with Team Strømmen, which is based in her hometown of Lillestrøm, just 20 minutes outside of Oslo. In 2008, Riise led Team Strømmen to the Norwegian Cup Final and a second place finish in the league.
Riise holds Norway’s top coaching license and is pursuing her UEFA coaching license. When in the United States, she resides in Charlotte, N.C.
One of the greatest female players in history, she was a long-time international star for Norway. Riise made her international debut in 1990 and played in four FIFA 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, leading Norway to a bronze medal.
The central midfielder, who earned 188 caps, was considered one of the best in the world at her position during 14 years playing for her country.
Riise scored the first goal in Norway’s 2-0 victory against Germany in the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup final and was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament’s top player.
She came to U.S. Soccer after coaching three seasons, the first as a player-coach, with Team Strømmen in the Toppserien, the Norwegian Premier League, 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. She also worked with the Norwegian F.A. in selecting top young players to facilitate their development into potential candidates for the Olympics and World Cups.
Riise, 40, is no stranger to the U.S., 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.
Riise started her top flight club career at the age of 20 with Setskog, in the eastern part of Norway. The club eventually moved closer to Oslo and became Team Strømmen. She played with Setskog for 10 years, winning the Norwegian Cup Final in 1992.
In 1995, Riise made a move to Japan, where from 1995-1998 she played half a season with Nikko and half the season with Setskog. In 1996, she helped Nikko win the league and the cup titles. After her stint ended in Japan, she returned to Norway where she played one more season with Setskog in 1999 before joining Asker in Oslo in 2000, winning the Norwegian Cup and finishing second in the league. Following that, she began her career in the United States.
Riise retired from international soccer in 2004, but played for two more seasons for Team Strømmen before retiring in 2006.
She then took up the head coaching position with Team Strømmen, which is based in her hometown of Lillestrøm, just 20 minutes outside of Oslo. In 2008, Riise led Team Strømmen to the Norwegian Cup Final and a second place finish in the league.
Riise holds Norway’s top coaching license and is pursuing her UEFA coaching license. When in the United States, she resides in Charlotte, N.C.
