The US Women got back together for their first action since the Algarve Cup final in mid-March for a friendly against cross border rival Canada. Japan had pulled out of a North American tour including matches against the US and Canada. To make up for the matches lost, the Canada agreed to a friendly against the USA.

The match took place at BMO Field, home of the MLS' Toronto FC. This was the first meeting between the two teams since the Olympic quarter-final in which Natasha Kai scored the game-winning goal in over time to give the US a 2-1 win, and get them to the semifinal against Japan.

The US took the lead early in the first half. Shannon Boxx took the ball to the top right side of the box and released a shot that got past Canadian goalkeeper, Karina LeBlanc in the 3rd minute.

The match did not have a lot of action as was expected and was a little slow. Canada had more possession though, but the US was able to score again in the closing minutes of the first half. This time it was Megan Rapinoe, who started at center midfield. She took the ball inside the area, cut to her right around a defender and bent a perfect ball to the lower right corner of the goal.

She sent the US into the locker rooms with a 2 goal lead. Halftime changes included Nicole Barnhart coming in for Hope Solo, who had only a couple touches on the ball with her feet. Rachel Buehler subbed in for Amy LePeilbet.

The US came into the second half hungry for more goals. In the 67th minute, Angela Hucles received a pass form Abby Wambach. Her effort went high over the crossbar.

In the 71st minute Heather O'Reilly stole a ball at the top of the box and dribbled inside the area. Her shot also went high over the bar.

Canada gave the US a corner kick in 78th minute. Hucles played the ball to the far post where Wambach was able to keep it in play. The Canadian defense was not able to clear the ball, and second-half substitute Lindsay Tarpley found the back of the net to give the US a 3-0 lead.

Just three minutes late, Lauren Cheney, who had just come in for Amy Rodriguez, sealed the win on a cross from O'Reilly. She headed the ball into the goal from a tight angle.

The US backline was pretty solid throught the match, and cut down Canada's chances. Christine Sinclair was not able to score her 100th goal. Abby Wambach did not find the net either. The good thing is the teams will meet again twice in July. The first match will be on July 19th at Rochester Rhino's Stadium in Rochester, NY. Kick-off is at 3pm ET and will air live on ESPN. The next match will be on July 22nd at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, SC. The match is set to start at 8pm ET and will air live on FSC.

The US Women were set to open their domestic schedule with a two-game series against Japan. The first match would be May 20 in Sandy, Utah. The second leg was scheduled for May 23 in Dallas, Texas. Unfortunately, Japan has pulled out of their North American tour (they were also scheduled to play against Canada on May 25, Memorial Day).

Japan has decided not to travel to the US or Canada due to concerns with the H1N1 virus. “This is an unfortunate situation, but one that we had absolutely no control over,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “We have been assured that the risk to the participating teams is exceptionally low, but we accept the Japanese Federation’s decision not to travel.”

Fans that had already purchased tickets for the 2 matches will get full refunds.

The US will now face Canada on May 25th, Memorial Day in Toronto at BMO Field, home of the MLS' Toronto FC. This match will be televised live on FSC at 7pm ET. Fans can also follow online at ussoccer.com.

This is the first time the US Women have played in Canada since 2001. The math was played at Varsity Stadium in front of 9,023 fans, which was the largest crowd to ever watch a Canada Women's match at the time. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.

Forwards Abby Wambach (USA) and Christine Sinclair (Canada) will both be aiming to score their 100th goals for their respective countries. Be sure to tune in and you might be able to witness world soccer history if either of them score.

"I am grateful that we could put together a game on such short notice and want to thank the WPS teams and officials for their flexibility in unique situation," said U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage. “We’ve been watching a lot of WPS games and it will be so nice to have all the players together who have performed well in the league. I am very happy that the USA and Canada could get together to organize this match.”

The quick arrangement of the match in Toronto means that the USA and Canada will play three times this summer as the two countries were already scheduled to meet twice in July in the United States, on July 19 in Rochester, N.Y., and on July 22 in Charleston, S.C. Tickets are available for both games through ussoccer.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and at all Ticketmaster ticket centers throughout the Rochester and Charleston areas. Groups of 20 or more can obtain an order form at ussoccer.com or call 312-528-1290.

The US Women will play their rival Canada twice in July for a rematch of the 2008 Olympic quarter finals. They will face each other first on Sunday, July 19th at Rochester Rhinos Stadium in Rochester, NY. The second game will be on Wednesday, July 22nd at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, SC.

These matches are very interesting for a couple of reasons. One of them is that the last time these teams played each other, the US beat Canada to the semi-final of the Olympics. Natasha Kai scored the game-winning goal on a cross from Shannon Boxx with a diving header in over time. It's been a while since the teams met, but they know each other very well having played a total of 44 matches (the most times the US has faced any country in history) but now Canada has a different coach. Legendary Italian player Carolina Morace has taken over the Canadians and will likely introduce the players to a different style of play. 

The second reason is that some Canadian players are playing here in the US in the Women's Professional Soccer league and are teammates with US players. Forward Christine Sinclair is playing in the Bay Area with FC Gold Pride with US goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart, defender RachelBuehler, and midfielders Leslie Osborne and Tina DiMartino. Karina LeBlanc is the starting keeper for the Los Angeles Sol which has defender Stephanie Cox, midfielders Aly Wagner and ShannonBoxx. Canadian forward Martina Franko has just signed with the Sol as well. Melissa Tancredi is playing in St. Louis alongside US goalkeeper Hope Solo, defender/midfielder Lori Chalupny, and forward Tina Ellertson.

Abby Wambach, who scored 142 goals at Our Lady of Mercy High School, where she was an all-American and 1997 high school player of the year could also return to her hometown. Last time she played in Rochester, she scored 2 goals for the States' 3-1 victory over Mexico on September 13, 2006. She also scored 2 goals last time the US  played at Blackbaud helping the US defeat Mexico 3-0.

These matches will be the last home games for the US and they are scheduled to go on a European tour after the WPS season ends.

For tickets to the Japan matches in May, or the Canada series in July, visit ussoccer.com for more information.

Since the start of WPS is almost here, the US Women's National Team will have a limited amount of playing time. They started out with the Algarve Cup in early March, and will be back together after in late May for a two-game series against Japan.

The first match will be on May 20 in Frisco, Texas at Pizza Hut Park, home of the Major League Soccer's FC Dallas. This will be the first match there since a 6-2 win for the USA against Canada on May 12, 2007, and their first match-up against Japan since the 4-2 win for the US in the Olympic semifinal. Kick-off is set for 7:30 pm CT. Ticket prices range from $18-$80 plus VIP on-field seats for $125. Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 am CT. If you are not able to go to the game, you can follow live on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker.

The second match-up will be on May 23 in Sandy, Utah at Rio Tinto Stadium where Real Salt Lake of the MLS plays their home games. Tickets start at $18, plus on-field seats for $150 and go on sale on March 21, at 10 am MT. This game will be televised live on Fox Soccer Channel at 4 pm MT. Fans can also follow live on MatchTracker.

The US and Japan have had a long history dating back to 1986. They also played each other in the 1991 and 1995 FIFA Women's World Cups as well as in the quartefinals in the 2004 Olympics, and most recently at the Beijing Olympics in Group play and in the semifinal. Japan has never defeated the US, but tied 3 straight games played between 2000 and 2004.

Japan will most likely feature its star player, midfielder Homare Sawa of the Washington Freedom, along with midfielder Aya Myama of the Los Angeles Sol and forward Eriko Arakawa of the FC Gold Pride.

After Shannon Boxx caused Sweden to take the lead in the 19th minute, she came back to score the goal that would keep the US Women in the game at the 90th minute, at least until Heather Mitts would miss the deciding shot of the penalty shootout.

For the first 45 minutes, the US struggled to find their rhythm and create chances. At halftime, Pia talked to the team and changed their attitude. The US fought hard throughout the second half until the 90th minute. That is when Carli Lloyd cut past a defender, played the ball to Kai, who played it to Rapinoe who struck a pass across the goal mouth for Boxx to score. Hope Solo stepped up big time to keep the US in it, making 5 spectacular saves. The game ended and went into a penalty shootout.

First up for Sweden was Louise Fors who scored into the lower left corner.

Next Shannon Boxx blasted the ball into the upper right crner.

Next up for Sweden was Lisa Dahlkvist who also shot into the lower left.

Kristin Hammarstrom blocked Megan Rapoine's shot.

Sweden's Linda Sembrandt got her shot in off the left post.

Carli Lloyd slammed her shot to the lower left corner.

Anna Paulson gave life to the USA when her shit went high ocer the crossbar.

Then Christie Rampone's shot hit the inside of the left post and behind Hammarsrtom, but not in.

Hope Solo kept the US alive as she blocked Lotta Schelin's shot.

Tina DiMartino shot to the left and the ball went through Hammarstrom's hands.

Emelie Olander shot the ball over the goal.

Then Angie Woznuk's shot was saved.

Stine Segerstrom then finished into the lower left corner.

Finally, Heather Mitts cracked her shot to the left post and Sweden earned 1st place.

Mitts was playing in her 100th game for the WNT, and is the 25th player to achieve it in the history of the team. Unfortunately, her 100th cap was not as great as she hoped it would be. Hope Solo went on to win the Best Player of the Tournament award, and was the woman of the match.

Algarve Cup Final Standings:

1. Sweden
2. USA
3. Denmark
4. Germany
5. China
6. Iceland
7. Finland
8. Portugal
9. Norway
10. Austria
11. Poland
12. Wales

The US played in the last match of group play for the Algarve Cup today against long-time rival, Norway. They were coming in against the US having lost their previous two matches of Group B as they fell to Iceland and Denmark 3-1 and 2-0, respectively.

Although the result of this match would have made no difference to the US, they still fought hard for the win, out-shooting Norway 12-9. Kacey White made a long run down the left flank, played a pass to Amy Rodriguez, who spun around her defender to play the ball to Megan Rapinoe on the right side. Rapinoe cut to her inside, continued inside the box, and ripped a shot that went into the net after hitting the left post in the 23rd minute.

Hope Solo also came up big for the USA once again, earning a second shutout (Nicole Barnhart earned the other shutout against Iceland) in the tournament. In the 18th minute, Kristine Lie took a shot from the left side of the top of the box, that was headed straight or the top right corner. Solo made a fully extended dive to the corner to tip the ball over the crossbar. She punched away the following corner.

Solo on the save: “I believe she struck it on top of the box to my right side. But Mitzy (Heather Mitts) was tracking the player down pretty fast to put pressure on her to get a shot off quickly. The only spot she had to shoot was my upper left. I got a good read on it and moved early.”  

In the 33rd minute, the US could have made it 2-0. White sent a looping cross to Rodriguez, who's shot went just wide right. 

Solo made another great save in the 83rd minute. Norway's captain, Ingvild Stensland shot a rocket that forced Solo to spring straight up and tip the ball over for a corner kick. 

The USA are the only team that has not allowed a goal in the tournament. The back four have had a great tournament thus far, with rookie Kendall Fletcher having had her first cap and full 90-minute game against the Norwegians.

Sweden defeated Germany in a must win match. They will face the US Women in the Algarve Cup 1st place match. Pia Sundhage will coach the USA against her home country once again. 

Pia on coaching against Sweden: “Regardless of what you have done before the final, everyone has the feeling of loving to play in the final. I think all 18 are ready to go. The fact that we are playing Sweden makes it a little interesting. I will have my best friend sitting on the other bench (asst. coach Lilly Persson). It would be cool to win that game.”

The final will be on Wednesday, March 9 at 12 pm ET. The match can be followed online on ussoccer.com's Match Tracker.

After 90 minutes of struggling against a determined and organized Iceland team, and strong winds in the small stadium, Parque Deportiva da Nora in Ferreiras, Portugal, the US Women got the 90th-minute game winner from Natasha Kai to earn a berth in the championship match of the Algarve Cup.

The game was off to a slow start for the US, maybe because of the fact that they were playing against the wind in the first half. Iceland had several chances to score in the first 45 minutes as they took advantage of several bad passes, caused by swilrling winds, by the US players.

In the second half, Pia Sundhage added Heather O'Reilly to the line up on the right wing, and added Lindsay Tarpley to the left, moving Megan Rapinoe up to play a withdrawn forward position behind Amy Rodriguez.  The US started to find its rhythm and used the width of the field to create numerous chances, including 7 corner kicks.

Iceland played a mostly defensive second half, refusing to get scored on. They finally started attacking more, and in the 72nd minute, Dora Maria Larusdottir blasted a shot from the right side of the box, forcing US goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart to tip the ball over the crossbar, which made for 2 consecutive corner kicks for the Icelanders.

Shannon Boxx and Heather Mitts did what they do best in the last 15 minutes of the match. They made several tackles in the box and cleared off long passes from Iceland defenders, keeping the US in the game.

In the 87th minute, Barnhart came off her line to challenge a bouncing ball and collided with Rakel Honnudottir, who was able to get a touch on the ball, but the shot went wide right.

In the 90th minute, Christie Rampone passed a long ball to Kai, who trapped it it with her chest, let the ball bounce, flicked it over a defender, let it bounce once more, and hit a left-footed half-volley to the back of the net.

The US is now in the championship match with one match still left in group play, regardless the result of their match against Norway. The result will have no effect on group B standings as Norway lost to Iceland and Denmark, and Iceland and Denmark lost to the USA. The US will prepare for a championship match against Germany or Sweden, who play each other on March 9 at 9 am ET. Germany needs a win or tie, and Norway must win in order to have a chance at winning the Algarve Cup.

The US will play Norway on March 9 at 10 a.m. ET, 7 a.m. PT.

The US Women have played their first match of the year at the Algarve Cup. They defeated Denmark with a score of 2-0. Midfielder Angie Woznuk scored in the 22nd minute, and forward Tina DiMartino increased the lead just 13 minutes later.

The first goal was scored by Woznuk in her 7th cap and 2nd start for the national team. The play started when Angela Hucles passed the ball to Woznuk who crossed it into the box from the left wing. Denmark's goalkeeper punched the ball to the left side but Heather O'Reilly ran to it and crossed it. The goalkeeper punched it again, but Woznuk got to it and shot the half-volley to roof from a tough angle.

The US started to find a rythm and in the 35th minute, former UCLA star, Tina DiMartino scored the second and last goal of the match. It all started with a corner kick taken by captain Christie Rampone. She took it to the far post. Natasha Kai headed the ball back to the front of the goal, off the arm of a defender, and DiMartino was able to get a foot on it.  This goal was DiMartino's first, and in only her second cap.

Despite the bad weather conditions (rain and strong wind), US goalkeeper Hope Solo came up big with huge saves. She saved 2 breakaways from Danish forward Johanna Rasmussen in the first half. The first one was pushed away to the right in the 26th minute, and in the 36th she made a dive to her left.

Her biggest save of the match was a minute before the first half ended. A cross from Rasmussen was allowed into the box and forward Merete Pedersen took a shot frmo six yards out. Solo stuck out her right arm and then punced on the ball before it could spin into the goal. Solo made another save with 8 minutes to go. She punched away a cross from Rasmussen. This gave her the Sierra Mist Woman of the Match title.

The US will have a day off, and will then play against Iceland on March 6 at  3pm local/ 10amET in Ferreiras. The match can be followed on US Soccer's Match Tracker.

After a long 17-day training camp for the US Women, Pia Sundhage has named the 18-player roster that will travel to Portugal once again for the annual Algarve Cup in southern Portugal. The roster is made up of only 13 players that participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, while the rest is made up of some new faces and talent as Pia is bringing a new look to the team that already has its sights on the 2011 World Cup in Germany.

One new player on the team is defender Kendall Fletcher. She was a member of the team that won the 2002 FIFA U-19 Women's World Cup. She is coming on as the only uncapped player for the senior team.

Midfielders Kacey White, Angie Woznuk, and Tina DiMartino all earned call-backs and will be going against each other to earn some playing time alongside Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Heather O'Reilly, and Lindsay Tarpley.

With Abby Wambach still out from her broken leg, Pia has 4 forwards on the roster, including Angela Hucles who came up big last year to score game-winning goals, and of course was the leading scorer for the US at the Olympics. Megan Rapinoe and Natasha Kai are also back on the team, and Amy Rodriguez will begin her second full year with the team.

The USA is in Group B, in which they will play aginst Norway, Denmark, and Iceland for a spot in the Championship match against the winner of Group A which includes Germany, Sweden, China, and Finland. Group C is made up of Portugal, Poland, Austria, and Wales.

The US plays Denmark on March 4 at 7 am ET, then on March 6 at 10 am ET, they play against Iceland, and on March 9 at 11 am ET, they face long-time rival Norway to end group play.

The winners of group A and B will play for the championship on March 11, while the two second-place finishers of groups A and B will play for 3rd place. The third place finishers of groups A and B will play for 5th place. The winner of Group C will play the best fourth place team (from Group A or B) for 7th place. The second place team of Group C will play against the worst fourth-place team (from Group A or B) for 9th place, and the last two teams on Group C wil play for 11th place.

For the complete schedule for the Algarve Cup click here.

Full USA roster:

GOALKEEPERS (2): Nicole Barnhart (FC Gold Pride), Hope Solo (St. Louis Athletica)
DEFENDERS (5): Rachel Buehler (FC Gold Pride), Lori Chalupny (St. Louis Athletica), Kendall Fletcher (Los Angeles Sol), Heather Mitts (Boston Breakers), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC);
MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx (Los Angeles Sol), Tina DiMartino (FC Gold Pride), Carli Lloyd (Chicago Red Stars), Heather O’Reilly (Sky Blue FC), Lindsay Tarpley (Chicago Red Stars), Kacey White (Sky Blue FC), Angie Woznuk (St. Louis Athletica);
FORWARDS (4): Angela Hucles (Boston Breakers), Natasha Kai (Sky Blue FC), Megan Rapinoe (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (Boston Breakers)

Pia Sundhage has called up 25 players to begin the 2009 action for the US WNT.  After a great year in 2008, Pia has called in some new talent, while other players will look to establish themselves on the player pool.

All 18 Olympic gold medalists are back to kick off the new year, except for defender Kate Markgraf, who will take the year off as she is pregnant with her second child, and midfielder Aly Wagner. Abby Wambach will see her first action since breaking her leg in July. Natasha Kai will also be back in action after missing the last leg of the Achieve Your Gold Tour due to illness.

Amy Rodriguez and Lauren Cheney will be back with the USA after finishing their stellar college soccer careers at USC and UCLA, respectively, along with Tobin Heath, the youngest player at the Olympics, who won the College Cup with the University of North Carolina in 2008.

Tina Ellertson is also back with the team, only this time she has been switched from defender to forward. She played that position during the last two games of the post-Olympic tour to fill in for forwards Natasha Kai, Amy Rodriguez, and Lauren Cheney. 

Angie Woznuk, Kendalll Fletcher, and Jill Oakes, all members of the US team that won the 2002 U-19 FIFA Women's World Cup, have been called up. Angie Woznuk has 6 caps and scored one goal at the Four Nations tournament in 2008. Jill Oakes earned her first and only cap at the Algarve Cup in 2005. The only uncapped player is Kendall Fletcher, who went undefeated with the Pali Blues of the W-League. Another player who gets back in action from knee injuries is Megan Rapinoe, one of the top collegiate players at the University of Portland, who has 4 caps and 2 goals with the national team. Tina DiMartino, one of the top college players at UCLA will also be back at camp. She has just one cap, earned at the Four Nations tournament in 2008.

The players will compete for a spot on the 18-player roster for the Algarve Cup which runs from March 4-11 in southern Portugal.

GK (2): Nicole Barnhart, Hope Solo

D (8): Rachel Buehler, Lori Chalupny, Stephanie Cox, Marian Dlamy, Kendall Fletcher, Heather Mitts, Jill Oakes, Christie Rampone

M (8): Shannon Boxx, Tina DiMartino,  Tobin Heath, Carli Lloyd, Heather O'Reilly, Lindsay Tarpley, Kacey White, Angie Woznuk

F (7): Lauren Cheney, Tina Ellertson,  Angela Hucles, Natasha Kai, Megan Rapinoe, Amy Rodriguez, Abby Wambach