USA Womens Soccer

US WOMEN 2-0 in Scandinavia

2008-07-06 22:12:49

The US WNT traveled to Europe for a two game tour in Norway and Sweden. These two games are part of the preparation for the 2008 Olympics.

First, they played their long time rival Norway. This is only the third time the USA has played in Norway, and the first time they defeated them on their own turf.

Lindsay Tarpley scored the first goal in the 4th minute. Abby Wambach received a throw-in, turned inside the box and played the ball to Tarpley, who scored into the lower left corner from 10 yards out.

The second goal came 7 minutes into the second half. Tarpley passed the ball to Natasha Kai, who then passed it to Carli Lloyd who took a left-footed shot from 12 yards out.

Angela Hucles scored the 3rd goal. Hope Solo drop-kicked the ball to the top of the box which forced the Norwegian goalkeeper to come off her line and kick the ball out.The ball bounced to Hucles who noticed the goalie was way off her line and took a shot from 40 yards out.

"You pretty much don’t think about. It was one of those split-second decisions you make on the field. You hope your skill comes in a little bit and a little bit of luck. It was probably one of the most technical goals I’ve ever scored.”

Abby Wambach added to the lead, and her total, in the 78th minute. Amy Rodriguez, having just come into the game, played a through ball to the top of the box. Wambach slotted the ball into the lower right corner. This was the 99th career goal for Abby Wambach.

The US played Sweden next. It was the first time they played them in Sweden. It was also the first time head coach Pia Sundhage coached the US against her own country.

The US came out on top with a goal from Carli Lloyd. She played a corner kick short to Tarpley, who passed it back to Lloyd, who dribbled into the box through 3 defenders, and took a shot from 15 yards out which was deflected by a defender into the left corner.

The USA will re-group in Commerce City, Colorado for the first of 2 send-off games against Brazil. They play on July 13 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park at 2 pm MT. They will then head for San Diego, California, and play on July 16 at Torero Stadium on the campus of the University of San Diego at 7 pm PT.

18 in search of Gold

2008-06-29 16:12:31

US head coach Pia Sundhage has named the 18 players that will compete in this year's Olympics, plus four alternates. She chose the final roster after the USA defeated Canada at the Peace Queen Cup.

The four alternates named were goalkeeper Briana Scurry, defender Ali Krieger, midfielder Kacey White, and forward Lauren Cheney.

Nine of the players on the roster were part of the team that won the gold in Athens, Greece four years ago. Two of them are playing in their third Olympics, team captains Christie Rampone and Kate Markgraf. The other seven players who played n Athens are Heather Mitts, Shannon Boxx, Angela Hucles, Aly Wagner, Heather O'Reilly, Lindsay Tarpley, and Abby Wambach.

Six players are playing in their second world championshi with the first being the 2007 World Cup in China. They are Nicole Barnhart, Hope Solo, Lori Chalupny, Stephanie Cox, Carli Lloyd, and Natasha Kai, who is also the first Hawaiian to make an Olympic women's soccer team.

The last three players on the roster are the younger players who are still in college, and are playing in their first-ever world championship. They are defender Rachel Buehler, midfielder Tobin Heath, and forward Amy Rodriguez.

Two players made late runs to earn their spot on the roster. Aly Wagner came back after recovering from a in double-hernia surgery January. She has only played in four games, all at the Peace Queen Cup. Stephanie Cox was released at the end of the team's training camp in June, but after Cat Whitehill tore her ACL in South Korea, she was called up again to join the team, and played well at the Peace Queen Cup.

Heather Mitts also came back from a torn ACL. She was injured in May 2007 in a game against Canada. She came back in late April for the three-game domestic tour.

All 22 players will travel to Europe for two games, against Norway on July 2, and Sweden on July 5. Only the 18 players on the roster will play in the two Olympic send-off matches against Brazil, July 13 at Dick's Sporting Goods Stadium in Commerce City, CO and July 16 at Torero Stadium in San Diego, CA, before heading over to China.

US Women's Olympic Soccer Team:

Goalkeepers (2): Nicole Barnhart, Hope Solo

Defenders (6): Rachel Buehler, Lori Chalupny, Stephanie Cox, Kate Markgraf, Heather Mitts, Christie Rampone

Midfielders (7): Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath, Angela Hucles, Carli Lloyd, Heather O'Reilly, Lindsay Tarpley, Aly Wagner

Forwards (3): Natasha Kai, Amy Rodriguez, Abby Wambach

Peace Queen Cup Champs!!!

2008-06-22 17:24:38

The US played Brazil on June 17 for the second game of group play. They played a very physical game in which Carli Lloyd got a broken nose in the first half, Abby Wambach got hurt and came down on a bad collision-which is very rare for her, and a few more players got bad bruises. The US still played tough and came out on top on their revenge match with a score of 1-0.

The goal came in the 42nd minute. Wagner took a free kick that the Brazilian defense couldn't get to and collided, leaving the ball bouncing around near the goal. Amy Rodriguez shot the ball, and the Brazilian keeper got a hand to it, but deflected the ball into the top left corner.

On June 19, the USA played against Italy, and Abby Wambach came up big. She scored both goals for the USA, giving them the 2-0 win and the spot in the final. The first goal was scored on a great dribbling run. She ran down the left flank and shot the ball from a tough angle, into the lower left corner. The second goal was a header (big surprise). Carli Lloyd took a corner kick and Wambach got her head on it from 5 yards out.

The Peace Queen Cup final was played between the USA and Canada, just like the one in 2006. The score was also 1-0. The goal came in at the end of the match. It seemed the champion would be decided by going over time, but midfielder Angela Hucles got the game-winning goal on a free kick. She played the ball into the box for Lauren Cheney. The ball went too far, but Cheney made a run for it, missed the ball, but distracted the Canadian keeper, and the ball went just under her arms into the net.

The US had another chance to score when Heather Mitts kicked the ball to the top left corner, but hit the crossbar.

Hope Solo was playing one of the best games of her career. She made an incredible save right at the beginning of the match.She made a few more saves in the first half. In the second half, she made even more great saves that kept the USA in the game. At the end of the match she made two game-preserving saves. One was a dive to her left to grab the ball in the air going towards Randee Hermus for a header. Then she pushed away the ball over the crossbar on a great kick from Sinclair.

Angela Hucles took the gold ball for MVP, and Abby Wambach took the bronze boot and ball.

The USA won the fourth tournament this year, and now they are headed back home before playing Sweden and Norway, then Brazil twice, and then heading over to China for the Olympics.

USA gets first win of Peace Queen Cup

2008-06-15 16:33:44

The US Women left the States on June 8 and arrived in Seoul, North Korea on June 9 after a 12-hour flight, giving defender Heather Mitts her shortest birthday ever- 3 hours long. The team got to training the next morning to get over the jet lag.

On June 10, during training, defender Cat Whitehill tore the anterior cruciate ligament on her left knee. She flew back to the US, and Stephanie Cox flew to North Korea to take her spot. Cat Whitehill will miss the Olympics, along with Leslie Osborne, who also tore her ACL.

The US got their first win against Australia, who always fights a full 90-minutes and gives the US a good challenge. Kai scored the first goal in the 35th minute. Heather O'Reilly ran down the flank, creating space to pass the ball into the box. Kai slipped and poked the ball into the lower corner of the goal, giving the USA the lead.

Australia tied the game in the 57th minute when Amy Chapman chipped in a cross from the right wing into a group of US defenders, but Heather Garriock got a foot on it, giving the ball a weird spin, past Hope Solo, into the lower right corner.

The US got back on the board in the 77th minute when halftime substitute Aly Wagner took a corner kick from the left side. Abby Wambach jumped higher than the two Australians defending her with her back to the goal, and scored with the back of her head. This was Wambach's 96th goal.

The US will have one day of rest, which really won't be a day of rest. The few players that didn't play will hit the field for about an our, while those who did play will have a pool workout.

The US plays Brazil, who beat Italy 2-1, in the second group match on June 17 at 1 am ET, before facing Italy on the final group match.

Kai's goal.

Wambach's goal

Peace Queen Cup

2008-06-07 01:53:52

The WNT ended their 2-week training camp on Monday, June 2. Head coach Pia Sundhage has chosen a 22-player roster that will travel to Seoul, South Korea next weekend. This was the final chance for some players to make an impact on the coaching staff, and have a chance to play at the Olympics, as 18 players will be chosen from the Peace Queen Cup roster.

Group A is made up of South Korea, New Zealand, Canada, and Argentina. Group B includes USA, Italy, Brazil, and Australia.

The US will play Australia on June 15, Brazil on June 17, and Italy on June 19.

The championship game will be played on June 21 between the first-place teams of each group.

Pia Sundhage chose a roster made up of 3 goalkeepers, defenders, 8 midfielder, and 4 forwards.

Goalkeepers: Hope Solo, Nicole Barnhart, Briana Scurry

Defenders: Christie Rampone, Kate Markgraf, Cat Whitehill, Heather Mitts, Lori Chalupny, Rachel Buehler

Midfielders: Aly Wagner, Angela Hucles, Shannon Boxx, Carli Lloyd, Heather O'Reilly, Lindsay Tarpley, Tobin Heath, Kacey White

Forwards: Abby Wambach, Natasha Kai, Amy Rodriguez, Lauren Cheney

This is the second edition of the tournament, in which the US defeated Canada, 1-0, in the first-ever Peace Queen Cup.

Beijing 2008 - The Battle for The Olympic Gold is about to begin

2008-05-31 04:58:41

The US Women are back to training camp to prepare for the Peace Queen Cup in South Korea. This is the last tournament they will participate in before heading to China for the 2008 Olympics.

The Women's Olympic Football Tournament Draw was held on April 20. The twelve teams that will compete in the Olympics were placed in their groups: Group E consists of China (host), Sweden, Argentina, and Canada; Group F is made up of Korea DPR, Nigeria, two-time world champion Germany, and Brazil who placed second at the 2007 Women's World Cup; and the finally Group G which includes Norway, USA, Japan, and New Zealand.

The USA will face Norway first on group play, on August 6. Then they will play against Japan on August 9, and finally New Zealand on August 12.

The team that finishes first on their group will then move on to the quarter finals, along with the two best third-place teams.

In order for the US WNT to win the silver, or gold medal, they will have to advance to the final four.

The US has won two Olympic Gold Medals since the first Women's Soccer Olympic tournament in 1996. They defeated Norway in sudden death overtime at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, GA. They also won at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, defeating Brazil. The US also won the silver medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney Australia after losing to Norway on the championship game in overtime with a score of 2-3 .

This will be the fourth Olympic soccer tournament for women.

USA Womens National Soccer Team: The Best Team You've Never Heard Of

2008-05-22 17:02:36

First of all I have an announcement to make.

With the addition of more and more bloggers I feel now comfortable enough to pass the ball to other extremely competent writers and let them be responsible for bringing you the news about the U.S. Mens National Team and The MLS.

*For news about the U.S. Mens National Team I recommend the blog DON'T TREAD ON ME by hoosierhooligan1.

*And to know what's going on with the Major League Soccer you guys can check the blog A LOOK INSIDE THE MLS published by emmandemm

*****

As for this BLOG it will focus from now on EXCLUSIVELY on the US Womens National Team and in news about Womens Soccer here in the USA.

So let's start!

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USA Women's National Soccer Team back to camp in California

After playing (and winning) the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying and playing a series of friendly matches against Australia and Canada, the team returned to the Home Depot Training Center in Carson, California to continue their preparation for the Beijing Olympic Games.

27 players were called by coach Pia Sundhadge to be part of the camp as a preparation for the Peace Queen Cup to be played in South Korea next month but only 20 will actually go to the tournament.

The U.S. will play Australia (June 15), Brazil (June 17) and Italy (June 19). If they finish as first of the group the girls will play for the Peace Queen Cup title on June 21.

The stats of the US Womens Team are excellent so far this year. The team played 14 matches, won 13 and tied only 1 (against Canada in the CONCACAF Cup Final - the US won in the PK Shootout).

48 goals scored and 10 allowed. And recovering the first place in the FIFA Ranking.

The USA Ladies seem to be back with full force after the elimination (and the controversy) in last year's World Cup.

US Women's Team has to sweat against Costa Rica for a ticket to the 2008 Olympic Games

2008-04-10 01:02:13

The U.S. Women's soccer team is with no doubts, an example of how much the sport can develop if investments and dedication are put together. That was used as an inspiration by many other countries to create a favorable environment for women's soccer around the world.

Who could ever imagine 10 years, or even 5 years ago, that Costa Rica would become a tough challenge in the USA's path for the 2008 Olympic Games?

Not that the Costa Ricans played beautifully or anything but they worked out as well as they could defensively in order to stop Lindsay Tarpley, Natasha Kai, Carly Lloyd and Abby Wambach. And should we mention the great performance by goalkeeper Priscilla Tapia.

The US Women's Team created inumerous chances to score but most of them ended up blocked by the bunked Costa Rican defense or saved by Tapia.

But in the end the intense attack paid off. In the 58th minute Natasha Kai received a low cross from Tobin Heath - who had replaced Lindsay Tarpley in the beginning of second half - and the Hawaiian smacked it hard into the goal! USA 1, Costa Rica 0

The United Statyes kept their players up, pressuring Costa Rica's defense and at minute 73 Natasha Kai headed a cross from Carly Lloyd, Pricilla Tapia couldn't hold it and the ball found Heather O'Reilly's foot. USA 2, Costa Rica 0.

Only then the Ticas decided to risk some attacking plays forcing Hope Solo to work a little.

And with a little bit more space and the speed of Amy Rodriguez on the field (she came in for Abby Wambach), the USA scored again on added time. Natasha Kai (the name of the game in my opinion) received a pass from Angela Hucles and slammed the ball into the goal.

3-0 the final score. The Costa Ricans showed a lot of improvement but it's the USA that gets their ticket to the 2008 Olympic Games. Now they play again on sunday for the CONCACAF title against the winner of Canada x Mexico.

Beijing, here we go!!!

Let's GO USA!!! Let's win this third Gold Medal!!!

THIS IS HUGE - Thierry Henry to New York Red Bulls x Josmer Altidore to Barcelona

2008-04-09 17:01:55

A huge rumor is going around this morning when many media vehicles annouced the possibily of a trade between Barcelona and the New York Red Bulls involving Thierry Henry and young american striker Jozy Altidore.

All I have to say is that I truly believe the possibily exists for the deal.

Thierry Henry is unhappy at the Catalan club and Barcelona is open to hear offers for him. One of the clubs that showed interest in the french striker was new MLS franchise Seattle Sounders FC but it seems that the New York RedBulls has something else to offer Barcelona.

18-year old American striker Jozy Altidore, that has already been in the eyes of Real Madrid last year, would be traded for Henry with Barcelona.

Henry, who is 30 years old, would certainly become the second most famous player on the mLS (after David Beckham) and very possibly the most sucessful one. The league and soccer in the USA in general, lack of talented strikers and if Henry plays all he is capable of he will certainly destroy defenses here.

I would definetly love to see that happen.

So here it is... it's a rumor but HEY, many people didn't believe when Galaxy announced that Beckham was coming either.

Do you believe in it?

Will we see this scene? Henry smiling again wearing the RedBulls jersey

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Breakthrough News - Teams that the U.S. Soccer Team might face in the 2010 World Cup Qualifying Groups

2008-04-07 17:54:31

Hi Everyone,

As I posted before, the U.S. Men's National Team will play a two-legged match against Barbados as part of the CONCACAF 2010 World Cup Qualifying.

So here are the other matches that will define the teams that will move to the next goup stage. All the matches will be played in a two-leg system. The dates are: First Leg Matches -> June 14 and 15; Second Leg Matches -> June 21 and 22.

Our sources also confirmed the schedule for the USA Mens National Soccer Team after they demolish Barbados (any doubts?) and if the other favourites also win their matches as expected.

If that all happen, the US Soccer will be placed in a group with Guatemala, Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago

The dates will then be:

Aug. 20th Guatemala (away)
Sept 6 or 7 Cuba (away)
Sept 10 Trinidad (home)
Oct 11 Cuba (home)
Oct 15 Trinidad (away)
Nov 19 Guatemala (home)