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Pia Sundage Names U.S. Roster For Algarve
The U.S. women are gearing up for their first major tournament since the 2008 Olympics.
Feb 5, 2009 8:50:24 PM
Following a 17-day training camp at The
Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., U.S. Women’s National Team head
coach Pia Sundhage has
named an 18-player roster for the 2009 Algarve Cup, from March 4-11
in southern Portugal.
The U.S. team, which has been placed into Group B at the annual tournament, will open play on March 4 against Denmark, face Iceland on March 6 and finish the first-round against Norway on March 9. Group A features Germany, Sweden, China and Finland. Group C consists of Portugal, Poland, Wales and first-time participant Austria.
“The Algarve Cup is always an important tournament and is especially good for the U.S. as we get to play the top European countries,” said Sundhage.
After their Olympic triumph of 2008, Sundhage indicated that this would be a transition period for the U.S. squad, especially since many players are focused on the success of Women's Professional Soccer, the new league.
"We will not play as many matches this year as we did in 2008, so these games are important to keep the team evolving, in defending but especially in the attack," Sundage said. "These games will test our ability to play our style while developing a rhythm that helps make our attack unpredictable and involves a lot of different players and positions. Of course, we are bringing some young players to the tournament this year and it will be great to get them some experience in these kinds of games.”
GOALKEEPERS: Nicole Barnhart (FC Gold Pride), Hope Solo (6) (St. Louis Athletica);
DEFENDERS: 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 : 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: Angela Hucles (Boston Breakers), Natasha Kai (Sky Blue FC), Megan Rapinoe (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (Boston Breakers).
Goal.com
The U.S. team, which has been placed into Group B at the annual tournament, will open play on March 4 against Denmark, face Iceland on March 6 and finish the first-round against Norway on March 9. Group A features Germany, Sweden, China and Finland. Group C consists of Portugal, Poland, Wales and first-time participant Austria.
“The Algarve Cup is always an important tournament and is especially good for the U.S. as we get to play the top European countries,” said Sundhage.
After their Olympic triumph of 2008, Sundhage indicated that this would be a transition period for the U.S. squad, especially since many players are focused on the success of Women's Professional Soccer, the new league.
"We will not play as many matches this year as we did in 2008, so these games are important to keep the team evolving, in defending but especially in the attack," Sundage said. "These games will test our ability to play our style while developing a rhythm that helps make our attack unpredictable and involves a lot of different players and positions. Of course, we are bringing some young players to the tournament this year and it will be great to get them some experience in these kinds of games.”
GOALKEEPERS: Nicole Barnhart (FC Gold Pride), Hope Solo (6) (St. Louis Athletica);
DEFENDERS: 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 : 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: Angela Hucles (Boston Breakers), Natasha Kai (Sky Blue FC), Megan Rapinoe (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (Boston Breakers).
Goal.com
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