U.S. Women National Team set sights on SheBelieves Cup

The U.S. women’s national team begins play in this year’s SheBelieves Cup, Wednesday against Germany.

The tournament also features France and England.

England open the tournament against France on Wednesday (1 p.m. FOX Sports GO). The U.S. will follow against Germany at 4 p.m. on FS1.

The teams will then move to New Jersey for March 4 action. France faces Germany (11:15 a.m. FOX Sports GO), followed by the U.S and Englad at 2 p.m. on FOX.

The tournament concludes March 7 at RFK Stadium as Germany takes on England (1 p.m. FOX Sports GO), followed by the U.S. and France (4 p.m., FS1).

“We’ve now had two camps together this year and I’ve seen some good things across the board,” U.S. Women’s National Team coach Jill Ellis said. “Now we’re looking to translate that into three games against fantastic opponents. We will be greatly tested and these are the moments where you learn the most about yourself which is exactly what we need right now.”

Here is the final roster for the U.S.

U.S. Women’s National Team 2017 SheBelieves Cup Roster:
GOALKEEPERS (3):
Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Ashlyn Harris (Orlando Pride), Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)

DEFENDERS (6): Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), Ali Krieger (Orlando Pride), Kelley O’Hara (Sky Blue FC), Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars), Emily Sonnett (Portland Thorns FC)

MIDFIELDERS (8): Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Horan (Portland Thorns FC), Rose Lavelle (Boston Breakers), Carli Lloyd (Manchester City), Allie Long (Portland Thorns FC), Samantha Mewis (NC Courage), Brianna Pinto (CASL)

FORWARDS (6): Crystal Dunn (Chelsea Ladies FC), Jessica McDonald (NC Courage), Alex Morgan (Olympique Lyonnais), Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), Mallory Pugh (UCLA), Lynn Williams (NC Courage)

 

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The Orange County Soccer Club announces new signings

The Orange County Soccer Club announced the signing of former Seattle Sounders

Orange County Soccer Club

goalkeeper Charlie Lyon, former Galaxy II defender Joe Franco and Santa Ana native Amirgy Pineda.

Lyon, who attended Marquette University, spent the previous two years with the Sounders, playing mostly with Sounders 2.

Franco, 27, joined Galaxy II in 2014 and helped lead the club to the Western Conference title in 2015. He played with Miami FC of the NASL last year.

Pineda, 19, was born and raised in Santa Ana. He trained at the Nike Academy in England and was eventually signed to the LA Galaxy Academy.

The club opens preseason play, Saturday at LMU (1 p.m.). The regular season begins May 6 against Galaxy II.

 

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Galaxy facing injury concerns as preseason continues

The start of the 2017 season is quickly approaching and the Galaxy might be without two returning starters for the March 4 opener.

Forward Gyasi Zardes, who missed the end of the regular season after suffering a broken bone in his right foot in August, recently had “minor” surgery on his right knee, coach Curt Onalfo confirmed Tuesday.

Zardes originally injured the knee during training camp with the U.S. Men’s National Team, forcing him to miss the two friendlies against Serbia and Jamaica.

“He’s progressing fine with his rehab,” Onalfo said. “Hopefully, he’ll be able to start moving early next week.”

Defender Robbie Rogers is bothered by an ankle injury that has kept him off of the training field.

“He’s still recovering from his ankle surgery,” Onalfo said of Rogers. “I don’t anticipate him to be available to start the season.”

Rafael Garcia has replaced Rogers at right back in each of the two preseason games so far.

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Jermaine Jones feeling fine ahead of upcoming season

The Galaxy 2017 season could hinge on the health of midfielder Jermaine Jones.

Jones, 35, joined the club after a shortened 2016 with the Colorado Rapids. Jones played in just five regular season games last year and four playoff appearances. He totaled three goals and two assists.

He’s played 45 minutes in the Galaxy’s first preseason game and 62 in last Saturday’s game against San Jose.

As he prepares for the upcoming season, Jones said he’s feeling great.

“I really don’t feel 35,” Jones said Tuesday. “When you’re around with the young ones, you feel always young. Then I have five kids at home, they always keep me young too. I would say I’m 29-30, maybe.

“To be honest, I feel really good and I think my numbers always show that I’m still in the shape that I can go.”always feel young.”

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CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal, semifinal sites announced

The sites for the knockout rounds of the CONCACAF Gold Cup were announced Tuesday.

The quarterfinals will take place July 19 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and July 20 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

The Rose Bowl will host one of the semifinals, July 23, with the other taking place, July 22 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The final will take place July 26 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

The assigned groups and full schedule will be announced March 7

The group stage venues include: Red Bull Arena (New Jersey), Nissan Stadium (Nashville), Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego), BBVA Compass Stadium (Houston), Raymond James Stadium (Tampa), Sports Authority Field (Denver), Toyota Stadium (Frisco, Texas), FirstEnergy Stadium (Cleveland) and the Alamodome (San Antonio).

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Bruce Arena has options at goalkeeper for World Cup qualifiers

One of the key positions that the U.S. will need to iron out ahead of the March World Cup qualifiers is in goal.

Tim Howard is recovering from an injury. Brad Guzan is now with Middlesbrough, but not receiving consistent playing time. Nick Rimando had a great showing in the January training camp and friendlies.

“Brad Guzan is a very experienced goalkeeper, and as we saw in the case of Nick Rimando in January camp that experience means a lot,” Arena said on a conference call last week. “Because they’re not getting games on a consistent basis doesn’t mean you can rule him out. I think Brad has shown enough that he’s still a strong candidate to be our number one goalkeeper.

“In the case of Tim Howard, he’s moving along pretty well. I believe he’s 12 weeks out of surgery and the expectation for him was that his full recovery would be between 12 and 16 weeks, so he’s on schedule to hopefully start the first week of the M.L.S. season. Having said that, it could be off a couple weeks and perhaps he won’t be a candidate for March. Right now, he’s still in the picture and that’s a positive as well.”

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UEFA Champions League play returns Tuesday

The round of 16 begins Tuesday in UEFA Champions League play. Here are the match-ups:

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Barcelona at PSG

Borussia Dortmund at Benfica

(Second leg, March 8)

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Napoli at Real Madrid

Arsenal at Bayern Munich

(Second leg, March 7)

Tuesday, Feb. 21

Atletico Madrid at Bayer Leverkusen

AS Monaco at Manchester City

(Second leg, March 15)

Wednesday, Feb. 22

Leicester City at Sevilla FC

Juventus at FC Porto

(Second leg, March 14)

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