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Coach Pia Sundhage has begun the youth movement needed to rebuild the U.S. Women's National Team, dumping veteran goalkeeper Brianna Scurry for next month's Algarve Cup in Portugal and bringing in Nicole Barnhart (four caps).
Although 15 of the 20-player roster were on last year's World Cup squad, including Torrance's Shannon Boxx, Sundhage has also brought in the likes of UCLA's Lauren Cheney and USC striker Amy Rodriguez. Uncapped defender Rachel Buehler gets her first tournament call-up, while at age 19 defender Tobin Heath is the youngest player on the roster.
From the U.S. Soccer press release:
The U.S. opens play March 5 against China, faces Norway on March 7 and finishes the first round against Italy on March 10.The U.S. will use this tournament as final preparation for 2008 CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying, which will be held April 2-13 in Mexico.
“The Algarve Cup is a very important tournament for several reasons,” said Sundhage. “First, it is excellent preparation for the Olympic qualification, especially playing four difficult matches in eight days. That is a test of our fitness, our mental toughness and also our depth. But also, like we faced in the Four Nations Tournament in China, it gives the team a chance to play against three very good teams in the group who all play different styles, and that is fantastic for the development of our team rhythm, as well as for our young players getting experience at a big tournament.”
The roster, with caps/goals: Goalkeepers Nicole Barnhart (4), Hope Solo (54); defenders Rachel Buehler (0/0), Stephanie Cox (33/0), Tobin Heath (2/0), Kate Markgraf (168/0), Christie Rampone (179/4), Cat Whitehill (123/11); midfielders Shannon Boxx (80/18), Lori Chalupny (56/6), Angela Hucles (72/5), Carli Lloyd (47/10), Leslie Osborne (55/2), Lindsay Tarpley (82/21), Angie Woznuk (3/1), Lauren Cheney (4/2), Natasha Kai (35/8), Heather O’Reilly (75/15), Amy Rodriguez (8/2), Abby Wambach (108/86).
Preps news from the Daily Breeze is here and here.
The Long Beach Press-Telegram has this report on girls soccer.
Finally, thanks to those who voted in Tuesday's poll that asked whether the EPL should play games overseas. Interesting to see how divided fans are on this one. (And yes, you can still vote).
The last week has seen a heated global debate over a proposal to play regular season English Premier League games overseas, including the U.S.
Read this week's column for my take and the opinion of local players, then take the poll.
Comments welcome.
Updated: And the debate rolls on.
Good set of links with reaction, etc., on that page, too.
About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written 100 Percent Soccer since 2005. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer. Married to a long-suffering soccer widow, he has a cat named Pele.
Recent Comments
Lionel Messi on Tuesday's Column & U.S. Women Win: Nick, very interesting column. Thank you. I agree with most of what yo ...
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bz on USA Post-Game: Lionel, did you watch the game? Freddy Adu did not look that good. H ...
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Lionel Messi on U.S. Squad For Opening World Cup Qualifier in Carson Announced: This is what I mean about Bradley hating Adu. If Bradley measured Eddi ...
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Nick Green on U.S. Squad For Opening World Cup Qualifier in Carson Announced: Nick replies: U.S. Soccer officials inform me that "red cards carry ov ...