(L to R): The Group B coaches, Japan's Norio Sasaki, Denmark asst. Danny Jung, Norway head coach Eli Landsem and Pia
Representatives from all 12 teams participating in the Algarve Cup attended a press conference today, and as usual, not much of interest was said. (Coaches never seem to say much around other coaches, right?

Alex Morgan will be looking to add to her 16 career WNT goals against Denmark
The USA and Denmark will meet for the 24th time and 10th time in the Algarve Cup on Feb. 29 at 5 p.m. local/Noon ET in Lagos, Portugal.
For all the news and notes on the match, click here.

U.S. WNT head coach Pia Sundhage has named the 21 players who will suit up for the four 2012 Algarve Cup matches. She brought 23 players to Portugal so only goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris and defender Meghan Klingenberg (who suffered a slight ankle injury during training this week) will not suit up for the games.

They don't call her Lightning for nothing...

The USA's training in the Algarve is basically done as just one practice remains before the team opens the tournament on Feb. 29 against Denmark. Once the games start -- there will be four in eight days -- the USA does more recovery than training.

The USA's practice on Saturday consisted of a closed-door training match against China on a stunningly beautiful afternoon in the Algarve.
The 90-minute scrimmage featured different U.S. teams in each half with the Americans coming away with a 3-0 triumph on goals from Alex Morgan, Heather O'Reilly and Sydney Leroux.

Heather O'Reilly, Amy LePeilbet and Becky Sauerbrunn at training in the Algarve

The U.S. WNT and Denmark -- the Americans first Algarve Cup opponent this year -- have a long history at this tournament dating back to 1995.
That was the year Denmark picked up its lone Algarve Cup victory over the USA, a 2-0 decision.

Former U.S. WNT midfielder Angela Hucles is headed to Morocco
Some former U.S. WNT (and MNT) players will be fanning out across the globe as part of the "Empowering Women and Girls Through Sports Initiative," sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

If you were a goalkeeper, what would you do if you saw this situation taking shape in front of you?
a) Come for the ball and take your punishment
b) Call "Awaaaaaaaaay!"
c) Drop back to your line and hope she misses
d) Fake a pulled calf muscle
e) Just try to get a fist on the ball for a punch, and after the dust clears, get the license plate number and hope all your limbs are still attached

After several years of cloudy weather here in the Algarve during the USA's pre-tournament preparation, the warm sunshine has been more than welcome, especially after two straight freezing events -- the Olympic Qualifying in Vancouver, Canada (thankfully played all indoors) and a frigid week in Dallas (almost colder than Canada.

On the first full day in the Algarve for the U.S. WNT, the team of course had a full day. That means weights, training and a meeting. The squad seems to have, for the most part, shook of the malaise of the travel and had a 90-minute training on a beautiful afternoon.
Here are a few pics from training.

Lauren Cheney, here talking to Asst. Coach Jill Ellis, had a breakout tournament at the Algarve Cup in 2010
Considering the U.S. WNT has played 63 matches all-time at the Algarve Cup, it's no surprise that more than a few young players have made their debuts at this annual tournament in Portugal.

The U.S. WNT has arrived in the Algarve region on the southern coast of Portugal for its annual trip to the Algarve Cup, a tournament that is always competitive and has been a proving ground for numerous young U.S. players over the years.
The travel day is long, especially for those coming from the West Coast, but the six-hour flight from New Jersey and three-hour bus ride south to the southern coast of the country is pretty easy considering some of the trips this team takes.

The U.S. WNT will depart for the Algarve region of Portugal next week in preparation for the 19th Annual Algarve Cup, a tournament that has become a fixture in the USA's yearly schedule and soccer culture.
U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage will bring 23 players to Portugal and choose 21 for the tournament roster.

The U.S. WNT has a few days off before reconvening for the Algarve Cup next week. That means: a few days back home, a few days to relax and conveniently it's right around Valentine's Day! Before the players left Texas, we asked a few what their ideal Valentine's Day plans would be!
U.S. midfielder Tobin Heath:
"I think simpler the better.

As the U.S. WNT has done more than a few times under Pia Sundhage, they left it late and got the job done, scoring twice in the last five minutes of the game to come from behind and defeat a gusty New Zealand side by a 2-1 score. The sell-out crowd of 20,677 was the largest to watch the U.

As the U.S. WNT has done more than a few times under Pia Sundhage, they left it late and got the job done, scoring twice in the last five minutes of the game to come from behind and defeat a gusty New Zealand side by a 2-1 score. The sell-out crowd of 20,677 was the largest to watch the U.

U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage has named the 18 players that will suit up against New Zealand tomorrow at 3 p.m. CT at FC Dallas Stadium. The game is expected to be a sell-out in the 20,500-seat venue and the U.S. players are looking forward to a fantastic Texas reception.
U.S. Roster vs. New Zealand
Feb.

Hope Solo denies an Alex Morgan blast
Can't say there is much to report from U.S. WNT training in chilly Frisco, Texas. All the players are healthy and gunning for spots on the 18-player roster for the New Zealand game, but since there's not much new, we decided to put together a top-10 What's New?

The beginning of a U.S. WNT camp inevitably features the Beep Test, the USA's endurance/fitness test that involves running back and forth between cones -- and beeps -- with the time between beeps getting shorter as the players advance through the test. Suffice it to say, it hurts, but the U.

Lauren Cheney gets a step on Amy Lepeilbet, but Hope Solo stands between her and the goal
After a brief week-long break since winning the 2012 Olympic Women's Qualifying Tournament in Canada, the U.S. team has re-grouped in Frisco, Texas for a five days of training before facing New Zealand on Saturday, Feb.