U.S. forward Abby Wambach suffered a gash on the left side of her forehead in the waning moments of the USA's semifinal loss last night to Mexico. The team medical staff had to insert several large staples to close the gushing wound, but there wasn't enough time left on the clock for her to get back on.

After dinner tonight, the U.S. WNT competed in their own version of Minute to Win It. The popular game show, which airs on NBC and is hosted by Guy Fieri, requires people to play decptively difficult games using household items and pulling off the feats in under 60 seconds. Assistant coach Erica Walsh put the contest together, obtaining all the materials to conduct the contest and dividing the 24 players into three teams of eight.

The U.S. Women's National Team defeated Mexico 1-0 on a goal from Abby Wambach at the one hour mark. It marked the first time in the USWNT's 26-year, 443-game history that the team has played a game in snow. ASN was there for this historic occasion. Our Salt Lake City photographer Julie Harper snapped the following photos.

Try the Wambach diet USA women striker Abby Wambach was helping fans to keep in shape before their match against China last week. During the pre-match warm-up, she managed a direct hit on a man making his way to his seat with his freshly purchased junk food. She's a bit like a more aggressive Jamie [.

Tonight, Abby Wambach and the USA Women's National Team faces Sweden just up the road in Omaha, NE. The match will be shown live on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. CT. If you leave now, you could still make it to Creighton in time for the match. If not, tune in tonight as our women prepare for the 2011 Women's World Cup CONCACAF Qualifying.

U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage has named the 18 players who will suit up tomorrow against Germany in the match broadcast live on ESPN2 at 6 p.m. ET. And here they are:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Nicole Barnhart (FC Gold Pride), Hope Solo (St. Louis Athletica)

DEFENDERS (7): Rachel Buehler (FC Gold Pride), Stephanie Cox (Boston Breakers), Ali Krieger (FFC Frankfurt), Amy LePeilbet (Boston Breakers), Kate Markgraf (Chicago Red Stars), Heather Mitts (Philadelphia Independence), Brittany Taylor (Sky Blue FC)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Yael Averbuch (Sky Blue FC), Shannon Boxx (St.

U.S. WNT head coach Pia Sundhage has named the 20-player roster for the 2010 CONCACAF Women's World Cup Qualifying tournament in Mexico. A few surprises perhaps, but it's also stocked with experience. Sundhage seems to have put together a nice mix of veterans and young players as well as a balanced squad strong in both the attack and defense.

PSP

Some of the work that PSP photographer Nicolae Stoian did with Photographers for Hope at the 2010 Homeless World Cup is on display at UEFA's House of European Football in Nyon. You can view photos from the show on UEFA's website.

Union

Jack McInerney talks about his motivation during his recent USMNT U-20 call up and the chemistry he has with Amobi Okugo: "Everywhere we go, we're right there with each other," McInerney said.

Hope, Carli, & Amy all agree the new USWNT kits look much better than the men's

This post will be quick as I'm spending the weekend in rainy San Diego (you stay classy) to visit my sister... and her wine collection.

The USWNT are taking the Algarve Cup competition by storm.

The USA's training today was a scrimmage against South Korea, and although it was chilly, playing on grass helped the U.S. to a much better performance than the practice game on turf against the Koreans a few days ago. The USA won 4-0 as Abby Wambach scored the first goal and young Casey Nogueira then notched a true hat trick, the final goal being the best of the Trifecta as she headed in a perfect cross from Yael Averbuch after a splendid U.

The U.S. WNT lifts weights at least twice a week when the squad is together and today's morning training session was in the weight room under the supervision of strength and fitness coach Dawn Scott. We snapped a few pics in case you wanted some tips on building the physique of a U.S. WNT player (which by the way, come in all shapes and sizes).

Here are some photos from the WPS All-Star Game week in Atlanta, Ga. on Monday June 28 and Tuesday, June 29. Tune in to the WPS All-Star Game on Fox Soccer Channel on Wednesday, June 30th, at 7:30pm ET to catch teams Abby XI and Marta XI in action!

WPS Sunday on FSC announcer Jenn Hildreth and WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci prepare for the All-Star Pick 'Em Event on June 28, 2010.

Pia Sundhage will leave no stones unturned, people! Today, the preliminary roster for the USWNT training camp that will determine the (from what I understand) two different sets of eighteen players for two separate friendlies against China in October... was announced today. And, as various WPS teams get kicked out of the playoffs, Pia will then nab a few from those squads as well.

If you were watching ESPN's SportsCenter or PTI today, you might have seen a clip of Abby Wambach hitting a guy in the stands with an errant shot during warm-ups for yesterday's match vs. China. The shot just got away from Abby, but she hit it pretty hard, and it flew into the stands and pegged the dude in the arm/back, causing his hot dog to flip out of his grasp and onto the ground.

At the USA's weight training session this morning, fitness coach Dawn Scott decided to surprise the team with a competition. She divided the squad into threes for a triathlon of sorts, with one teammate running one mile on the treadmill, one teammate rowing one kilometer on the rowing machine and the last teammate riding one mile on the stationary bike.

Try the Wambach diet USA women striker Abby Wambach was helping fans to keep in shape before their match against China last week. During the pre-match warm-up, she managed a direct hit on a man making his way to his seat with his freshly purchased junk food. She's a bit like a more aggressive Jamie [.

Morgan, the meat in this celebration sandwich.The 21-year-old USWNTer has a flair for the dramatic, alright. The only college player on coach Pia Sundhage's World Cup qualifying roster has swapped classes in sweatpants for game-saving goals. Morgan, a junior at the University of California, has already, in her seven-cap National Team career, saved the Lady Nats' bacon twice.

Deadly finisher, incredibly humble.

On November 20th, 2010, Alex Morgan scored an injury time winner against Italy in the first leg of the USWNT World Cup playoff match, to give the U.S. the critical away goal, and a 1-0 lead going home.

Quickly becoming the scorer of vital goals (her first against China ensured the USWNT's undefeated home record), she's the youngest player on the current USWNT squad.

Hinchas de Bari con banderas durante un partido contra el Milan en el estadio San Nicola en Bari 21 de febrero 2010. AC Milan ganó por 2-0. REUTERS / Alessandro Bianchi.
Abby Wambach (R) de los EE.UU. lucha por el balón con Caroline Seger de Suecia durante el partido de sus mujeres de fútbol Copa Algarve en Ferreiras 01 de marzo 2010.

Camille Abily will shine for the Sol no more.

Camille Abily and the 20th overall draft pick was traded to FC Gold Pride today in exchange for the Pride's top draft pick of 2009, Tina DiMartino (third overall), the 14th overall selection in the 2010 draft and the rights to one of the Pride's 2009 International Discovery Players.

Three members of the 2009 Colorado Force were selected in Friday's Women's Professional Soccer draft, including the University of Colorado's Nikki Marshall, who was taken by the Washington with the seventh overall pick.

The Force also had two central defenders drafted. The University of Kansas' Estelle Johnson went to Los Angeles in the third round, and Nebraska standout Carly Peetz was taken in the sixth round by Boston.

Sure, everyone loves a flashy goal scorer or a hard-nosed defender, and don't forget that relentless midfielder who keeps going and going and going. But when it comes down to it, who puts more on the line when it comes to using every single part of their body to keep the ball from going into the net?

CHICAGO (Feb. 11, 2009) – Following a 20-day training camp at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., U.S. Women's National Team head coach Pia Sundhage has named a 19-player roster for the 2010 Algarve Cup in Portugal.

This year's tournament is being staged a week earlier than normal and will run from Feb.

The United States Women won the 2010 Algarve Cup on Wednesday, beating Germany 302 in Faro, Portugal. Carli Lloyd had the first US goal in the 18th minute. Abby Wambach made it 2-0 in the 22nd. Inka Grings got a goal back for Germany in the 40th. Lauren Cheney scored the third US goal in the 69th-minute.

The U.S. Women's National Team got goals from Carli Lloyd, Abby Wambach and Lauren Cheney to defeat Germany 3-2 and claim the 2010 Algarve Cup title. The win marked the seventh time the USA has won the tournament and sixth time in the last eight years. The U.S. has been in the final every year since 2002.

FARO, Portugal (March 3, 2010) – The U.S. Women's National Team scored twice in the first half and once in the second to defeat Germany 3-2 in the championship game of the 2010 Algarve Cup.

Carli Lloyd's goal in the 18th minute was followed by a powerful header from Abby Wambach four minutes later, staking the U.

The U.S. Women's National Team lost a penalty kick shootout to Sweden in the championship game of the 2009 Algarve Cup after the match ended dramatically with a 1-1 score in regulation. Shannon Boxx equalized in the 90th minute and the match went directly to penalty kicks, where the USA lost 4-3 after seven shooters.

The US women's national soccer team will be back in action after defeating Germany 3-2 for the Algarve Cup title in Portugal on Feb. 3. Head coach Pia Sundhage has named the 24 players that will take on Mexico in two friendly matches. The first game will be on Sunday, Mar. 28 at Torero Stadium (University of San Diego) at 2pm PT and will be aired live on FSC.

With the MLS player's strike averted, youth players will have the option of attending or watching many soccer games this spring. It is important for youth players to watch professional in actions so they can learn from and emulate their actions on the field.

Caption this?

I spent my Thursday evening watching The Worst Name In Footballâ„¢ i.e. the Bay Area WPS team beat the grossly unmatched University of San Francisco 10-0. Today, number 1 in the world, USA, beat number 22, Mexico. Mexico did come out strong and certainly did hold their own but ummm 0 shots on goal versus 10, 3 goals versus 0.

The first-ever WNT game played in snow was certainly a memorable one, if not for the crazy conditions then for the snow angels the U.S. team proceeded to make after scoring the lone goal of the game in the 60th minute. That goal was the 105th of Abby Wambach's increasingly historic career, tying her with the great Michelle Akers for third on the USA's all-time scoring list.

So UConn survived a small first-half scare from Notre Dame and are now set to face West Virginia in the Big East Final tonight (7PM ET). They also secured their 71st straight victory eclipsing the streak that ended in 2003. It's kind scary to think about how long this might go on ...

Pia has called Lil back into camp .

Shea Groom, Liberty Blue Jays (2010) from Liberty Tribune

CHICAGO (May 13, 2010) — In its 25th year of honoring the nation's best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN RISE, today announced Shea Groom of Liberty High School as its 2009-10 Gatorade Missouri Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

Drama in Atlanta, Abby Wambach doing her thing with a broken nose, Marta continuing to rip through defenses, Chicago struggling to find the net, and a draw in St. Louis are the main stories of Week 6 of Women's Professional Soccer.

The first game took place on Friday in Boston as the breakers faced FC Gold Pride.

The Philadelphia Independence lost 2-1 to the Washington Freedom on Sunday. The Independence gave up a 25th minute goal to and a 34th minute penalty kick to Abby Wambach to fall into third place, two points behind the Freedom. Caroline Seger was sent off in the 87th and Lianne Sanderson scored the consolation goal for the Independence in extra time.

Chicago Red Stars defender Kate Markgraf (Whitefish Bay) was named as a reserve for the Women's Professional Soccer All-Star Game.

The June 30 game in Kennesaw, Ga., will follow a unique format, with the two elected team captains picking the teams along with coaches.

Washington Freedom forward Abby Wambach and Philadelphia Independence coach Paul Riley will select one squad, while forward Marta and coach Albertin Montoya – both of FC Gold Pride – will choose the other.

The starting lineups for the 2010 WPS All-Star Game presented by U.S. Coast Guard Reserve were selected Monday evening in front of a vocal and boisterous crowd at the WPS All-Star Pick ‘Em Event in downtown Atlanta. The WPS All-Star Game, which takes place Wednesday at KSU Soccer Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga.

One moment you're hot.

The next moment you're not.

After scoring seven goals at home in two games while only conceding one, the Philadelphia Independence lost to the last-place Washington Freedom on Wednesday night 2–0. The Independence have only two road wins on the season with three losses and two draws.

The only thing cooler than making a roster for a Women's World Cup qualifying tournament is making it to an actual Women's World Cup, but the former can often lead to the latter, which is why the upcoming training camp for the U.S. Women's National Team is so important. U.S.head coach Pia Sundhage has called in 30 players to the camp, although several will be arriving at different times during the training period due to the WPS playoffs.

The Super Semifinal in the WPS Playoffs is over, and no matter if the winning goal was scored with a hand or not, the final 2-1 result for the Philly Independence means that six Boston Breakers will be joining U.S. WNT camp on Sunday. The USA will say hello to Lauren Cheney, Stephanie Cox, Amy LePeilbet, Kristine Lilly, Alyssa Naeher and Lindsay Tarpley.