Highly experienced referees Kari Seitz, Margaret Domka and Marlene Duffy were selected to officiate the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying tournament being held from Jan. 20-29 in Vancouver, Canada.
Seitz and Duffy were selected to be officials at the tournament after a series of physical and technical tests at the CONCACAF Elite Referee Course.

Photo by Brad Smith/ISIphotos.com

For Charlie Davies, perhaps not securing a full transfer or loan extension was the best tactic to take this winter after all.

Davies has been included on Sochaux's first-team roster for the club's league game at Stade Rennes on Saturday, marking a major milestone for him and his quest to break back into the club's lineup.

TweetSeeing as the US Women's National Team are playing out in Portugal today, as part of the Algarve Cup, I thought I'll treat y'all to some pictures of striker Alex Morgan posing for Sports Illustrated in only body paint!... Sports Illustrated is something that we don't have on this side of the pond.

(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.

Photo by Bernd Feil/ISIphotos.com

Three wins, eight goals, none conceded and plenty to build off across three levels of U.S. Soccer.

It's safe to say that Feb. 29, 2012, went about as well as it could have if you're a U.S. Soccer player or fan.

The U.S.

The U.S. WNT takes on Japan in its third and final group match at the 2012 Algarve Cup in what will be the first meeting between the teams since the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final.
While there will be some extra emotions for sure in this match for the Americans, the focus is looking forward and that means getting a result against Japan that will send the U.

It seems that Pia Sundhage and the US Women's Team are still trying to figure out a magic winning concoction against formidable Japan! Unfortunately, the Americans lost 1-0 to them in the Algarve Cup yesterday- an annual highlight in the Women's football calendar.

The U.S. WNT finds itself in an unfamiliar postion -- the third-place game of the Algarve Cup after nine straight finals -- but still with an excellent match to end the tournament.
Sweden has had the USA's number for the past three matches with the Americans out-playing the fifth-ranked Swedes three times last year, and failing to win each time.

Margaret Domka officiated during Wednesday's 2012 Algarve Cup championship between Germany and Japan.

Though the U.S. Women's National Team came up short of playing in the 2012 Algarve Cup championship, there was a U.S. presence on the officiating side of the finale with Wisconsin native Margaret Domka serving as referee.

A hat-trick from Alex Morgan propelled the USWNT to a 4–0 win over Sweden to claim third place at the 2012 Algarve Cup on Wednesday.

But the thoughts of many US Soccer fans—and the team—surely lingered on the 1–0 loss to Japan on Monday in the first meeting of the two countries since the US lost to Japan in the 2011 Women's World Cup final.

Veteran U.S. Women's National Team and WPS midfielder Heather O'Reilly will join the Breakers this season in between National Team commitments, the club announced on Monday.

O'Reilly, who's won two gold medals with the National Team (2004 and 2008) and played in two World Cups (2007 and 2011), has been capped 155 times at the senior team level.

U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage has named the 23 players that will travel to Japan for two of the biggest non-Olympic, non-World Cup matches the U.S. WNT has played in recent history, taking on Japan on April 1 in Sendai (6:30 a.m. ET) and Brazil on April 3 in Chiba (7 a.m.)
Both matches will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Those of you who followed the Algarve Cup know that U.S. midfielder Tobin Heath broke a small bone in her left wrist against Denmark on Feb. 29 when she took a Dane-initiated tumble out of bounds onto a hard rubber surface outside the field. Heath didn't miss any action during the tournament (remember.

Photo: Michael Long

This time last year, the Philadelphia Independence were entering the end of preseason training. Now, players from the 2011 team—as well as new players who were announced or rumored to be joining the club before the 2012 WPS season was cancelled—are spread all over Europe and the US.

After qualifying for the 2012 Olympics by defeating Costa Rica in the semifinal, the U.S. WNT has just one more task at hand and it won't be an easy one. The Americans will face Canada in the championship game of the tournament in front of a crowd expected to be more than 20,000 screaming Canadians at BC Place on Sunday evening.

Shannon Smyth (Mequon/Milwaukee DSHA) was named to the Republic of Ireland squad for the Algarve Cup in Portugal.

The 24-year-old Smyth, who will start her second season with Amazon Grimstad FK in Norway's Toppserien in April, has six career caps. She has dual citizenship because her father, Brendan, was born and raised in Ireland.

Alex Morgan scored a pair for the U.S. Women's National Team as they overcame a 1-0 deficit to grab the win in stoppage time, 2-1.
Fun fact: The two headers in the 88th and 93rd minute meant that ten of her career 16 goals have come in the 80th minute or later.
An uncharacteristically poor backpass to second half goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart gave New Zealand the lead shortly after halftime (49th minute), but the sometimes sloppy Lady Nats found another victory in the jaws of defeat.

Photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com

After coming off a dominant run through CONCACAF Olympic qualifying, the U.S. women's national team had its hands full Saturday night with New Zealand before rising star Alex Morgan came to the rescue.

Morgan scored in the 88th minute and again in stoppage time to help the U.

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.

Photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com

U.S. women's national team coach Pia Sundhage has named a 23-player preliminary roster for the Algarve Cup in Portugal, and there are no surprises in the bunch.

Abby Wambach, Hope Solo and Alex Morgan are among the usual suspects who will compete in the tournament's Group B along with Denmark, Norway and defending World Cup champion Japan followed by a placement game from Feb.

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 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.

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.

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.

Abby Wambach will have a new title at the London Games.

Coach Pia Sundhage recently named the 31-year-old Wambach a co-captain of the U.S. women's soccer team- or essentially the vice-captain to team leader Christie Rampone.

It makes sense, given that the dominant striker was already the team's go-to spokeswoman and vocal locker room leader.

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.

Wednesday is most notable in U.S. Soccer circles because of the men's national team's friendly in Italy, but teams on three of the federation's other levels will be in action as well.

The women's national team kicks off its quest for a third consecutive Algarve Cup championship in Portugal, the U-23 men's team faces Mexico in the final friendly leading into next month's CONCACAF Olympic qualifying and the U-20 men's team faces the Montreal Impact reserve as Tab Ramos continues guiding his current camp down in Florida.

The international and domestic soccer calendars kick off in earnest this week. The local focus is on the Community Shield match this Wednesday between the Sounders and Jaguares (it's free! bring your friends) as a tune-up to next week's CCL opener against Santos Laguna. But the various US national teams are also in action.

The U.S. Women's National Team resumed its Olympic Qualifying form by thrashing Denmark 5-0 during the first game of the Algarve Cup tournament on Wednesday.

Alex Morgan scored two goals (21′, 84′), while Abby Wambach (44′), Carli Lloyd (76′) and Sydney Leroux (90+3′) joined her on the scoresheet.

Because Wednesday night's Ghana v Chile friendly at PPL Park was not televised, we thought we'd try something other than a traditional match report to give you a better sense of the game, something more along the lines of a live chat.

6:20pm: Welcome to PPL Park on a cold and blustery Wednesday evening for tonight's friendly between Ghana and Chile.

USA! USA! USA!

It started with the USWNT's 5–0 demolition of Denmark in their opening game in the Algarve Cup. It continued with the USMNT's historic 1–0 win over Italy in Italy. It ended with the USMNT U-23s convincing 2–0 win over Mexico's U-23s. Three-for-three with three shutouts in one day—surely that's never happened before in US Soccer.

Megan Rapinoe did not see action against Denmark, but will likely feature against Norway
After the USA's solid 5-0 win over Denmark in its first match of the Algarve Cup on Feb. 29, the team will face Norway on March 2 in a quick turn-around. The players who played 90 minutes against the Danes did not train on the field today, instead doing a regen session on the hotel, but the remainder of the squad went through an extremely sharp session on the pitch.

COUNTDOWN TO MLS 2012 - SEASON 17
STARTERS
Yesterday was big for US Soccer even if it doesn't really count - USA wins in Italy and USA Olympic team stuffs Mexico U23s. Missions accomplished.
-And like any good USA fan the cherry on top was Mexico losing to Colombia too!

On Wednesday, the USWNT defeated Denmark 5–0 in their opening group stage match at the Algarve Cup in Portugal on the back of two goals from Alex Morgan. After scoring a first half stoppage time goal of her own, a goal that was assisted by Morgan, Abby Wambach was subbed out. She said after the win, "It's great to get to sit on the bench and watch your teammates evolve and grow up and get the experience.

Photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com

The reward might be a little less fulfilling this time around, but the U.S. women's national team has an important date against Japan on the docket.

Abby Wambach and substitute Sydney Leroux scored, and despite conceding a stoppage-time equalizer, the U.

Abby Wambach and Sydney Leroux scored second half goals to lead the United States to a 2-1 victory over Norway during the second match day of the Algarve Cup tournament on Friday at Estádio Municipal in Lagos, Portugal.

After the a scoreless first half, the Americans came to life in the second frame when Wambach ripped a shot from 16-yards in the 53rd minute.

The Nadeshiko proved yet again to be a stumbling block for the US women's team blanking them, 1-0.

Megumi Takase was able to get to Aya Miayama's corner kick before a slow reacting US defense to head home the winner. They now play Germany in the Algarve Cup final. The US eight time winners of the Cup finished second in their group to Japan now contest Sweden in the 3rd place match.

Japan just has the U.S. women's national team's number at the moment.

In their first meeting since the dramatic World Cup final that Japan won in penalty kicks, Japan topped the U.S. women 1-0 in the final group game of the Algarve Cup on Monday, preventing the Americans from a place in the championship game for the first time in 10 years and dealing them their first shutout in 58 matches.

Alex Morgan scored a hat trick in the U.S. women's 4-0 victory over Sweden in Wednesday's Third-Place match of the Algarve Cup.

Morgan's scored goals in the 4th, 33rd and 71st minutes, while Abbey Wambach tallied in the 37th minute. Reserve keeper Nicole Barnhart kept the Swedes off the board by stopping the four shots she faced on the day at Estadio Municipal in Parchal, Portugal.