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.

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.

(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?

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.

It's easy as sports fans to demand certain things from our teams... especially coverage of games. Unfortunately, as women's soccer fans we can't always get what we want. I'll be the first to admit that I enjoy harassing the USWNT (US Women's National Team) media team via Twitter to stream domestic games online when they aren't on television.

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.