The day after U.S. soccer fans celebrated the women's CONCACAF win and their Olympic qualification comes word that the WPS is on ice for the 2012 season.

Word began to filter out via players and bloggers on social networks like Twitter Monday morning, and the league officially made the announcement midday.

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.

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.

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.

With the Olympics quickly approaching, it would seem the USWNT are prepared to take on whoever will be thrown at them when they head to London. Pia Sundhage's squad played a great game of football in front of a sold out crowd at PPL Park on Sunday, coming up with a big win against China. This match also marked the debut of new matching kits for both the USMNT and the USWMNT, who put them to good use.

Twenty-eleven turned out to be an interesting year, to say the least. It was a year that witnessed the long-awaited arrival of Jurgen Klinsmann as U.S. Men's National Team coach, the U.S. Women's National Team falling in agonizing fashion to Japan in the World Cup final, Steve Nicol's departure as Revolution manager, the introduction of Jay Heaps as his successor and.

The U.S. WNT had some special guests at training today -- the U.S. Under-18 WNT. The U.S. U-18s are currently in camp in San Diego and drove up the coast to take in the USA's evening training. Not only did they witness an intense practice, getting an up-close look at training at the highest levels of women's soccer, but they also got brief talks from Abby Wambach and Christie Rampone.

Pia Sundhage, head coach of the United States Women's National Team, announced earlier today the 20-player roster that she will be bringing with her to Vancouver, B.C. for the CONCACAF Women's Qualifying Tournament. The two teams that make it to the final of the tournament, set to begin on January 19th, will qualify for the 2012 London Summer Olympics.

The US Women took down Costa Rica 3-0 to book their ticket for this summer's London Olympics. Tobin Heath scored in the first half, Carli Lloyd continued her current run of form with a goal in the second half, and Alex Morgan sealed the win with a late goal of her own.

Pia Sundhage made two changes from the team that faced Mexico on Tuesday, preferring Tobin Heath over Amy Rodriguez and giving converted striker Kelly O'Hara a start at right back.

photo by Stephen Brashear/ISIphotos.com

Fresh off a successful Olympic qualifying campaign, U.S. women's national team head coach Pia Sundhage has called up 28 players for its upcoming friendly against New Zealand.

Nineteen of the 20 players on the Olympic qualifying roster were summoned by Sundhage for the Americans' first game on home soil this year, including Alex Morgan, Hope Solo and Abby Wambach.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Johan Cruyff is bringing his expertise to Mexico.

The Dutch legend will join Chivas de Guadalajara as an advisor this weekend in an effort to change the fortunes of the renowned Mexican club. Chivas has fallen on hard times, failing to win in their last 13 matches across all competitions and most recently getting blown out by Velez Sarsfield in the Copa Libertadores group stage on Wednesday.

Christie "Rampain" Rampone brings the leather to Lori Lindsey
The U.S. team had a weights session this morning and as there wasn't quite the equipment that fitness coach Dawn Scott wanted for the workout, she decided to get creative and throw in some boxing workouts for the players.

U.S. captain Christie Rampone speaks to the kids before the event
After the USA's first training in Sendai today, a crisp session that lasted just over an hour, the U.S. players held an event -- co-organized by the U.S. State Department -- for more than 50 Japanese middle school girls.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

The U.S. women's national team will play China at PPL Park on May 27 in a tune-up friendly prior to this summer's Olympics.

The last time the two nations met, the United States defeated China 2-0 at the Four Nations Tournament on Chinese soil in January of last year.

The U.S. women's national team did not need the late heroics to get by Brazil this time.

Carli Lloyd, Shannon Boxx and Amy Rodriguez all scored off set pieces as the U.S. women blanked Brazil 3-0 in their final game of the Kirin Challenge Cup and a rematch of their riveting World Cup quarterfinal bout that the Americans won in penalty kicks.

Christie Rampone may very well be playing World Cup soccer into her fifth decade on this earth. In the mean time she's doing work for US Olympians not backed by an independent multi-million dollar federation.Teaming up with various current and former Olympians and Para-Olympians as well as Citi Bank, Rampone launched "Every Step of the Way.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Philadelphia Union

It may have been more "whew" than "WOO!" but a win is a win.

Peter Nowak said of the the win, "I think it was very important to the confidence. They start to see now that the work pays off and we got to keep going."

He said further, "I think this was extremely important for the guys in the locker room to have the feeling of getting three points.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Philadelphia Union

We linked to a tweet from Dave Zeitlin yesterday that indicated that, with Danny Califf doubtful for Saturday's match against Chivas USA, Peter Nowak is likely to start the same back four that played against Columbus, which means Garfan on the left, Gaddis on the right, with Valdes and Williams in the middle.

Keelin Winters manages to just get a foot to the ball as Alex Morgan shoots
The U.S. team had just one training today, and as some ominous clouds rolled in during the practice, it seemed for a moment like it might be a damp and windy session, but the rain quickly passed and the team had another sharp practice that included a 30-minute full-field scrimmage (that featured some stoppages to work on set plays) at the end.

U.S. women's national team coach Pia Sundhage has called on 28 players for a May training camp in New Jersey ahead of a friendly against China at PPL Park on May 27, as the U.S. women continue their preparations for this summer's Olympics.

The U.S. women will train in Princeton from Thursday until May 25 in the build-up to the friendly, and this camp comes on the heels of an April camp in Florida in which 26 of the 28 players called upon this time around participated.

Photo: Daniel Gajdamowicz

Philadelphia Union

John Hackworth on the New York Red Bulls: "I don't think they like us and I don't think we like them."

Sheanon Williams on the Red Bulls: "Regardless how many years we've been around, it's Philly and New York, and nobody in Philly likes any teams in New York, and that is definitely how it goes with the Union and Red Bulls.

A-Rod and Lori Lindsey in 5 v 2. Lori, stop flexing for the camera.
After a day off yesterday, the U.S. WNT hit the field today for a spirited afternoon session in perfect soccer weather as training camp continues that is part Olympic prep, part China prep. Of course, the U.

Philadelphia loves Heather Mitts
U.S. WNT head coach Pia Sundhage has named 18 players that will face China in front of a sold-out crowd on May 27 at PPL Park. Sundhage named the team after a two-week training camp in Princeton, N.J. that featured 27 players.
Four players have experience playing for former Philadelphia women's pro teams while midfielder Carli Lloyd hails from nearby Delran, N.

La directora técnica de la selección estadounidense, Pia Sundhage, reveló hace unas horas a 18 jugadoras que competirán por estar en el podio en las próximas Olimpiadas de Londres.

Porteras:

Hope Solo | Seattle Sounders

Nicole Barnhart

Defensas:

Rachel Buehler

Amy LePeilbet

Heather Mitts

Kelley O'Hara

Christie Rampone

Becky Sauerbrunn | DC United

Mediocampistas:

Shannon Boxx

Carli Lloyd

Lauren Cheney

Tobin Heath

Heather O'Reilly

Megan Rapinoe

Delanteras:

Sydney Leroux | Seattle Sounders

Alex Morgan | Seattle Sounders

Amy Rodríguez

Abby Wambach

Quedan fuera de la lista final Ali Krieger por no estar recuperada al 100% de su lesión en la rodilla sufrida en el Preolímpico de Vancouver; Lori Lindsey, Jill Loyden, Meghan Klingenberg y Christen Press serán tomadas en cuenta como suplentes en caso de que alguna de las jugadoras base sufran alguna lesión.

Via US Soccer U.S. Women's National Team head coach Pia Sundhage has named the 18-player roster for the 2012 Olympic Games. Eleven players make a return to the Olympics after helping the USA to the gold medal in 2008 in Beijing, China. Midfielders Shannon Boxx and Heather O'Reilly and defender Heather Mitts make their third Olympic Team while U.

The US Women took down China 4-1 in front of of a sold out crowd at PPL Park on Sunday night in an Olympic warm up. A fantastic brace from Alex Morgan, a well taken late goal by Abby Wambach, and an unfortunate own goal by Chinese defender Zhou Gaoping were enough for the US to overcome falling behind in the first half through a Zhang Rui goal.

Photo by John Todd/ISIPhotos.com

The U.S. Women's national team shook off an uncharacteristic slow start to put on a show for a sold-out crowd at PPL Park on Sunday, as Alex Morgan showed off her outstanding form in a 4-1 rout of China.

The Chinese opened the scoring on the night, temporarily quieting a raucous crowd in Chester, Pa.

PSP photographer Paul Rudderow was on hand for Sunday evening's Women's National Teams 4-1 win over China at PPL Park. Here's a look at what he saw.

United States starting eleven.

China struck first with a goal by Zhang Rui.

Carli Lloyd played strong in the midfield.

U.S. Women's National Team head coach Pia Sundhage has named the 18-player roster for the 2012 Olympic Games. Eleven players make a return to the Olympics after helping the USA to the gold medal in 2008 in Beijing, China. Midfielders Shannon Boxx and Heather O'Reilly and defender Heather Mitts make their third Olympic Team while U.

This past Sunday, USWNT Head Coach Pia Sundhage announced the 18 players she will be bringing with her to London to compete in this Summer's Olympic games in London. Eleven of the players named to the Olympic squad also competed in the 2011 World Cup in Beijing. Three players named to the squad, Shannon Boxx, Heather O'Reilly and Heather Mitts, are each returning for their third Olympic games.

U.S. WNT head coach Pia Sundhage officially named the 2012 Olympic Team a few hours before the USA took on China from PPL Park on May 27. It was not an easy process for Sundhage and her staff to cut down a talented pool of players to the 18 that will travel to the U.K. in search of Olympic gold, but the Americans will bring one of its strongest Olympic Teams ever over the pond this summer and that surely should make for some exciting matches.