The US WNT overcame early match nerves and a very game Costa Rican team through goals scored by Tobin Heath, Carli Lloyd, and Alex Morgan. This win qualifies them for the London Olympics. In the other semi-finals, Canada held off Mexico, 3-1, to also book their spot. The final will be played tomorrow and pits two of the most potent goalscorers in the game.

The U.S. Women's national team figured to face a tougher task against Guatemala on Sunday than it did after a 14-0 thrashing of the Dominican Republic to open CONCACAF Olympic qualifying on Friday.

The challenge was slightly tougher, but only by a goal.

Abby Wambach scored two goals to move into third place on the all-time international goals scored list, while Sydney LeRoux added five goals in a 13-0 thrashing of Guatemala in Vancouver on Sunday.

Despite the numerous struggles WPS was faced with in 2011, the Boston Breakers remained a solid squad. Thanks to an impressive post-World Cup run, the club earned its second-consecutive playoff appearance. Although they may have fallen short of the Championship game, 2011 was a remarkable year nevertheless for the Breakers.

I had the honor of working with Robbie Church for four years at Duke University, and not only is he one of the top coaches in the women's game, but is also one of the true gentlemen in the sport.
Although his Duke Blue Devils fell short in the national title game to Paul Ratcliffe and Stanford, it was clear that Church has firmly placed his Duke side among the nation's elite.

The NCAA Women's College Cup, taking place this weekend at Kennesaw State Stadium in Kennesaw will be the first NCAA soccer championship held in Georgia since 1968. And one thing is for certain there will be a first-time national champion crowned at this year's NCAA final.

All four College Cup teams were seeded first in their respective brackets, and include three ACC schools—Wake Forest, Duke and Florida State—and two-time NCAA runner-up Stanford, making its fourth consecutive College Cup appearance.

Abby Wambach is feeling it!

The 1991 US team broke new ground winning the first ever World Cup and repeated the feat eight years later. By that time Michelle Akers, Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, and Kristine Lilly were household names. US women's soccer and success are so inextricably intertwined with those names leaving each succeeding squad aspiring to reach the same heights and write their names into history.

Rising sun: Japan, a nation that is a sentimental favorite of many soccer fans because of the recent disasters the nation has endured and a former lightweight in the sport, is now a legitimate World Cup contender displacing such former powers as China (AP Photo).

Associated Press National Writer Nancy Armour explores the new world of international women's soccer that can be summed up in one word - parity:

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- It wasn't long ago that you could predict the lineup for the final four at the Women's World Cup even before the tournament began.

In the long, storied history of Development Academy Finals Weeks (okay, four years) there is only one player who has appeared at all four historic events. That storied player is CASL Chelsea FC Academy's Eric Steber, who has more Finals Week caps than any other player in Academy history. The Kristine Lilly of Finals Week, Steber has benefitted from a successful club who has sent both Academy teams to Finals Week three out of four years.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
______________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2011
President Obama Announces Presidential Delegation to the Federal Republic of Germany to Attend the Women's World Cup
President Barack Obama today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to the Federal Republic of Germany to attend the Women's World Cup Game on July 2, 2011 between the United States of America and the Republic of Colombia.

Team USA – This Is Now

This is the 3rd article in a series of three to preview the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany which begins on June 26 when host and 2-time defending World Cup champion Germany kicks off against CONCACAF Champion Canada in Berlin.

Team USA – This Is Now

This is the 3rd article in a series of three to preview the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany which begins on June 26 when host and 2-time defending World Cup champion Germany kicks off against CONCACAF Champion Canada in Berlin.

Sunday begins the sixth edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup with Germany playing first time hosts and pre-tournament favorites. The United States (two-time winners and current #1 in the FIFA rankings), Brazil, Norway (one-time winner), and China are all regular contenders for the world's best.

By Eric Beard of A Football Report Editor's Note: This is another feature in our USWNT World Cup 2011 Send-Off series, and the first piece written by a writer from another excellent football website. We are very grateful to Eric and A Football Report for their participation. The aroma of American masculinity, ahem, I mean [.

When Kristine Lilly played in her home state for the USA on July 14, 2007, against Norway in East Hartford, Conn., we thought it would be her last game in a U.S. uniform in Connecticut. As it turned out, she would play one more, but back on that day the Wilton, Conn. native was honored as then Governor M.

Editor's Note: We continue with yet another random, new series on the Free Beer Movement. Soccer fans come in all shapes, colors, and sizes and how they became fans of the sport are as diverse as they are. While most of us are engrossed in the on-field action, the tactics, the drama.

FC Milwaukee midfielder Ally Andreini (Oshkosh West) was one of 81 players invited to the Elite Clubs National League/US Club Soccer id2 National Training Camp last month in Tallahassee, Fla.

The four-day camp for players born in 1994 and '95 included U.S. Soccer women's development director Jill Ellis, U.

Yes, she's still retired. Kristine Lilly is and will remain one of the world's greatest-ever players, and we thought you'd like to read a few stories on the Queen of Caps after she announced her retirement.
A piece by Chris Elsberry of the Connecticut Post, whose covered Lilly for years.
A very nice story by Wayne Coffey of the New York Daily News.

Longtime North Carolina coach Anson Dorrance, who has led the Tar Heels to 20 NCAA titles, is the recipient of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's Honor Award for 2010. Dorrance was presented the award at the NSCAA's annual awards banquet Friday in Baltimore.
Dorrance, who coached such stars as Mia Hamm, April Heinrichs, Kristine Lilly, Cindy Parlow, Carla Overbeck and Heather O'Reilly at UNC, was the coach of the U.

Kristine Lilly may be coming out of retirement. Not to play, but to reclaim the U.S. WNT record for the Beep Test, which she set last September. Granted, it's a short history for this particular test, which the U.S. team has been doing for just about six months, but Lilly set the record during the USA's training camp in Atlanta last fall.

Oh, an application for a press credential for the US friendly on the 22nd. This should be amusing.
Quote: Originally Posted by USSF We have received your application and will notify you of the status in due course. Sounds promising!

Kristine Lilly, retires after 24 years. The most capped player in men's or women's soccer history with 352 caps. A feat of incredible durability. The most under rated player in her group of high flying compatriots like Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Julie Foudy, and Michelle Akers who regularly stole the thunder.

It was a career that any footballer, male or female, would be envious of. And perhaps it's because of that that many of us are still struggling to grasp the fact that it's actually over.

Twenty-four seasons of soccer at the highest level. Five World Cups. Four NCAA Championships. Two World Cup Championships.

I think by now (if you are in fact still reading, which if you are at this point it could count as charity work—Ontario high school students in need of community service hours, take note) you are probably aware of several stultifying patterns in the way North American newspapers present their online soccer coverage.

Union

Danny Califf has been keeping busy in the offseason. Last month the Union captain took a nine-day US Soccer Coaching License Course. Also of note in the piece, Califf says he's not up to date with the club's offseason plans—"I find out the news over the Internet"— and doesn't know what's going on with Michael Orozco Fiscal's loan from Mexican club San Luis.

Photo by Trent Davol/ISIPhotos.com

Kristine Lilly, one of the most accomplished players in women's soccer history, has retired.

The world record holder for international appearances with an amazing 352, Lilly has decided to step away from both the U.S. women's national team and her professional career with the WPS Boston Breakers after spending parts of four decades playing at the highest level.

Kristine Lilly, US Soccer

CHICAGO (Jan. 5, 2011) – Kristine Lilly, one of the most legendary figures in the history of women's soccer and holder of the world record with 352 international appearances, has retired.

The 5-foot-4-inch midfielder hangs up her boots at age 39 as perhaps the game's most accomplished player and certainly one of the most successful and decorated female athletes in U.

I was sad, but not surprised, to learn yesterday that Kristine Lilly is hanging up her cleats after a long and storied career.

This marks the end of an era ... as Lil was the last of the 91ers still active on the pitch.

Here's the post from her journal ... with apologies for my brevity.

STARTERS
A huge blast of recognition must go out to Kristine Lilly today. She has retired from the game after only 352 caps for the USA. Yes, 352! That is staggering. Best wishes to her!

TEAM USA
The annual January training camp for young and out-of season players with national team potential begins tomorrow Tue Jan 4 in Carson CA and ends with a friendly game on Sat Jan 22 at the Home Depot Center.

Kristine Lilly, the most prolific and decorated female player in soccer history, announced her retirement Wednesday afternoon.

After a 24-year career that spanned five Women's World Cups and a record 352 caps with the U.S. Women's National Team, the legendary Lilly called it a career.

"I told myself I would take until the end of the year to make a decision after some time off so I wasn't just retiring because of the long year and the fact that I was tired," said Lilly, who will turn 40 this year, via a U.

Kudos to U.S. soccer legend Kristine LIlly for calling it a day while she's still got game. After 352 appearances for the national team, one of the most beloved figures in the history of women's soccer anounced she is retiring.

The 5-foot-4-inch midfielder hangs up her boots at age 39 as perhaps the game's most accomplished player and certainly one of the most successful and decorated female athletes in U.

The one and only Kristine Lilly announced her retirement today after perhaps the most legendary career in U.S. Women's National Team history. ussoccer.com has it coveredwith a special tribute video, an interview with the Queen of Caps herself, a podcast, quotes, special Kristine Lilly Top-13 lists, a Lilly by the Numbers, a list of some of her most memorable moments and even a list of every one of her 352 caps and 130 goals.