The players spent many afternoons in training at camp in Phoenix at Athletes Perfomance, and during the time between lunch and lectures they got into some serious games of table tennis (not ping-pong, as we were admonished!). As you can imagine, the lads are competitive in whatever they do.
Make sure you stick around to the end.

On Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m., two days before the USA faces Sweden at the University of Phoenix Stadium, the U.S. WNT will hold its second bar event of the year after a successful Handshake Contest judged by Lori Lindsey and Megan Rapinoe in Portland, Oregon at Kells back in September.
Here in Phoenix, U.

Six players from the U.S. Women's National Team joined First Lady Michelle Obama in hosting a Let's Move! clinic today on the South Lawn of the White House. The players ran a group of kids through some soccer skills emphasizing the importance of physical activity.
Rachel and Becky explain a drill to First Lady Michelle Obama

The six players, all members of the the U.

Maura Gladys returns with Part I of II on the USWNT moving forward

Out with the old, in with the new? Yeah, um, not so much....

It's tough to derive meaning from last week's U.S. Women's Soccer Celebration Series in an on-field context. With nothing at stake, and with the purpose of the two game series against Canada clearly stated as a celebration, the squad was under no obligation other than to entertain fans.

Fans in Portland should head to Kells on Tuesday night to hang out with Megan Rpainoe (she'll be answering questions form fans in a Q & A). The atmosphere in the northwest has been amazing and we can't wait to see all the fans out there at Kells tomorrow night. Come around 7 p.m.!
And you (and a "teammmate") should also be sure to bring your own handshake for the Handshake Contest.

The speedy ones, A-Rod and Alex, are back in action with the WNT

The U.S. WNT has gotten a fantastic reception in Kansas City where the folks couldn't be nicer and more excited to see the team, which everyone sincerley appreciates. The squad trained on Monday and Tuesday at the Sporting KC Training Facility at Swope Park and the media, fan and kid turnouts have been excellent.

PSP photographer Paul Rudderow was on hand for Philadelphia Independence Sunday's nights 1–0 Win over the Atlanta Beat. Here are some photos from Sunday's match. (Click on the photo for a full-size photo.)

Heather Mitts being recognized for being on the US World Cup National Team.

PSP photographer Paul Rudderow was on hand for Friday's nights 2–1 loss to Colorado Rapits. Here are some photos from Friday's match. (Click on the photo for a full-size photo.)

Amy Rodriguez of the US Women's World Cup Team was honored at the Union match.

Photo: Michael Long

After winning six straight matches to take the top spot in the WPS table, the Independence traveled to New Jersey on Saturday night and played one of their worst games of the season. After a listless first half, Casey Nogueira netted a second half brace to give Sky Blue the 2–0 victory.

After the pathos of the win over Brazil, today's match was a relief. My sense of relief pales, however, compared with that of the people watching the semifinal with me. I write this from the "family bus" – as luck would have it, I attended the France-USA match with the family of Lori Lindsey.

Official WWC Team Photo (Courtesy: US Soccer)USSoccer.com has been putting together these mini-profiles of each of the USWNT players that will complete in Germany for the 2011 Women's World Cup.
Here are the rest of the profiles of each player on the roster. See the first set of profiles here.

The U.S. Women's National Team ensured that they will play in the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup after defeating Colombia 3-0 in Sinsheim, Germany on Saturday. The U.S. maintained control for nearly the entirety of the match and were hardly tested by Colombia who, thanks to the loss, will will not participate in the knockout phase of the tournament along with North Korea.

Lauren Cheney and Megan Rapinoe celebrate Rapinoe's 50th minute goal
There was a tremendous atmosphere inside Rhein-Neckar-Arena tonight, the likes of which have probably never been seen before for the U.S. WNT match on foreign soil. The sold-out crowd of more than 25,000 was decidely pro-American, bolstered by a large presence from the U.

Pia Sundhage's at it again. Just a few days after starting Lauren Cheney over Megan Rapinoe, she's mulling another move.

On Thursday morning she announced that she is considering swapping out either Shannon Boxx or Carli Lloyd in favor of the Philadelphia Independence's Lori Lindsey at center mid against Colombia in the USWNT's second group stage match (Saturday at 11:30am on ESPN).

The US opens Group C play against North Korea on Tuesday (11:45am on ESPN). The Philadelphia Independence has three players representing the squad in Germany (thanks to the departure of midfielder Megan Rapinoe for magicJack), two of whom should be seeing significant time. Here's a breakdown of how the Independence's finest should do at the Women's World Cup.

The U.S. Women's World Cup Team has arrived in Europe, but despite flying from Washington, D.C., to Munich, did not spend much time in Germany, host country for this sixth Women's World Cup. Instead, the U.S. team boarded a bus for a two hour drive southeast to the sight of its pre-tournament training camp about an hour from Salzburg, a wonderfully scenic setting set at the base or towering mountains with sweeping green forests.

Four players from the U.S. Women's World Cup Team were present yesterday when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton helped launched the Women's World Cup Initiative. Here are Clinton's remarks from the event. The event was attended by goalkeepers Jill Loyden and Nicole Barnhart, midfielder Lori Lindsey and defender Ali Krieger, as well as U.

Sinead Farrelly moving the ball out Megan Rapinoe's breakaway leading to her goal Celebrating Rapinoe's brilliant strike Tina DiMartino boxed out by McCall Zerboni Lianne Sanderson leaps for a header that makes it to Brittany Bock Amy Rodriguez nearly kicked in the face WNY celebrates their first goal Nicole Barnhart guesses wrong on Marta's penalty kick Independence frustration as the Flash rejoices Sanderson settles Rodriguez nearly takes another hit Marta streaks past Jen Buczkowski toward goal Zerboni and Farrelly fight for control of the ball Lori Lindsey sends in a cross Rodriguez WILL beat you to that ball Tasha Kai and Megan Rapinoe signing autographs Buczkowski does the same.

Becky Sauerbrunn and Ali Krieger work the abs with a medicine ball throw

This morning was weight training for the U.S. WNT, which the team powered through as usual, but the most amusing part occured when the first group was finishing up and the second group was arriving at the gym and the team decided to have an impromptu "emergency goalkeeper tryout" which basically meant U.

Via All White Kit, the United States Women's National Team 2011 World Cup Roster:

Goalkeepers (3): Nicole Barnhart, Jillian Loyden, Hope Solo
Defenders (7): Rachel Buehler, Stephanie Cox, Ali Krieger, Amy LePeilbet, Heather Mitts, Christie Rampone, Becky Sauerbrunn
Midfielders (7): Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath, Lori Lindsey, Carli Lloyd, Heather O'Reilly, Megan Rapinoe, Lindsay Tarpley
Forwards (4): Lauren Cheney, Alex Morgan, Amy Rodriguez, Abby Wambach

Jenna called it all but Loyden before it happened.

Alternate title: "Meet the cast of Galaxy Quest 2!!!"See the photo on the USsoccer.com front page to see why. Then read about the team here.G: Nicole Barnhart, Jillian Loyden, Hope SoloD: Rachel Buehler, Stephanie Cox, Ali Krieger, Amy LePeilbet, Heather Mitts, Christie Rampone, Becky SauerbrunnM: Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath, Lori Lindsey, Carli Lloyd, Heather O'Reilly, Megan Rapinoe, Lindsay

We know you never get tired of pictures from training, right? Here are a few from today.
Tobin Heath makes a diagonal run to the ball

The USA's four GKs train with Ashlyn Harris between the poles

Epic Battle: Rodriguez vs.

Meghan Rapinoe cuts under the watchful eye of Pia Sundhage


Shannon Boxx is cheered on by Kelley O'Hara

Kelley O'Hara fires a shot as Lauren Cheney tries to block

A-Rod, Lori Lindsey and Heather O'Reilly awai their turn in 4 v 4

Nicole Barnhart whips a ball out to a teammate after making a save

Serie B, 26° Giornata: Il Punto su Livorno e Grosseto Di Renato Cignoni PORTOGRUARO-LIVORNO=2-0 Portogruaro: Rossi, Lanzoni, Cristante, Madaschi, Cibocchi, Mernushaj, Schiavon, Scozzarella, Tarana, Scarpa, Altinier All: Agostinelli Livorno: De Lucia, Salviato, Knezevic, Lambrughi, Pieri, Luci, Barusso, Prutsch, Lori, Danilevicius, Dionisi All: Pillon Arbitro: Sig.

Livorno - Vicenza 0 - 1: Pillon resta, nonostante tutto Di Renato Cignoni Nel posticipo del lunedi, era andata così...Livorno – Vicenza = 0-1 LIVORNO: De Lucia, Bernardini (30 st Cellerino), Miglionico, Knezevic, Pieri, Surraco, Lori, Luci, Schiattarella (30 st Antunes), Galabinov (1st Belinghieri), Dionisi All: PillonVICENZA: Russo, Schiavi, Martinelli, Bastrini, Soligo, Rigoni, Morosini, Botta,

The U.S. WNT players got done with all of their soccer responsibilities today in time to settle in and watch the Super Bowl. The Steelers fans are a bit sad right now (sorry, Meghans), but the players sincerely enjoyed the game as well as the halftime pizza party (see below). A few players even made a quick stop at the supermarket (see above) before the game to pick up some supplies.

Posted by Jared Montz

I love talking and meeting new soccer fans on Twitter. Today I met Lori Shaw. She is a die hard D.C. United fan and backed up her support of the team 100 million times percent by getting the D.C. United logo tattooed on her back. That is pretty cool! Way to represent Lori and thanks for letting me post this pic!

In order to keep the team moving and awake as the players try to adjust to China time as soon as possible, the squad took a walk today around a local market/mall. Not many purchases were made, but the players had a good time (as always) experiencing the unique that is Chinese commerce. Defender Brittany Taylor (above left) did buy a pair of slippers for her boyfriend (whoops, we hope that's not a surprise), but most players kept their yuan in their pockets.