The U.S. Women's National Team came from behind thanks to two late Alex Morgan goals to defeat New Zealand, 2-1, in an international friendly on Saturday afternoon at FC Dallas Stadium (formerly Pizza Hut Park) in Frisco, Texas. Morgan, who gained a reputation as a super-sub during the 2011 Women's World Cup, started this match, but still saved her best for late, tallying in the 88th minute and deep into stoppage time.

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.

The U.S. Women celebrate their 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament title on Sunday.

The U.S. Women's National Team put up some staggering results to win the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament to open 2012: five wins, five shutouts, 38 goals and of course a berth into the 2012 London Olympics.

Some amazing PSP original work from the past few days: Earl Gardner's sweet photo essay from the SOB Help Kick Hunger event, info on the MLS All-Star game, Ed's fantastic piece on the last All-Star game in Philly, Dan's take on the possibility of selling Le Toux, and Eli's examination of the U's post-Seba strike force.

The U.S. team once again practiced indoors at BC Place (with the weather so far in Vancouver, trust us when we say outdoors would not be too much fun), this time in preparation for its final Group B match vs. Mexico. The CONCACAF neighbors will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. PT. Fans can watch the game live on Universal Sports Network, Universalsports.

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.

The excitement is building for the 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the Canadian Soccer Association has been busy promoting the eight-team competition. The CSA is featuring two U.S. players with strong northwest ties -- Seattle resident Hope Solo and former Portland Pilot star Megan Rapinoe -- as part of an advertising campaign titled "Made for This.

Part I of the 2nd Annual Yanks Are Coming Best of US Soccer Awards featured 2011′s US Soccer disappointments, frustrations, and best hairdo. The second portion of our awards focuses on the promise of youth, goalkeepers, and the goals scored in what was a thrilling year in American soccer. Again, a list of the finalists [.

Having faced uncertainty about its future in recent weeks and months, WPS appears to have avoided doomsday. At least for now.

WPS reportedly received conditional Division 1 sanctioning for 2012 from U.S. Soccer's board of directors on Monday evening despite it only having five teams and the minimum for Division I status typically being eight.

Juan Mata's seen** Ronaldinho's video. Have you? **Actually, Juan was at the ATP Tour Finals at the O2 Arena, but this is the expression we pulled before falling to our knees when we saw the infamous vid. It seemed fitting. Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images.

The week started as a soap opera, segued gently through fantasy into fashion commentary before coming to rest in Xabi Alonso's shorts.

After a two-week training camp that featured 30 players, U.S. WNT head coach Pia Sundhage has named the 18 players that will suit up against Sweden on Sat., Nov. 19 at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Kickoff is 7 p.m. and fans can watch live via a webstream on ussoccer.com and also follow along on ussoccer.

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.

By CALEB SONNELAND

Chelsea may not be bolting from Stamford Bridge for a new home after all.

The club came up short in its attempt to convince the necessary majority of the Chelsea Pitch Owners to sell back the stadium land that the club sold to the supporter-spearheaded group, and as a result, the club can't regain ownership of the entire grounds.

Nike has released a t-shirt in tribute to the famous bleached blonde locks of standout magicJack and United States Women's National Soccer team midfielder Megan Rapinoe. The 100% cotton shirt features a yellow silhouette of the hairstyle worn by Rapinoe during this past summer's 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup and a small Nike swoosh on [.

Nike has released a t-shirt in tribute to the famous bleached blonde locks of standout magicJack and United States Women's National Soccer team midfielder Megan Rapinoe. The 100% cotton shirt features a yellow silhouette of the hairstyle worn by Rapinoe during this past summer's 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup and a small Nike swoosh on [.

This is Part II and the conclusion of Maura Gladys's take on the USWNT as the dust begins to settle in 2011.

What will the USWNT's Golden Moment breed?

For fans of the 2011 U.S. Women's National team, talk of destiny and fate that clouded heads has faded, the pain of losing has healed, and some distance and perspective has been gained on this summer's tournament.

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.

U.S. WNT and former Portland Pilot stars Stephanie Cox visited Town Hall on Wednesday to give a few gifts to local politicians and receive a proclamation (see below) from the Mayor and the city of Portland proclaiming a Day of Recognition for the U.S. WNT. That's one of many things we love about Portland.

I'm going to refrain from talking about last night's game in today's link round up because, well, you're probably hearing enough about that. Instead, I'm gonna talk about Rafa Marquez...

As many of you can now read from the links gathered below, Rafa Marquez (the third highest paid player in MLS) has gone completely nuts.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Kansas City Watch

Chris Vito reports that the Union will be using a MLS pool goalkeeper as a backup to Zac MacMath for the Kansas City game.

The Kansas City Star expects Sporting to defeat the Union, saying, while they "might plan on playing the 'bunker' game on the road," the Union haven't shown "the strength to withstand anyone.

The great folks at Nike hosted a team dinner for the US of A at Piazza Italia on Sunday night and as the squad's flight was delayed out of Kansas City, and the players were HUNGRY, the bus went straight to the restaurant. After everyone had eaten enough for two soccer teams, and seeing as there was a mic and an amp for entertainment set up at Piazza Italia, the chants of "Pia, Pia, Pia!

Most folks in the soccer community have more t-shirts than they need. But trust us, here is one you need to add to your collection.
It's the Megan Rapinoe hair tee!
They are going fast, but it's still available on ussoccer.com, as well as the U.S. WNT game tomorrow night and Niketown in Portland.

The WPS title was at stake on Saturday in Rochester, NY.

The Cheesesteak Supporters Club was in the house. A few of the stalwarts rented a giant conversion van.

They proceeded to decorate the van.

Note the yellow string of lights up top.

Today US Soccer announced the roster for the women's team when they visit KC to take on Canada on September 17th at LIVESTRONG Sporting Park. The roster contains all 21 players from the USA's run to the World Cup final this year in Germany. It'll be a nice doubleheader for those wanting to go out on that Saturday as following the US game they'll be showing the Sporting KC vs Real Salt Lake game.

The Philly Soccer Page " Does Valdes' suspension have an upside?
But if there is a silver lining to Valdes' absence, it may be in the psychological effect it has on the team.

The Paunovic Factor | Philly Union Talk

As the Union's season grinds on, the playoff picture remains blurry.

(Photos: Michael C. Long)

After shaking off a right leg injury, first year Independence midfielder Sinead Farrelly put in her best performance of the season in the WPS Super Semifinal. Having gotten the best of magicJack and US National Team member Megan Rapinoe, the no. 2 pick in the 2011 WPS Draft has her sights set on claiming the league title in her first season.

(Photos: Michael C. Long)

As the Independence prepare for Saturday's WPS Final versus Western New York in Rochester, the PSP had the opportunity to catch up with midfielder Joanna Lohman. Lohman's versatility has been on display of late, adding to coach Paul Riley's depth by turning in strong, confident performances both on the wing and in the center of midfield.

If you noticed like I did a pint sized player who took over midfield for the Philadelphia Independence in Sunday's semi-final against the MagicJack and wondered idly, "She is something special", don't go into the scouting business just yet.

Veronica Boquete is already out there and is the WPS player of the year because she is special.

photo by Michael Long

The Independence defeated magicJack 2-0 in the WPS Super Semi Final at PPL Park on Saturday afternoon. Goals from Tasha Kai and Amy Rodriguez were enough to see the Independence through as magicJack will feel a bit unlucky after hitting the wood work three times over the course of the match.

Game Time: 4 pm, Saturday

TV: Sort of? Tape delay of the game will be shown on CSN at 11 pm but you can watch the webcast live on Fox Soccer.

Before we get too far into this, let me confirm. The Independence are in fact playing a team called magicJack for the right to play Western New York in the WPS Final.

The Independence travel to south Florida to take on the mysterious team known only as magicJack in the final regular season game of the season. Philadelphia currently trails Western New York by three points in the league table, but hold the tie break if the teams should tie. MagicJack have secured a third place finish and will host either Boston or Sky Blue FC in the first round of the WPS playoffs, which will be later this week.

Check out the schedule for this weekend's Women's Professional Soccer matches. Be sure to catch your favorite WNT players in action!
Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011
Atlanta Beat vs. Western New York Flash
KSU Soccer Stadium – Kennesaw, Ga. (Ticket Info)
7 p.m. ET
Western New York Flash has clinched a playoff berth and currently sits in second place in WPS standings.

By Neil W. Blackmon It finally ended today. Not a five year era—no—that was Thursday's news. No—it ended. The summer that wouldn't end. The summer that reminded us how great we can be; how fleeting success is; how far we have to go. The summer of everything ended this afternoon at what can only fairly [.

By Neil W. Blackmon It finally ended today. Not a five year era—no—that was Thursday's news. No—it ended. The summer that wouldn't end. The summer that reminded us how great we can be; how fleeting success is; how far we have to go. The summer of everything ended this afternoon at what can only fairly [.

Klinsmann in, Bradley out as US National Coach - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

In a coup d'état so swift it could represent the final guillotine strike in a pepole's revolution, Bob Bradley has been replaced as manager of the United States Mens' Soccer team by Jürgen Klinsmann.

On the morning of May 9th, 2011 U.S. Soccer released the roster for this year's 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup team in Germany. Who knew that a team so many "sports journalists" felt was in disarray, could seemingly overnight turn things around. Odd that this collection of young women transformed into a team that those same "experts" said they, "Never doubted them for a second.

Photo: Michael Long

Did you buy a ticket for the Independence match against Atlanta on Sunday after seeing some of the Women's World Cup? Or are you just making it down to Widener University for the first time? Here's what you've missed so far during Philadelphia's 2011 campaign:

Early season unevenness.

Photo: Michael Long

Did you buy a ticket for the Independence match against Atlanta on Sunday after seeing some of the Women's World Cup? Or are you just making it down to Widener University for the first time? Here's what you've missed so far during Philadelphia's 2011 campaign:

Early season unevenness.

photo by Michael Long

Holmfridur Magnusdottir, Icelandic international and PSP favorite, has left the Philadelphia Independence to return to Iceland. The official press release from the Independence says that the club and Magnusdottir "have agreed to a mutual termination of contract.

The Atlanta Beat will welcome home several stars of the Women's World Cup this Saturday July 23rd at KSU Soccer Stadium.

WPS Women's World Cup Heroes include:

ATLANTA BEAT: CARLI LLOYD (USA), HEATHER MITTS (USA), KELLY PARKER (Canada)

MAGICJACK: ABBY WAMBACH, HOPE SOLO, MEGAN RAPINOE, SHANNON BOXX, CHRISTIE RAMPONE, BECKY SAUERBRUNN (ALL USA)

The game starts at 7 PM but the pre-game celebration begins at 6:45 PM.