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 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.

It was the Alex Morgan show as the US downed Canada in the final of CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying. Morgan scored twice and assisted on two Abby Wambach goals as the US ran out easy winners over the host nation. The game was largely meaningless save for regional pride, with both sides having already qualified for this summer's London games.

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.

It was no walk in the park, but United States claimed an Olympic berth after withstanding a spirited and stubborn Costa Rica to earn a 3-0 win Friday night.

Tobin Heath put the U.S. on the board with a 16th minute goal while Carli Lloyd followed up with an insurance strike in the 74th minute.

Mexico's World Cup qualifying victory clearly shook the US Women's National Team to their core. On Tuesday night, the US settled the score, reminding Mexico, and the world, that there is still an enormous gap in class between the two sides. Were at not for some shoddy finishing and a whole lot of five-alarm defending, the score line could easily have been doubled as the US controlled the match from the opening whistle and were rarely troubled throughout the 90 minutes.

Mexico's World Cup qualifying victory clearly shook the US Women's National Team to their core. On Tuesday night, the US settled the score, reminding Mexico, and the world, that there is still an enormous gap in class between the two sides. Were at not for some shoddy finishing and a whole lot of five-alarm defending, the score line could easily have been doubled as the US controlled the match from the opening whistle and were rarely troubled throughout the 90 minutes.

In what was an historic year for U.S. Women's Soccer, the Americans finished at 13-3-4 while scoring 41 goals and allowing 17.
The U.S. team started and finished the year ranked #1 in the world.
Abby Wambach led the USA in scoring (surprise!) with eight goals and four assists, but Carli Lloyd (6 goals) and Lauren Cheney (5) also had quality goal scoring years.

USWNT almost atoned for it's group stage blemish on Saturday..

TSG's Maura Gladys brings us home on the USWNT in 2011. Thanks for hard work, Maura.

If she didn't prove it with her two goals and one in the 2011 World Cup, Alex Morgan proved last night that she deserves a spot in USWNT the starting lineup.

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.

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. holding midfielder Shannon Boxx of Torrance shadows Canada's Kelly Parker Thursday in Portland (AP Photo).

*Hermosa Beach resident Abby Wambach paced the U.S. with a brace as the Americans beat Canada 3-0 Thursday in the second of two-game post-World Cup series between the two nations.

Amy LePeilbet lets a shot fly during training
The U.S. WNT players have had different lengths of breaks (many depending on when their WPS seasons ended) and some players have been busier off the field than others, but to a player, all said it was good to get back on the practice field together again.

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.

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.

"Hey now, you're an All-Star..."
The FIFA Technical Study Group selected an All-Star Team from this summer's Women's World Cup and it consists of 22 players, consisting of two goalkeepers, six defenders, seven midfielders and six "attackers."Four U.S. players made the list: Hope Solo, Shannon Boxx, Lauren Cheney and Abby Wambach.

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.

When WNT stars Abby Wambach and Shannon Boxx threw out ceremonial first pitches before the MLB American League baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway last weekend, there were probably a lot of soccer fans watching baseball for the first time. Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc posted this pic of the players jumping before the big pitch.

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.

Check out the schedule for this weekend's Women's Professional Soccer matches. Be sure to catch your favorite WNT players in action!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Sky Blue FC vs. Western New York Flash
Yurcak Field – Piscataway, N.J. (Ticket Info)
7 p.m. ET
Sky Blue FC claims sole possession of third place and looks to avenge their July 17 loss to Western New York Flash in this Saturday's matchup.

The thrilling ride that was the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup is over, but as we know you still want to see your favorite WNT players in action, Women's Professional Soccer has you covered with three matches this weekend...
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Sky Blue FC vs. Philadelphia Independence
Yurcak Field – Piscataway, N.

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.

Most of us in South Florida who know of the existence of magicJack, the Women's Professional Soccer team playing in Boca Raton, have been wondering why the owner of the team (Dan Borislow) has not made a real website or even done some type of marketing for a team filled with stars who in their majority play for the U.

Team of Destiny.

It didn't matter who won the 2011 Women's World Cup final, the winner already had a title. Japan was the Team of Destiny that brought joy to their nation after a devastating tragedy. The US overcame odds leading up to and then throughout the tournament to improbably reach the finals.

Team of Destiny.

It didn't matter who won the 2011 Women's World Cup final, the winner already had a title. Japan was the Team of Destiny that brought joy to their nation after a devastating tragedy. The US overcame odds leading up to and then throughout the tournament to improbably reach the finals.

The more thinks of this match the more admiration one has for the Nadeshiko. There are fewer bigger goals in history men or women than the one Homare Sawa pulled off in the 116th minute of extra time. The US did everything humanly possibly to win this match but for those who know better this can be such a cruel, cruel game.

The U.S women's national team learned a difficult lesson in their extra time loss on penalty kicks to Japan in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup final: not finishing valuable scoring opportunities will come back to bite you. And bite them it did.

The U.S squandered a host of chances in the first half hour that could have decided the match.

By FRANCO PANIZO

The feel-good story that was the U.S. women's national team at the World Cup has come to a close, and it does so without the fairy-tale ending.

The U.S. team lost in the World Cup final on Sunday, falling to Japan 3-1 on penalty kicks after playing to a 2-2 draw.

The Women's National Team has returned to the United States and made their first stop in New York City. They received a very welcome homecoming, and fans greeted the team as they arrived in Times Square.
Although the tournament is all wrapped up, the team is busy visiting your favorite news and entertainment shows to talk about their experience at the Women's World Cup in Germany.

The United States Women's National Team will play against Japan this afternoon in the 2011 Women's World Cup Final. Feel free to chat in the comments section below from now until the Philadelphia Union-New England Revolution game tonight.

Game Time: 2:45 pm Eastern (EST), with coverage beginning at 2 pm.

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.

Come join Minnesota supporters of the Women's National Team, along with readers of IMSoccer News, duNord Futbol, and memebers of Minneapolis and St. Paul, American Outlaws and the Dark Clouds supporters group for a US National Team World Cup watch party.

The US National Team plays Japan in a 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Final Championship match, Sunday, July 17, with a 1:30 p.

It all comes down to Sunday. We've all heard it before (many, many times).

Japan USA: Sunday, ESPN, 2:45 PM

The US women are in the World Cup final for the first time since 1999. Many wondered if they would have a letdown in their semifinal match against France following an emotional quarterfinal win over Brazil.

Abby Wambach is back in form.The United States Women's National Team is on their way to the World Cup final for the first time since 1999. They achieved this feet in their 3-1 victory over a feisty French national team. The game was a close one and like the USWNT's victory against Brazil, this game had some impressive moments of excitement.

Abby Wambach is back in form.The United States Women's National Team is on their way to the World Cup final for the first time since 1999. They achieved this feet in their 3-1 victory over a feisty French national team. The game was a close one and like the USWNT's victory against Brazil, this game had some impressive moments of excitement.

LINEUP
USA: 1-Hope Solo; 11-Ali Krieger, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 3-Christie Rampone (capt.), 6-Amy LePeilbet; 9-Heather O'Reilly, 7-Shannon Boxx, 10-Carli Lloyd, 12-Lauren Cheney; 8-Amy Rodriguez, 20-Abby Wambach
Subs: 2-Heather Mitts, 5-Kelley O'Hara, 13-Alex Morgan,14-Stephanie Cox, 15-Megan Rapinoe, 16-Lori Lindsey, 17-Tobin Heath, 18-Nicole Barnhart, 21-Jill Loyden
Not Eligible: 19-Rachel Buehler (suspension)
PRE-GAME NOTES:
- Hope Solo wins her 100th cap tonight.

So the pre-game meeting is done and the team is making its way onto the bus for the half hour trip to Borussia Park. The team is focused on France, with kickoff about two hours away. So what can you do? Well, catch up on WNT video to start!
Behind the Crest
After the USA's epic win against Brazil, Abby Wambach and Hope Solo reflect on the dramatic comeback by the WNT.

Shannon Boxx and Amy LePeilbet: Back to Back in Borussia Park
The U.S. team had its pre-game training at the massive Borussia Park Stadium this afternoon under a hot mid-day sun. Despite playing an emotional overtime game on Sunday, the U.S. team showed spry and energetic legs during its 45-minute run-through.

Come join Minnesota supporters of the Women's National Team, along with readers of IMSoccer News, duNord Futbol, and the Dark Clouds supporters group for a US National Team World Cup watch party.

The US National Team plays France in a 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Semi-Final match, Wednesday, July 12, with a 10:55 a.

TSG's Maura Gladys with a peek into the US ladies' match-up with France

It'd be nice to just stay suspended in the few days after the United States' monumental win over Brazil, relishing the glory and beauty of the performance. But alas, it's on to Mönchengladbach and a semifinal date with France.