Just a quick note to let any dedicated visitors who remain know that daily link postings will not be returning to ooosasoccer.com. I will, however, attempt to keep the National Team archive database alive and well. Adding in the 2008 stats is on my to-do list.

Why this change? Plain and simple: Time - there's just not enough of it.

If for some unbeknown reason, you would like to continue to read the content I'm kicking out on women's soccer, head over to womensprosoccer.com, home of Women's Professional Soccer. I recently accepted a position with WPS that includes producing features for the league's website. Soon we'll be launching a blog that offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the birth of the league, and which may evolve into touching upon other issues and areas. At least initially, I'll largely be authoring that blog.

It’s exciting for me to be a part of WPS’s launch. A lot of work, thought and passion are being poured into making Women’s Professional Soccer a success. If you have ideas or suggestions for us, shoot them to feedback@womensprosoccer.com.

To conclude, a big thanks for your readership over the past year! Keep cheering on the USWNT as it prepares for and competes in the Beijing Games and get ready for WPS!

Due to life transitions, I will not be able to post for the next few weeks. Perfect timing with the Algarve Cup, I know! Look for an update regarding this site's future later this month. In the meantime, here are the sites to visit to get your Algarve Cup & women's soccer fix:

• U.S. Coverage:
   
  • USSoccer.com
   
  • The WNT Blog
   
  • Fair Game Blog
   
  • ESPNsoccernet
   
  • Women's Professional Soccer
   
  • NBC Olympics
   
  • Lori Chalupny's journal
 
• International Coverage:
   
  • Chinese Fed
   
  • Danish Fed & Denmark women's site
   
  • Finnish Fed
   
  • German Fed, German Fed video, Kicker Online & womensoccer.de
   
  • Italian Fed
   
  • Norwegian Fed, Norwegian Fed video
   
  • Swedish Fed, Damallsvenskan Newsblog, Damfotboll.com & Sport Bladet
   
  • England FA & BBC Sport
   
  • Canada Soccer & Rhian Wilkinson Soccer

Slow down a bit...

• National Team news:
   
  • From USSoccer.com: Christie Rampone is adjusting to her life as a captain and the versatile Lori Chalupny, who will see more playing time at left back in 2008, is getting it done all over the field.
   
  • From the U.S. Soccer WNT Blog: The USA's Algarve Cup game locations have been changed, Leslie Osborne is still sporting a shiny black eye, Cat Whitehill's PK settled an intrasquad scrimmage, the team is enjoying a day off today with many players trekking to Seville, Spain and more.
   
  • ESPNsoccernet's Lindsey Dolich breaks down the top teams competing at the Algarve Cup.
   
  • Tina Ellertson's baby, Mya, due on May 13 is doing all her kicking now.
   
  • Former U.S. captain Kristine Lilly was on hand to read to kids at Brookside Elementary School on Friday.
 
• Women's Professional Soccer news:
   
  • The Chicago franchise has launched a Name the Team sweepstakes and team President / CEO Peter Wilt wants you to vote. Background is provided on the ten names that are listed on the ballot.
   
  • In his blog, Bill Archer applauds WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci for keeping the league in the public eye over the past few years despite there being no games.
 
• International news:
   
  • From the WPS site, a look at international personalities to watch at the Algarve Cup.
   
  • Missing several regulars in playing its first game since the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, Australia defeated New Zealand, 2-0, yesterday (Australia game report, New Zealand game report). The match was the first of a three-game series between the two sides.
   
  • Germany has the makings of a goalkeeper controversy as head coach Silvia Neid has put the #1 job up for grabs between Nadine Angerer, who won the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, and longtime German starting 'keeper Silke Rottenberg, who was recovering from a torn ACL during the 2007 World Cup but led Germany to its first World Cup victory in 2003. Neid says the goalkeeper who is playing best will earn the starting nod for the Beijing Olympics in August. (German)
   
  • The German Federation has posted video highlights of its 2-0 victory over China last week as well as a post-game interview with Ariane Hingst. (German)
   
  • Swedish head coach Thomas Dennerby wants his squad to be one of the world's top three fittest teams. To measure his players' physical aptitude he put them through a number of test and drills this weekend in Stockholm before they travel to Portugal for the Algarve Cup. And he mentioned that he considers Malin Moström the fittest player on the National Team. (Swedish)
   
  • En Perlskog looks at the surprising start to the year for both Sweden's National Team, which sent a young squad to Cyprus and came away with victories over England and Norway, and Sweden's league, which has signed a number of high profile players for the upcoming season. (Swedish)
   
  • DFB.de wraps up this weekend's Women's Bundesliga results including FFC Frankfurt's 7-1 romp over SG Essen-Schönebeck. Birgit Prinz and Petra Wimbersky eached tallied a brace in Frankfurt's big win. (German)
   
  • Damallsvenskan Newsblog summarizes this weekend's Swedish league training matches.
   
  • BBC Sport wraps up this weekend's league action in England including Arsenal bouncing back from its defeat in Thursday's Premier League Cup final to rout Leeds, 4-0.

Leaping along...

• National Team news:
   
  • USSoccer.com asks Tobin Heath 11 questions regarding topics ranging from her second trip with the National Team, to her new found love of surfing to the story behind her first name.
   
  • From the U.S. Soccer WNT Blog: The locations of the USA's Algarve Cup games are changing; after a morning training session, the players spent yesterday eating, singing and watching the English Women's FA Premier League Cup Final, the players are killing off soccer balls and Angie Woznuk has a creative side both on and off the field.
   
  • Lori Chalupny blogs from Portugal about the team's arrival and their quarter toss competition.
   
  • Brandi Chastain will make an appearance in Santa Cruz, Calif. on Saturday, March 8.
 
• Women's Professional Soccer news:
   
  • Lindsey Dolich at ESPNsoccernet writes that WPS is ready to take off.
   
  • The Chicago WPS team needs a name.
 
• International news:
   
  • Germany scored two goals in the last 10 minutes to defeat China, 2-0, yesterday (German report - in English with a link to a photo gallery, AFC report in English, German AP report in German with a link to more photos).
   
  • Silvia Neid, Germany's head coach, plans to use the upcoming Algarve Cup matches to continue experimenting with her squad. (German)
   
  • German cities Augsburg and Bielefeld are in the race to host 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup matches. (German)
   
  • Sweden's Lotta Schelin is seeking her 50th cap at the Algarve Cup. (Swedish)
   
  • Head coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller talks about his goals for Denmark at the Algarve Cup. (Danish)
   
  • After serving a three-month suspension for "acts of gross indiscipline", Anita Amankwah has been reinstated to Ghana's National Team.
   
  • Swedish club Bälinge has signed two Americans in Noelle Keselica and Natalie Spilger while Kristianstad is looking at four Americans to fill two spots.
   
  • It was a glory night for Everton, who upset Arsenal, 1-0, to win the FA Tesco Women's Premier League Cup Final yesterday. Everton boss Mo Marley said the win was only the start for her club (link includes video). BBC Sport has more on Everton's stunning victory.

Change?

• National Team news:
   
  • The WNT Blog is back as the National Team has arrived in Portugal for the Algarve Cup.
   
  • The U.S. will face Mexico and Jamaica during group play at the 2008 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament from April 2-12 in Mexico.
   
  • From the WPS site: Carli Lloyd is still driving to reach her potential and Christie Rampone is answering the call as U.S. captain.
   
  • Lindsay Tarpley blogs from Portugal.
   
  • Svenska Dagbladet looks at the infectious passion former Swedish great Pia Sundhage is bringing to the U.S. National Team as its head coach. (Swedish)
   
  • Kacey White has broken her contract with Swedish club Bälinge after being given a contract with the U.S. National Team for the 2008 season.
   
  • Heather O'Reilly's #20 jersey was recently retired by UNC. (halfway down the page)
   
  • Brandi Chastain is trying to stay on the field.
 
• Women's Professional Soccer news:
   
  • Peter Wilt has notes from Chicago's Advisory Board meeting last week.
   
  • WPS has posted some behind-the-scenes footage from the US Youth Soccer adidas Workshop in Pittsburgh, Pa. earlier this month.
 
• International news:
   
  • Japan won the East Asian Women’s Football Championship with a 3-0 victory over China on Feb. 24. Homare Sawa took home MVP honors. North Korea finished second after defeating South Korea, 4-0.
   
  • Despite its big loss to Japan, Head Coach Elisabeth Loisel, remains confident that China can medal at the Beijing Olympics in August.
   
  • The draw has been held for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2008 Qualifiers.
   
  • Canada will play five matches in March as it prepares for CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying.
   
  • Mexico downed reigning NCAA Champion University of Southern Cal, 3-1, in an exhibition match last Friday.
   
  • The German National Team begins its 2008 slate by facing China today. Fifteen players on the 20-player roster for the game were members of Germany's 2007 World Cup Champion squad. Markus Juchem at womensoccer.de also previews the game against China. (German)
   
  • Sweden's Linda Forsberg will miss the Algarve Cup with a knee injury. She has been replaced by Frida Nordin. (Swedish)
   
  • Isaac Paha, Ghana's head coach, is sure the Black Queens will qualify for the 6th Africa Women Championship.
   
  • Australia's Lisa de Vanna has been offered a contract by Swedish club AIK. She scored four goals for AIK in a match over the weekend while on trial.
   
  • Hermann MAC Trophy winner Mami Yamaguchi will forgo her senior season at Florida State to sign a professional contract with Swedish club Umeå IK.
   
  • Marta was stopped for speeding in Sweden after going 108 km/hr in a 90 km/hr zone (67 mph in a 56 mph zone) and must pay a 2,400 kronor fine (approx. $390). (Swedish)
   
  • FFC Frankfurt drilled rival FCR 2001 Duisburg, 4-0, over the weekend.
   
  • BBC Sport previews today's Women's Premier League Cup final between Arsenal and Everton.
   
  • England's Alex Scott shares how she fills her down time.

Friday...

• CONCACAF will perform the draw for the Women's Olympic Qualifying tournament on Monday, February 25 in New York City. The 2008 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualification will take place at the Estadio Olímpico Benito Juarez in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico from April 2-13. The competition field consists of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago. The two finalists will qualify for the Beijing Games.
 
• Pia Sundhage speaks with damfotboll.com about using the Algarve Cup as preparation for Olympic Qualifying. (Swedish)
 
• While in New York City for a Visa promotion, Aly Wagner spoke about Olympic athletes being free to express their political views (bottom of article).
 
• Heather O'Reilly's move to right flank midfielder is receiving rave reviews.
 
• Tiffany Weimer blogs on womensprosoccer.com about living the dream.
 
• At the 2008 East Asian Women’s Football Championship in Chongqing, China yesterday, Japan downed South Korea, 2-0, and China and North Korea played to a 0-0 tie. According to reports, the North Koreans dominated much of the game against China. Japan plays China on Sunday with the tournament title at stake.
 
• German National Team teammates Ariane Hingst and Nadine Angerer are suiting up for Swedish club Djurgarden IF. (German)
 
• The German federation has opened a new video section of its website that includes over 300 video and will feature a weekly report on the women's Bundesliga on Sundays.
 
• Dresden, Magdeburg and Wolfsburg, three of the 12 cities who are candidates to host 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup matches, made positive impressions during their initial on-site inspections. (German)
 
• Former German National Team player Martina Voss is now looking to turn club team FCR 2001 Duisburg into a winner. (German)
 
• Rhian Wilkinson journals about members of the Canadian National Team volunteering with Right to Play.

Win and then try to deal with it later...

• National Team news:
   
  • Pia Sundhage has named the 20-player roster that will travel to Portugal for the Algarve Cup from March 5-12.
   
  • Abby Wambach comments in a USA Today article about political expression and the Olympics.
   
  • SoccerFla.com reports on a trio of Florida State players who are trying to make the U-20 squad that will represent the U.S. at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
 
• Women's Professional Soccer news:
   
  • Chicago WPS President & CEO Peter Wilt blogs about a recent Advisory Board meeting that his franchise held.
   
  • WPS has posted a number of new video interviews with various league and team officials as well as youth state soccer officials. (scroll down the linked to page to see the list)
 
• In international news:
   
  • Bjarne Berntsen has announced Norway's Algarve Cup roster. (Norwegian)
   
  • Thomas Dennerby has announced Sweden's Algarve Cup roster (Swedish). Damallsvenskan Newsblog has more on his selections.
   
  • Birgit Prinz has extended her contract with FFC Frankfurt until 2011. (German)
   
  • Germany's Linda Bresonik will switch clubs on July 1 moving from SG Essen-Schönebeck to FCR 2001 Duisburg. Markus Juchem at womensoccer.de has more on the move. (German)

No reason to celebrate...

• National Team news:
   
  • Heather Mitts, due to a pulled quadriceps, will not be on the USA's 20-player Algarve Cup roster, but will travel to Portugal to train with the team. She hopes to be back on the field at the CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament April 2-13 in Mexico.
   
  • Joanna Lohman, who participated in the National Team's mega-camp this month, has reached a verbal agreement to play for Swedish club Bälinge for six months beginning in April. She joins U.S. teammate Kacey White at Bälinge.
   
  • Jill Oakes is among the W-League Pali Blues' latest signees.
   
  • Former National Team player Shannon MacMillan will be inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions Breitbard Hall of Fame on March 4.
   
  • Kristine Lilly has announced the dates for her Soccer Academy.
 
• Women's Professional Soccer news:
   
  • Manya Makoski blogs about participating in the National Team's mega-camp and winning the Silver Mug tournament with Pali Blues.
   
  • In a video interview, Washington Freedom Director of Operations Louise Waxler talks about how the Freedom kept their brand alive following the WUSA's suspension of operations, how the Freedom will transition from the W-League to WPS and the WPS's ownership group's goal to make the league sustainable.
 
• In international news:
   
  • Japan opened the 2008 East Asian Women’s Football Championship in Chongqing, China on Monday by coming from 2-1 down to defeat North Korea, 3-2. Homare Sawa scored the game-winner during added time. China, likewise, came from behind to defeat South Korea, 3-2. On Thursday, China faces North Korea and Japan takes on South Korea.
   
  • The China Daily labeled its team's peformance as sluggish against the South Koreans and former Chinese star Sun Wen was not impressed. Head coach Elisabeth Loisel, meanwhile, struck back at her critics.
   
  • CAF Online has an update on African Olympic Qualifying as Nigeria edged South Africa last weekend. In order to qualify for the Beijing Games, Nigeria must beat Ghana, who it will host on March 15.
   
  • Linda Bresonik has pulled out of Germany's Feb. 28 friendly against China and out of the Algarve Cup after undering arthroscopic surgery on her right knee. She will need about five weeks to recover. Silvia Neid has nominated Lena Goeßling to take her place on the roster. (German)
   
  • Denmark head coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller has included three uncapped players in his Algarve Cup roster. (Danish)
   
  • John Herdman has named New Zealand's roster for a three-game tour of Australia from March 1-5 as well as a March 8 Olympic qualifier against Papua New Guinea. Included on the roster is 16-year-old midfielder Annalie Longo.
   
  • Ghana is ready to begin its Africa Women Championship qualification campaign this weekend.
   
  • Cheryl Salisbury's goal, which sent Australia to the 2007 World Cup quarterfinals, was voted Australia’s favorite sporting moment for 2007 in the SportingPulse 2007 Australian Sporting Moment of the Year People’s Choice Award.
   
  • Everton's Fara Williams is fired up to face Arsenal in The FA Tesco Women's Premier League Cup Final, which will take place on Feb. 28.
   
  • Damallsvenskan Newsblog has summaries from this past weekend's Swedish training matches.

The right path...

• Women's Professional Soccer receives provisional Division 1 status.
 
• WPS lines up investors.

Prove it...

• National Team news:
   
  • From the U.S. Soccer WNT Blog: Camp concludes and the Algarve Cup roster is expected to be released on Tuesday or Wednesday, Tobin Heath heads home with a surfboard and Heather Mitts pays a visit to the dentist's chair.
   
  • Shannon Boxx talks about shouldering the load in the U.S. midfield with NBCOlympics.com's Martin Thorstensson.
   
  • Lori Chalupny posted a quick journal entry as National Team camp ended.
   
  • The U.S. U-20s won the Four Nations Tournament in Chile on Friday with a 5-1 victory over the host country. Kelley O'Hara scored two goals and an assist while Michelle Enyeart notched a goal and two assists.
 
• Women's Professional Socccer news:
   
  • Martin Rogers at Yahoo! Sports writes that Women's Professional Soccer is the last shot for a professional women's league in the U.S.
   
  • Chicago President & CEO Peter Wilt shares some behind-the-scenes notes to give fans an idea of what his franchise is working on.
   
  • WPS has posted 10 video clips documenting its Town Hall Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pa. on Feb. 8 at the U.S. Youth Soccer adidas Workshop. (Link is to clip #1. The rest of the clips can be found by scrolling down the linked to page.)
 
• International news:
   
  • Nigeria downed South Africa, 1-0, over the weekend in an African 2008 Olympic qualifier.
   
  • Depending on your viewpoint, Sweden defeated Norway for the first time since just before the 2000 Olympics (an unofficial match according to the Norwegians) or since the 1995 European Championships (viewed as an official match by both sides) by a 2-0 score Saturday in Cyprus (Swedish report, Norwegian report, Damallsvenskan Newsblog report). Sweden received a goal from each of its starting forwards, Lotta Schelin and Jessica Landström. Next up for both teams is the Algarve Cup in Portugal from March 5-12.
   
  • In EURO 2009 Qualifying over the weekend, Italy used four goals in the last 10 minutes to down Ireland, 4-1, and Belgium edged Wales, 1-0.
   
  • Canada's Rhian Wilkinson blogs about training camp, the Starbucks across the street blowing up and Martin and Steve Nash's impact on women's soccer.
   
  • Birgit Prinz discusses winning the 2007 World Cup, what's next on the German National Team's agenda and her club situation at FFC Frankfurt with Kicker Online. (German)
   
  • In Women's Bundesliga action over the weekend, FFC Frankfurt romped over Hamburger SV, 5-1, and FCR Duisburg tied VfL Wolfsburg, 2-2, in Martina Voss's debut as FCR Duisburg's head coach.

Deserved winners...

• National Team news:
   
  • From the U.S. Soccer WNT Blog: The National Team held its last double day on Friday.
   
  • Tina Ellertson blogs about how she found out she was pregnant just before September's World Cup and how she is going to try to come back in time for the Olympics following her baby's birth in mid-May.
   
  • The U.S. U-23s tied Germany, 1-1, yesterday in La Manga, Spain. Germany went ahead 1-0 in the 71st minute but had a player redcarded in the 84th. The U.S. took advantage of the man advantage as Elizabeth Eng equalized in the 88th minute. With the tie, Germany won the tournament while the U.S. finished second. (German)
   
  • The U.S. U-18s are holding their first camp of the year, and first camp since 2001, from Feb. 17-24 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
 
• International news:
   
  • Nigeria will attempt to revive its hopes of qualifying for the 2008 Olympics when it faces South Africa today.
   
  • Ireland and Italy meet today in an important EURO 2009 Qualifier.
   
  • Kristin Hammarström will make her international debut as she gets the start in goal today for Sweden as it faces Norway in Cyprus. Malin Levenstad will also debut in the Swedish defense. (Swedish)
   
  • Damallsvenskan Newsblog has lots of notes from the Swedish league.

A little stir crazy...

• National Team news:
   
  • Heather Mitts talks about her return from an ACL injury in a USSoccer.com video.
   
  • ESPNsoccernet's Lindsey Dolich writes about Kristine Lilly and Tina Frimpong taking some time off from the National Team to be soccer moms and how they're already eyeing their comebacks.
   
  • From the U.S. Soccer WNT Blog: The players held their first ever team breakfast out before most of the squad got the day off.
   
  • USSoccer.com has posted game reports from the U-23s and U-20s' victories over Norway on Wednesday.
   
  • Kristine Lilly journals about a visit to the Children's Hospital of Boston.
 
• Women's Professional Soccer news:
   
  • Chicago's Peter Wilt blogs about yet another WPS brush with greatness.
 
• International news:
   
  • England edged Norway, 2-1, yesterday in Cyprus with Kelly Smith striking the game-winner on a penalty kick (English game report, Norwegian game report). Eight Arsenal players started for England in the match, a new record. Norway faces Sweden on Saturday in Cyprus as the week of friendly matches concludes.
   
  • With EURO 2009 Qualifying resuming on Saturday, UEFA.com breaks down the status of each group.
   
  • Canada Soccer has an update on the Canadian National Team's ongoing residency camp.

A thorough search...

• National Team news:
   
  • In a USSoccer.com podcast, Amy Rodriguez talks about her return to the National Team and about how camp is going.
   
  • From the U.S. Soccer WNT Blog: Leslie Osborne and Rachel Buehler survive a nasty collision, the team helps Pia Sundhage celebrate her birthday and the players struck a pose during photo day.
   
  • Bouncing back from a loss to England on Monday, the U.S. U-23s downed Norway, 2-0, yesterday in La Manga, Spain. Yael Averbuch scored the game-winner in the 21st minute. A Norwegian own goal in the 72nd provide the final margin of victory. The USA's Nikki Krzysik was shown a straight red card. The U.S. U-23s conclude their trip with a game against Germany on Saturday. (Norwegian)
   
  • The U.S. U-20s also posted a victory over Norway yesterday. The U-20s won by a 2-1 margin in La Serana, Chile. Keelin Winters put the U-20s on the scoreboard in the 11th minute and Theresa Noyola added a score in the 42nd. Norway pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute. The U.S. U-20s conclude their trip with a match against Chile on Friday. (Norwegian)
   
  • The WPS site reports on the master's degree U.S. U-20 head coach Tony DiCicco is receiving while he prepares to guide the Boston Breakers in 2009.
 
• WPS news:
   
  • Chicago President Peter Wilt blogs about his team's search for a head coach.
   
  • WPS has posted video interviews with its new part owners: two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash and former Yahoo! COO Peter Mallett.
 
• International news:
   
  • Mexico will face NCAA champion USC in a friendly at the Coliseum on Feb. 22.
   
  • As England prepares to face Norway today, Fara Williams says that the Lions should not fear any team.
   
  • Silvia Neid has announced her 20-player roster (GK, D, M, F, on call) for Germany's Feb. 28 friendly against China and the Algarve Cup. Simone Laudehr, Renate Lingor and Sandra Smisek each made the roster as they have recovered from injuries. (German)
   
  • Frauenfußball-Blog auf Ballhöhe has the complete 2008 Algarve Cup schedule. (German)
   
  • From Damallsvenskan Newsblog: In an exhibition match Saturday, Swedish club LDB FC Malmö defeated South Africa's National Team, 3-1.
   
  • Siegfried Dietrich, the General Manager of FFC Frankfurt, has had his contract extended by three years.
   
  • Aftenposten has a feature on Lise Klaveness who has returned to Norway to play for Asker after suiting up for Sweden's Umeå for a few years. (Norwegian)

Walking on a knife-edge...

• National Team news:
   
  • In a Q&A with NBC Olympics, Brandi Chastain reveals that she tried to talk Pia Sundhage into giving her a tryout with the National Team, but the U.S. head coach opted to look at younger players.
   
  • Former National Team captain Kristine Lilly provides an update on her pregnancy and an update on the content on her website.
 
• International news:
   
  • France's Elisabeth Loisel, who was appointed as China's head coach in October, is already catching fire and may soon lose her job. According to published reports, she has engaged in a public feud with Chinese officials over the management of the team - from player selection to dietary matters - and has been fined by the Chinese for repeated tardiness.
   
  • Sweden downed England, 2-0, yesterday in a friendly in Cyprus (Swedish report, English report, Damallsvenskan Newsblog report). Lotta Schelin struck for both goals. "I would say the whole team played well, but Lotta's performance was of a high international class. In addition to the goals, she was good in receiving the ball, she challenged, she made abundant runs and she was also good in her defensive play where she won the ball back several times for the team," said Swedish head coach Thomas Dennerby (rough translation). England meets Norway on Thursday, while Sweden will be back in action on Saturday against Norway.
   
  • Expressen has more on Schelin's fantastic play against England. (Swedish)
   
  • From Frauenfußball-Blog auf Ballhöhe, if you happen to be in Germany during the Algarve Cup, you can catch the games live on ZDF. (German)
   
  • From Damallsvenskan Newsblog, Brazilians Cristiane and Daniela have signed with Swedish club Linköpings FC and an update on rumors that Formiga may wind up back in Sweden as well. Cristiane and Daniela will join Linköpings FC on March 1 and stay until the Swedish league breaks for the 2008 Olympics. Meanwhile, Brazilian site BOM DIA reports that Formiga rejected Umea's offer as she wishes to stay in Brazil through the Olympics and then investigate opportunities overseas (Portuguese).
   
  • Former German National Team player Martina Voss, who owns 125 caps, has been named the head coach of German club FCR Duisburg. (German)

Just T...

• National Team news:
   
  • In its first game under new head coach Tony DiCicco, the U.S. U-20s downed England, 1-0, yesterday in La Serena, Chile on a goal by 17-year-old Teresa Noyola. The U-20s face Norway on Feb. 13.
   
  • The San Francisco Chronicle profiles Noyola, who may be small at only 5'3" but makes up for it with her incredible soccer intelligence.
   
  • The U.S. U-23s had a rough start at the La Manga Tournament as they fell to England, 3-1, yesterday in La Manga, Spain. The U-23s will face Norway on Feb. 23.
   
  • From the U.S. Soccer WNT Blog: Cat Whitehill is the team's top driver, Nicole Barnhart had two cats named after NT players while growing up and half of the team got to lift on "muscle beach".
   
  • Heather Mitts has posted an update from training camp to her blog.
   
  • Soccer is an escape for Afghan teenager Shamila Kohestani, who attended the Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy in 2006.
 
• WPS news:
   
  • According to the Red Card blog, Brazil's head coach Jorge Barcellos has inquired about Chicago WPS's head coaching position and will interview for the job later this week.
   
  • The Bay Area is in a holding pattern for obtaining a WPS franchise due to stadium issues. (bottom third of article)
 
• International news:
   
  • The WPS site offers a breakdown of the teams - England, Norway and Sweden - who will be competing in a slate of friendlies in Cyprus this week.
   
  • Sweden has announced its starters for today's match against England in Cyprus. Included in the starting lineup is midfielder Lisa Dahlkvist who will be making her National Team debut. (Swedish)
   
  • Damallsvenskan Newsblog has summaries from recent Swedish league training matches.
   
  • Soccer unites Iranian and German women in a documentary entitled "Football Under Cover", which was shown at the Berlin Film Festival over the weekend.

Refreshing...

• National Team news:
   
  • Heather Mitts is making progress step by step in her ACL recovery.
   
  • From the U.S. Soccer WNT Blog: The players got back to work on Saturday before the flashbulbs started popping for a few photo shoots.
   
  • Mia Hamm and her husband, Nomar Garciaparra, know that parenthood takes teamwork.
 
• WPS news:
   
  • Steve Nash wants Women's Professional Soccer to inspire young girls.
 
• International news:
   
  • Norwegian head coach Bjarne Berntsen talks about taking his team to Cyprus this week to train and play matches against England and Sweden. (Norwegian)
   
  • Completely missed this one from last week: FIFA has announced that the Olympic Draw will take place on April 20 in Beijing. On the eve of the draw, a playoff for the last Olympic berth between the second-placed teams in South America (CONMEBOL) and Africa (CAF), namely FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007 finalists Brazil and either Ghana or Nigeria, will be held at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing.
   
  • Damallsvenskan Newsblog has more on Brazilian forward Cristiane being close to signing a contract with Swedish club Linköpings FC and on Swedish club interest in her fellow Brazilians Daniela and Formiga.
   
  • A week before the German Bundesliga season resumes, Thomas Obliers and Patrick Jetten have resigned as head coach and assistant coach at FCR Duisburg, which sits in second place. Former National Team player Inka Grings and current National Team player Sonja Fuss have temporarily taken over the coaching duties. (German)

A vociferous backing...

• National Team news:
   
  • U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage has made a number of roster moves as the National Team enters its second week of training at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. USSoccer.com also explores the qualities it takes for a younger player to make the National Team roster.
   
  • From the U.S. Soccer WNT Blog: The younger players participating in the mega-camp held one final scrimmage on Thursday before the players who are remaining in camp for the second week got to enjoy a day off on Friday.
   
  • Lindsay Tarpley posts an update on 2008 to her blog.
 
• WPS news:
   
  • Chicago WPS President Peter Wilt has posted blogs detailing his trip to the USYSA Workshop in Pittsburgh, the WPS staff's brushes with greatness and the second WPS Town Hall Meeting.
 
• International news:
   
  • The venues for the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, to be held Oct. 28-Nov. 16 in New Zealand, have been confirmed.
   
  • England will host Czech Republic in Doncaster on March 20 in a EURO 2009 Qualifier.
   
  • Sweden is taking a young and inexperienced team to Cyprus to train and play matches against Norway and England this upcoming week. (Swedish)
   
  • Dagens Nyheter reports that Swedish club Linköpings FC is close to signing forward Cristiane, who has scored 18 goals in 31 appearances for Brazil (Swedish). Placar says that Cristiane's contract should be finalized on Monday, while UOL Esporte says that Daniela Alves is close to joining Cristiane at Linköpings (Brazilian).
   
  • As reported by womensoccer.de, Germany's Linda Bresonik is leaving SG Essen-Schönebeck at the end of the season. She says she has a better offer from another top club and will sign a contract with that club next week. Kicker Online also says that Bresonik has decided to have surgery to address a knee cartilege issue as she was unable to participate in the National Team's fitness training this week in Cologne. She still aims to play in the Olympics. (German)
   
  • From Damallsvenskan Newsblog, Brazilian midfielder Elaine is still hoping to play in the Olympics despite undergoing ACL surgery on Wednesday (Swedish).
   
  • Marika Domanski Lyfors talks about her new job as football chief of the Swedish federation and also about her experience in China as that country's head coach. (Swedish)

The right thing to say...

• National Team news:
   
  • Tiffany Weimer, who is training with the National Team this week, has re-signed with the WPSL's Connecticut Reds for the 2008 season. In 2007, she earned East MVP & First Team All-WPSL honors while playing for the Reds.
   
  • Lorrie Fair, the youngest member of the U.S. World Cup-winning team in 1999, is now playing at English club Chelsea and will be chatting online at www.chelseafc.com/america on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 1pm EST/10am PST about international adventures, what she’s doing on and off the field, and what she hopes to accomplish as the first American to play in the Women's Premier League.
   
  • Mia Hamm will be inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame on March 11.
   
  • Fair Game Magazine's Gayle Bryan talks with former National Team head coach Greg Ryan about moving on.
 
• International news:
   
  • damfotboll.com is reporting that W-League side FC Indiana has expressed interest in Brazilian midfielder Daniela, who Swedish club Umeå IK may also be interested in as a replacement for fellow Brazilian midfielder Elaine who was recently lost with an ACL tear. Daniela is currently with Brazilian club FC Saad.
   
  • From Damallsvenskan Newsblog: Swedish club LDB Malmö has left for two weeks of training in South Africa, Umeå Södra has signed American forward Jennifer Nobis and Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC routs a Division 1 side in an exhibition match.
   
  • SVT has a video interview with Elaine who will miss a minimum of six months while rehabbing her ACL injury meaning she likely won't be able to represent Brazil at the Olympics. (Swedish)

A perfect storm...

• National Team news:
   
  • From the U.S. Soccer WNT Blog: Yesterday was another good, hard day of work for the players as they continued to train in veteran and young player groups but then joined together for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and they also notched a David Beckham sighting.
   
  • Chelsea Ladies are trying to hit the top with their signing of former National Team player Lorrie Fair.
 
• WPS news:
   
  • Women's Professional Soccer officially announced yesterday that two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash and former Yahoo! President and COO Jeff Mallett have joined the league as part owners.
   
  • In a feature found on the WPS site, background is provided on the ongoing conversation that led to Mallett and Nash becoming part owners in the league and on what their ownership means for the league.
   
  • The Daily Herald has a profile of hometown hero Tonya Antonucci, now the Commissioner of Women's Professional Soccer.
   
  • The Cary News reports that WPS is eyeing Cary, N.C. for expansion. Cary was home to the WUSA's Carolina Courage from 2001-2003. Commissioner Antonucci will meet with a group of interested Triangle investors on Feb. 23.
 
• International news:
   
  • FIFA does not feel the quality of play at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup justifies an increase in the number of participating teams as there is still a large gap between the top and bottom teams (second to last graph).
   
  • Head coach Hope Powell has named her 20-player roster for England's trip to Cyprus. England will face Sweden on Feb. 12 and Norway on Feb. 14.
   
  • Rhian Wilkinson journals about getting back into residency with the Canadian National Team and her struggle to get re-adjusted to Vancouver time after competing at the Four Nations Tournament in China.
   
  • Australia's Heather Garriock, who owns 97 international caps, has signed with Fortuna Hjørring. Garriock's signing fills a hole on the left side for the Danish club that was created when Johanna Rasmussen left for Swedish club Umeå late last year.
   
  • From Damallsvenskan Newsblog: Umeå most likely will not try to replace Brazilian midfielder Elaine, who suffered a torn ACL in late January, with another high profile signing. Instead the club will likely promote a player from its development side to take Elaine's spot. Meanwhile, Umeå hasn't ruled out pursuing Brazilian forward Cristiane, but Linköpings FC, another Swedish club, is also in on the chase for her services.

Catchet...

• National Team news:
   
  • From the U.S. Soccer WNT Blog: A report on the younger players' second scrimmage and a guest blog from Heather O'Reilly.
   
  • USSoccer.com provides an update on Aly Wagner who underwent double sports hernia surgery on January 30. She could be back kicking a soccer ball in a month.
   
  • Hiring former National Team coach Greg Ryan as its own head coach is a big addition for the University of Michigan.
 
• WPS news:
   
  • Sports Business Daily reports on Women's Professional Soccer luring two big names in two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash and former Yahoo President and COO Jeff Mallett as investors.
   
  • The AP says that Nash is now using his superior vision to forsee success for Women's Professional Soccer.
   
  • There are two new prospective player blogs at the WPS site as Manya Makoski writes about her post-college soccer journey and Kacey White gets her blog started with a glance at her life as a soccer player.
 
• International news:
   
  • Germany's Navina Omilade, who just missed the cut for the 2007 Women's World Cup roster, has her sights sets on making the Olympic team (German).
   
  • womensoccer.de says that Ghana's Cynthia Uwak, who was just named the 2007 African Footballer of the Year, is in negotiations to come to the United States to play for the W-League's FC Indiana. (German)
   
  • UEFA has unveiled the logo and announced the host cities for the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009, which will take place in Finland from Aug. 23-Sept. 10, 2009.
   
  • Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe says the governament and the FA must do more to support women's soccer in England.

Monday morning news...

• National Team news:
   
  • The U.S. Soccer WNT Blog is back with a glimpse at the format for the opening week of the National Team's mega-camp and an update on Aly Wagner and Marian Dalmy who have both gone under the knive. The blog also has reports on the younger players' first scrimmage, some soggy training conditions and the team's Super Bowl party.
 
• WPS news:
   
  • Women's Professional Soccer will host a Town Hall Meeting on Friday, Feb. 8 at the U.S. Youth Soccer Workshop in Pittsburgh, Pa.
 
• International news:
   
  • Nigeria's Cynthia Uwak has won the 2007 African Women's Footballer of the Year award.
   
  • With a 3-1 win over Blackburn, Arsenal moved into first place in the Women's Premier League. Lorrie Fair made her Women's Premier League debut in Chelsea's 4-3 loss to Doncaster Rovers Belles.
   
  • Damallsvenskan Newsblog summarizes this weekend's Swedish training matches as Djurgården and LDB FC Malmö posted victories as did Linköping FC.

Absolutely hammered them...

• National Team news:
   
  • Christie Welsh talks candidly with Fair Game Magazine's Gayle Bryan about what may be her last chance with the U.S. National Team.
   
  • With a 3-2 victory over Germany today, the U.S. U-17s won the Future Stars Tournament in New Zealand. Captain Kristen Mewis scored twice in the second half to lead the U.S. to victory.
   
  • The U.S. U-23 head coach Bill Irwin has announced his roster for a trip to La Manga, Spain from Feb. 8-16. The U-23s will face the U-23 sides from England on Feb. 11, Norway on Feb. 13 and Germany on Feb. 16.
   
  • Tony DiCicco has named the U.S. U-20 roster that will travel to La Serena, Chile from Feb. 7-17. The U-20s will face the U-20 sides from England on Feb. 11, Norway on Feb. 13 and Chile on Feb. 15.
   
  • Stephanie Cox has been named the Oregon Amateur Athlete of the Year.
   
  • BBC Sport says that Chelsea's signing of Lorrie Fair was a coup.
   
  • Mia Hamm and her husband, Nomar Garciaparra, are attending the Super Bowl this weekend.
   
  • Former National Team head coach Greg Ryan has been named the head coach at the University of Michigan. He replaces former National Team player Debbie Rademacher, who resigned at the end of the season after guiding the Wolverines for 14 years. The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News have more.
 
• WPS news:
   
  • Chicago president Peter Wilt blogs about how his team will reach out to youth and announces Chicago's first Town Hall Meeting, which will occur on March 8 at 11am at the IYSA Soccer Expo at the Schaumburg Sports Center. The forum will feature National Soccer Hall of Famer Julie Foudy, Chicago WPS General Manager Marcia McDermott and Wilt and will be moderated by USA Today Sports Columnist Christine Brennan.
 
• International news:
   
  • Canadian goalkeeper Taryn Swiatek has announced her retirement. She was a member of Canada's 2003 and 2007 World Cup squads.
   
  • Kelly Smith has been chosen as the Nationwide England Women's Player of the Year.
   
  • Papua New Guinea has announced its roster for the Olympic qualifier it will host in Port Moresby on March 8 against New Zealand. The winner of the one-game playoff will represent the Oceania Football Confederation at the Beijing Games.
   
  • From Damallsvenskan Newsblog: Swedish club Umeå is considering how to replace Brazilian Elaine who has torn her ACL and will miss at least six months. The club's options include looking overseas for a replacement. Elaine plans to stay in Sweden to rehab.

Raise the profile...

• From the WPS site, a mega-introduction to the younger and less experienced goalkeepers and defenders who are training with the National Team this week.
 
• The Michigan Daily is reporting the former National Team coach Greg Ryan will be named head coach at the University of Michigan.
 
• Chelsea Ladies has the official announcement of its signing of former National Team player Lorrie Fair, believed to be the first American to sign with an English club. Fair began her stay at Chelsea by donning a coach's whistle.
 
• John Ryan blogs about Fair resuming her playing career at Chelsea and her dilemma when it comes to deciding whether to play in Women's Professional Soccer in 2009.
   
• Julie Foudy will serve as a studio analyst for ESPN's Thursday night MLS broadcasts.
 
• From Damallsvenskan Newsblog: The knee injury suffered by Brazil's Elaine over the weekend while playing for Swedish club Umeå has been diagnosed as an ACL tear. Elaine also has other ligament damage and will miss at least six months meaning the Olympics are likely out of the picture. Damfotboll.com has more. (English)

It's your birthday...

• National Team news:
   
  • Kealia Ohai scored a pair of goals on her 16th birthday to help the U.S. U-17s to a 5-0 victory over host New Zealand at the Future Stars Tournament today. In other action, Germany dusted off Australia, 5-1. Germany and the U.S. meet on Feb. 2 for the championship.
   
  • U.S. U-17 head coach Kazbeck Tambi discusses his squad and the U.S. college system in an interview with the Oceania Football Confederation.
   
  • Lorrie Fair, who owns 120 caps and last played on the National Team in 2005, has signed a six-month contract with Chelsea in the Women's Premiere League in England.
   
  • Danesha Adams, the 2006 U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year, has signed to play with the W-League's Pali Blues SC.
   
  • Michael Lewis breaks down the Hall of Fame ballot and says that Joy Fawcett is hall worthy.
 
• WPS news:
   
  • Chicago owner Peter Wilt takes on the excuses he heard at the WPS Town Hall Meeting at the 2008 NSCAA Convention and offers the real reason the new league should be supported.
 
• International news:
   
  • Last night Colombia, Brazil and Paraguay clinched berths into the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, which will be played Oct. 28-Nov. 16 in New Zealand. The South American trio of nations joins host New Zealand and Asia's North Korea, Japan and South Korea in qualifying for the final tournament.
   
  • Steffi Jones, President of Germany's 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Organizing Committee, is in New Zealand to check out that country's prepations for the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, which it will host Oct. 28-Nov. 16. (German)

A credible performance...

• Damallsvenskan Newsblog is reporting that the U.S. will travel to Sweden for a match on July 5.
 
• USSoccer.com has its official game report from the U.S. U-17s 6-0 romp over Australia yesterday at the Future Stars Tournament. The U-17s face host New Zealand tomorrow.
 
• Damfotboll.com has posted an English translation of its interview with Pia Sundhage from a few days ago.
 
• Jillian Ellis is excited to continue her education as an assistant coach for the National Team.
 
• From the WPS site, the starting 11 with Shannon Boxx.
 
• With the New England Patriots going for perfection in the Super Bowl on Sunday, the LA Times' Christine Daniels takes a look back at another legendary team, the 1999 Women's World Cup Champions.
 
• International news:
   
  • New Zealand's U-17s know they'll have their hands full against the U.S. U-17s tomorrow at the Future Stars Tournament.
   
  • Thomas Dennerby has announced his roster for Sweden's trip to Cyprus where it will face England on Feb. 12 and Norway on Feb. 16 (Swedish). The roster includes six players who have received their first National Team call-in. Damallsvenskan Newsblog has more on the roster (English).
   
  • Damfotboll.com has a brief feature on Anna Lindblom, a member of Sweden's U-19s who is going into her first full National Team camp. Dagens Nyheter has more with Lindblom. (Swedish)

Scant regard...

• Pia Sundhage has called 37 players into a mega-camp that begins Feb. 1 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. For the first week, Sundhage will split the 37 players into two groups, a larger one consisting of younger players and the other made up of veterans, who will focus primarily on fitness and strength training with new fitness coach Helena Andersson. On Feb. 9, Sundage will release some of the younger players while the remaining players from the first group will come together with the veterans for a week of training before she chooses the Algarve Cup roster.
 
• The U.S. U-17s opened the U-17 Future Stars tournament in New Zealand with a 6-0 romp over Australia today. Samantha Mewis notched a hat trick while Victoria DiMartino, Kristen Mewis and Courtney Verloo also scored. In the day's other match, Germany blanked New Zealand, 4-0, as Svenja Huth netted a pair of goals. On Thursday, Jan. 31, the U.S. faces New Zealand while German meets Australia.
 
• Lori Chalupny journals about the end of the USA's time in China for the Four Nations Tournament, attending the Olympic Ambassador Program and her reaction to being served Chinese food at one of her first meals back in the States.
 
• International news:
   
  • Current Australia captain Cheryl Salisbury is serving as an assistant coach for the Matildas' U-17s as they compete at the Future Stars tournament in Auckland, New Zealand this week.
   
  • Norwegian head coach Bjarne Berntsen has selected his roster for a training trip to Cyprus from Feb. 10-20. Norway will face England on Feb. 14 and Sweden on Feb. 16 as part of the trip. (Norwegian)
   
  • Runa Vikestad, a 23-year-old who plays for Kolbotn, received her first National Team callup for Norway. (Norwegian)
   
  • Head coach Thomas Dennerby is expected to announce his roster for Sweden's trip to Cyprus today. It will include Göteborgs FC's Johanna Almgren who is returning to the National Team for the first time since suffering three major knee injuries - tearing her ACL in both her knees and tearing cartilege in her right knee. (Swedish)
   
  • Brazil's Elaine is scheduled to undergo an MRI today on her knee, which she injured on Saturday while playing for Swedish club Umeå IK. It is hoped that she will only miss six weeks of action. (Swedish)

Success story...

• National Team news:
   
  • Carli Lloyd will accept the Philadelphia SportsWriters' Association's Native Son/Daughter Award tonight.
   
  • Pia Sundhage talks with damfotboll.com about Mia Hamm's Soccer Celebrity Challenge, seeing Kristine Lilly again, the positive feedback Hamm gave her on her coaching style and her challenge as the U.S. head coach. (Swedish)
   
  • Expressen also catches up with Sundhage (Swedish).
   
  • Jillian Ellis, who coaches at UCLA, begins as a National Team assistant coach on Feb. 1 and will not miss any Bruins' games this fall.
   
  • Hamm's Celebrity Soccer Challenge scored big. Andrea Canales kept a running blog of the action at Sideline Views and wrote at ESPNsoccernet that Hamm rallied the celebrity troops for a good cause.
 
• WPS news:
   
  • From the WPS site, a look at the items on the league and teams' agendas during the next six months.
 
• International news:
   
  • Dandal at Damallsvenskan Newsblog summarizes this past weekend's results from the LDB Sports Cup, an indoor tournament contested on full-size fields by four prominent European clubs: Norway's Kolbotn, Denmark's Brøndby and Sweden's Umeå IK and LDB FC Malmö. Umeå won the event and a $10,000 cash prize thanks to a extra time PK by Marta, but lost Brazilian Elaine to a knee injury (Swedish) whose severity has not been determined. Umeå Andrée Jeglertz hopes Elaine's injury is only a bruise or the like, but acknowledges that it could be ligament damage.
   
  • Rhian Wilkinson won a CanadaSoccer.com Fan Choice award.

Point to the logo...

• Tony DiCicco has been named the head coach of the U.S. U-20s who will attempt to qualify for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup being held in Chile from Nov. 20-Dec. 7. DiCicco is also the head coach of the Boston Breakers who will kick off play in WPS in 2009. Jillian Ellis who was formerly in charge of the U.S. U-20s has accepted an assistant coach position with the full National Team.
 
• ESPNsoccernet's Lindsey Dolich writes that the U.S. impressed at the Four Nations Tournament in its first games under new head coach Pia Sundhage.
 
• Mia Hamm is happy to be hanging around the crib and playing in today's Celebrity Soccer Challenge, which will benefit the bone marrow transplant program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and the Mia Hamm Foundation. A number of soccer greats will participate in the match including Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Kristine Lilly, Brandi Chastain and Abby Wambach.
 
• Hamm will be inducted into the North Carolina Soccer Hall of Fame tonight. Her former National Team and collegiate head coach, Anson Dorrance, will accept her award.
 
• International news:
   
  • Franz Beckenbauer, the president of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee, handed over the organizing committee's headquarters’ key to Steffi Jones, President of the 2011 World Cup Organizing Committee. (Videos included with German version of the article.)
   
  • From womensoccer.de: Germany hopes to host the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and former German defender Sandra Minnert will serve as an ambassador for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.
   
  • From Damallsvenskan Newsblog: Roland Arnqvist, the manager of Swedish club Umeå IK is quitting. Västerbottens Folkblad reports that after 25 years, Arnqvist will leave his job on June 1 (Swedish).
   
  • Umeå IK's Hanna Ljungberg says Arnqvist is to thank for all of her club's success. (Swedish)
   
  • Marta converted a PK to win the LdB Sport Cup for Umeå IK. (Swedish)
   
  • SVT.se has video coverage of Marta playing with Umeå IK at the LdB Sport Cup and an interview with Arnqvist. (Swedish)

Another retirement...

• Linda Hamilton, a defender on the 1991 World Champion team, is one of 15 candidates listed on the National Hall of Fame's Veterans ballot. The veteran who is named on the most ballots is elected, with a minimum of 50% required for election.
 
• International news:
   
  • Goalkeeper Bente Nordby has retired from the Norwegian National Team and will not play in the 2008 Olympics. Nordby owns 172 caps and helped Norway with the 2000 Olympics, 1995 World Cup and 1993 European Championship. She is currently playing for Olympique Lyonnais, a French club. (Norwegian)
   
  • The German Football Assocation opened its 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup organizing office today with 150 guests in attendance. Former German great Steffi Jones is leading the Organizing Committee. (German - link includes video)
   
  • Germany's Bianca Rech, who owns 20 caps but did not make the 2007 World Cup team, has signed with Bayern München in the Women's Bundesliga through early 2010. (German)
   
  • Elaine Sun, who worked as Canada's video technologist, gives a behind-the-scenes look at the team's time in China for the Four Nations Tournament.

Warriors...

• National Team news:
   
  • Pia Sundhage oozes passion for the game. "That's my way of living," she told SoccerAmerica, "to be around soccer."
   
  • The U.S. U-17 roster has been announced for the 2008 Future Stars Tournament taking place from Jan. 29 through Feb. 2 in New Zealand. The U-17s will face Australia on Jan. 29, New Zealand on Jan. 31 and Germany on Feb. 2. New Zealand will host the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, the first-ever at this age level, from Oct. 30-Nov. 16.
   
  • Tani Costa, a junior at Kalani High School in Hawaii, has been selected to represent the U.S. U-17s at the Future Stars Tournament in Auckland, New Zealand at the end of the month.
   
  • Mia Hamm chats with Marc Connolly