U.S. women’s team named for Algarve Cup in Portugal

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With the next Women’s World Cup not until 2011 in Germany, and the next Olympic Games not until 2012 in London, 2009 figures to be a quiet year for the U.S. women’s national team.

Which is why suchtournaments as the 16th annual Algarve Cup in Portugal (March 4-11) are significant.

‘We will not play as many matches this year as we did in 2008, so these games are important to keep the team evolving, in defending, but especially in the attack,’ U.S. Coach Pia Sundhage said Thursday when naming the 18-player roster she will take to Portugal.

‘These games will test out ability to play our style while developing a rhythm that helps make our attack unpredictable and involves a lot of different players and positions. Of course, we are bringing some young players to the tournament this year and it will be great to get them some experience in these kinds of games.’

The U.S., the reigning Olympic champion, opens against Denmark on March 4 in Group A and also plays Iceland on March 6 and Norway on March 9. Group B features reigning world champion Germany as well as Sweden, China and Finland. Group C consists of host Portugal along with Poland, Austria and Wales.

The winners of Groups A and B will play for the tournament title on March 11. The U.S, which has won the Algarve Cup six times, feature 13 players from its 2008 Olympic gold medal-winning team.

The U.S. roster (with the player’s Women’s Professional Soccer club afiliation):

Goalkeepers: Nicole Barnhart (FC Gold Pride); Hope Solo (St. Louis Athletica).

Defenders: Rachel Buehler (FC Gold Pride); Lori Chalupny (St. Louis); Kendall Fletcher (Los Angeles Sol); Heather Mitts (Boston Breakers); Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC).

Midfielders: Shannon Boxx (Sol); Tina DiMartino (FC Gold Pride); Carli Lloyd (Chicago Red Stars); Heather O’Reilly (Sky Blue FC); Lindsay Tarpley (Chicago); Kacey White (Sky Blue FC); Angie Woznuk (St. Louis).

Forwards: Angela Hucles (Boston); Natasha Kai (Sky Blue FC); Megan Rapinoe (Chicago); Amy Rodriguez (Boston).

--Grahame L. Jones