Nikesoccer

Achieving Their Goal

Gronamo — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:20:45 GMT

Leaping high above the Irish defense, Natasha Kai smashed a clean header past the helpless goalkeeper and into the net. The goal was Tash's team-leading 14th of the year and the 22nd of her career. More importantly, it was a big thank you to all the fans who had supported the WNT throughout their gold-winning campaign in Beijing.

With a 2-0 defeat of Ireland in Philadelphia, the U.S. women have officially kicked-off their "Achieve Your Gold Tour." The ten-game tour was designed as a way for the team to share their Beijing victory with supporters from across the country. Next stop is Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. this Wednesday evening, where they’ll again line up against the Irish. The team will then finish off their three game series against Ireland in Chicago on Saturday,September 20.

Gold is Still the Goal

Gronamo — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:09:51 GMT

By now you probably already know: Abby's out. Yesterday, in the 85th minute, Carli Lloyd connected with Natasha Kai off a set piece to give the Americans the lone goal in a friendly versus Brazil, the last tune up before Beijing. For supporters of American soccer, though, the win was a mere afterthought. Fifty-four minutes before Kai's game-winner, Abby collided with a Brazilian defender and fractured her tibia and fibula. That means at least twelve weeks on the sidelines and then a period of intense rehabilitation. It's a terrible blow for the U.S. and a massive setback for Abby.

But for the US WNT, it's not the end. To describe someone with 99 career goals in 127 games as "integral" is an understatement sure, but statistics don't reveal all the intangibles Abby has already shared with her teammates - intangibles that can't be carted off the field or put in a cast. You better believe that the leadership and experience and raw athletic courage Abby brought every time she put on the red, white and blue will still be there come August 6th. Now it's up to Tash and Carli and Tarp and everyone else on the WNT to step up. More than ever before, it's time for this special group to take their game to the next level.

Also, if there's one major reason for solace, it's the fact that for the past year the WNT coaching staff has tried to redefine the team's tactical style. No more sheer physicality and reliance on free-kicks. These players have shown recently that they can score without a big target striker. They have the talent to hold the ball, to possess and build and, let's hope, to finish the chances they consistently create. Abby might be gone, but gold is still the goal.

In the meantime, send Abby your wishes for a speedy recovery. After everything she's given us, she deserves all the support we can give her. Our thoughts are with you Abby. Get well soon!

Another Three Points?

Gronamo — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:35:37 GMT

A little bit of luck and a lot of hard work helped the US WNT earn an important three points against Australia in its first game of the Peace Queen Cup.

Tash scored the first - her team-leading 11th of 2008 - before Abby jumped over two defenders to send in the game-winner with the back of her noggin in the 77th minute. Like Landon, Abby's part of the 100-cap club, but now she's only four goals away from reaching triple-digits in career scoring.

The win was the third time the Americans beat the Australians by one goal this year. Now they're up against Brazil on Tuesday afternoon. It's a huge game for both teams. Brazil beat Italy 2-1 in their first game, but aside from the points at stake, there's a whole lot of confidence on the line that will be vital going into Beijing.

2008 Starts Now

gabejazzy — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:41:55 GMT

Where do we go from here? For the members of the U.S. WNT, the day after is a time for reflection; it’s a moment to look back at all the hard work invested in a dream that stopped just a game too short. For the real fans that have been watching from day one, it’s a chance to recognize some of the amazing achievements of this exceptional group of American athletes.

Until yesterday, they had played 51 games in two and a half years without a regulation loss, taking home the Algarve Cup, the Peace Cup, the Gold Cup, and the Four Nations Cup. There were amazing goals and amazing saves, first caps, courageous comebacks, five staples, 11 stiches, and, most importantly, an infectious spirit and camaraderie that made waking up to watch early morning Cup games something we looked forward to. A loss hurts, no doubt about it. But the loss of a championship hurts beyond words . However, knowing the competitiveness of this group, reflection will quickly turn into reaction. Let’s be real, for this team, playing for 3rd place was not the plan - it was not their intended way to cap off the trip to China. For them, Sunday's game vs Norway is now the first step towards Beijing 2008.
"Amazing saves, first caps, courageous comebacks, five staples, 11 stiches, an infectious spirit, camraderie..."

Forget about all the stories swirling around the media right now. To say things didn’t go our way yesterday would be a DRASTIC understatement. Brazil is a strong team that features a couple magicians up front, but an early own goal and playing a woman down certainly didn’t help our chances.

There’s nothing much to be gained from harping on poor refereeing, the fact that losing Shannon Boxx before halftime for a phantom foul was a small-scale tragedy. Not only did she not initiate contact, but she was a necessary component to a US comeback, not to mention someone who had worked so hard over the last year to recover from knee surgery and find her way back onto the the field. Thankfully Boxxy is the last person who’d waste time feeling sorry for herself. You’ll see her back in China soon enough, this time leading the charge for gold.

We know there’s still a game against Norway to be played, but thank you Abby, Tarp, Tash, Carli, Hope, Boxxy, Cat, Brianna, and the rest of the U.S. WNT for giving us all those weeks away from family, for your health, for your fight and for providing an example to which all athletic teams should strive. It’ll be bittersweet watching another Cup final without you, but we’re thinking of it as a chance to scout out the team you’ll be taking down next year.

Tune in on Sunday at 4:55AM EST to see our U.S. WNT take on Norway.

US WNT - The World

gabejazzy — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 16:42:43 GMT

The US WNT is feeling the pressure and nerves before they take on the world, but they are ready.

US WNT - USA v. Finland

gabejazzy — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 16:40:31 GMT

A 4-0 win in the final game of their Send Off Tour shows that the US WNT is ready.

US WNT - USA v. New Zealand

gabejazzy — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 16:33:17 GMT

A fantastic 3-0 win over New Zealand was a big confidence booster for the US WNT.

US WNT - USA v. Norway

gabejazzy — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 16:31:45 GMT

The US WNT executed its game plan to perfection and got the 1-0 win over Norway.