Nikesoccer

Not Today

DonJulio — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:25:51 GMT

After a long layoff, no matter how many hours you train, you never know what its going to be like back on the field.

Add in the defending world champions, their glossy new sold out stadium in Augsburg, and put the world #1 ranking on the line.

It could be a recipe for disaster.

But the USWNT went in as the world #1 and were willing to scrap and scramble to keep it.

A strong defense backed by the busy hands of Hope Solo kept the attacking Germans off the scoresheet, while in typical fashion Abby Wambach took her chance when it came.

A first half hardscrabble header from the stalwart striker proved to be the difference maker, giving her 101 goals in just 130 CAPS and the squad a 1-0 shutout.

They say the world is catching up to the US women. But not today.

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Discover more about the USWNT at their team page.

Back To Business

DonJulio — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:10:00 GMT

Three months since the last game.

A solid month of training camp.

You can't wait to get out there and be the first to every ball.

Game Time. Finally. A stage that makes all the training worth while.

After a lengthy hiatus due to the inaugural season of the American domestic league, Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd, Shannon Boxx, and Hope Solo lead the #1 world ranked USWNT into Germany Thursday to take on the two-time defending world champions in Augsburg. Dependable veterans and youthful potential make up a reworked U.S. side looking to top off a so far undefeated 2009 (6-0-1).

Can they prove to the world that #1 is not just a number?

Don't miss a single Make The Difference moment. Follow Nike Soccer on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace. Discover more about the USWNT at their team page.

Back To Training

adamspangler — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:10:38 GMT

Next year will be a busy year for the #1 ranked international squad. But right now it's all about training for the 23 women called into camp heading into their first game in months, October 29 in Germany when they take on the world champions. Returning stars Abby Wambach, Hope Solo, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, and Shannon Boxx will be back together once again, polishing skills that have them at the top of the rankings.

Staying on top is often harder than getting there. Having the success the USWNT has had in the last decade doesn't come without hard work, but staying on top, getting the best game out of every opponent, means training needs to be that much more intense.

The time the women put in now becomes the dividends collected on match day. It's all about finding that personal motivation to continue the killer instinct when the next game is still weeks away. That's where the USWNT finds themselves. Training makes the difference.

The Return of the Captain

adamspangler — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:29:53 GMT

Back from injury and back in training camp, Abby Wambach is again the unabashed leader of the USWNT. Coming off a successful return to the field in the inaugural season of the new US domestic league, the nation's best female soccer player is ready to again make the difference for her country as national team training camp begins in California this week.

You know her strength on the ball, breaking down defenses. You know her bravery in the box, willing the ball into the back of the net. You know when Abby is on the field that the chances of winning sky rocket.

But do you know Abby off the field? How she was introduced to soccer, the game she now dominates? What was high school like for one of the best soccer players in the world? Did you know she wants to start a soccer camp coupled with an organic farm?

Seventeen magazine sat down with the all time leading WNT scorer to discover that goals aren't just for scoring, or soccer; Abby thinks they are essential for life. Discover the real Abby Wambach here.

Clean Sweep

Gronamo — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:21:00 GMT

It might not have been one of the blowout victories we've become used to as WNT fans, but there wasn't much to complain about as the ladies brought home a 1-0 victory in Charleston, S.C. Wednesday night.

Well, maybe the heat. Even though the kickoff was at 8PM, the players couldn't escape the muggy 80 degree weather under the lights. And after a frustrating first half of no goals on a handful of solid tries, the weather seemed to reflect the mounting stress.

So Coach Sundhage turned to the youth of the team to light a fresh spark on the attack. And it paid off. The game winner finally came in the 89^th^ minute and the WNT would hold on to clinch the second-straight 1-0 victory against our neighbors to the north.

But let's not forget our secret, if relatively silent, weapon. We can always count on Hope Solo to be her usual self, as she made two point blank stops late in the game to save the clean sheet and ensure the sweep of the series.

Now it's back to professional (or collegiate) play for the WNT, as they prepare for the start of their WPS seasons, where they'll hone their skills for the next round of international bouts. And good luck to the Men's team as they face Honduras today at 6PM ET in Chicago (FSC).

Hometown Hero Nets 100

Gronamo — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:57:49 GMT

In front of a hometown crowd on Sunday, Abby completed her miraculous comeback from injury with her 100th career goal for the US WNT. A huge congrats goes out to Abby, who joins Mia Hamm and three others in this exclusive club.

Almost exactly a year ago today, Abby suffered a broken leg that kept her out of Beijing and the entire Achieve Your Gold tour. On Sunday, against a dangerous Canadian side, Abby showed us that the injury hasn’t changed her a bit.

Receiving a dangerous through ball in the box on a cutting run, Abby took one touch and put a surgical strike off the far right post and in. The hometown crowd of 9,000 in Rochester went wild for the game winner and Abby’s 100th, not to mention her first goal since coming back. A goal can’t get more special than that (check it out here).

The US had a number of other chances, pounding the Canadians with 21 shots including a laser that Angela Hucles put off the crossbar from 20 yards in the 8th minute. But in a fitting end, Abby’s was the only one that found the back of the net.

The WNT faces Canada again on Wednesday (July 22nd, FSC, 8 PM ET). Well done Abby on 100! Now bring on 101!

Defeat Thy Neighbor

Gronamo — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:25:08 GMT

This past weekend the US and Canada engaged in a little neighborly rivalry when the WNT traveled to Toronto for a match against their northern nemesis. The US put their stamp on the match almost immediately though, when veteran middy Shannon Boxx slotted home in the first 93 seconds. Up one-nil the ladies in red, white and blue never looked back, and Megan Rapinoe finished the half the way it opened with another shot to the back of the Canadian goal. Then Lindsay Tarpley put the match out of contention in the 77th minute with her 30th career goal. As if that wasn't enough, the US added one more just for good measure to round off the rout at 4-0.

Star forward, Abby Wambach, was back to her usual self after a grueling recovery from a broken leg. Abby was not able to find the back of the net, so she still sits on 99 goals, but that is something she will have a chance to change come July 19 when these two teams meet again. And, this time it's at Abby's hometown of Rochester, NY, so you know she'll be gunning for 100 in front of her friends and family.

Make Fast Your Friend

gabejazzy — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:40:15 GMT

Vaporize your opponents with the new Mercurial Vapor FG, the fastest women’s boot Nike has ever put on the pitch. The Mercurial Vapor FG has a Teijin microfiber upper that adjusts to the contours of your foot, creating a perfect fit every time. And its streamlined construction makes it one of the lightest in the game. But don’t let its feather weight fool you – this cleat is as tough as they come, with covered lacing for an extra large ball strike area and direct injected heel studs that let you cut on a dime. Combine that with a foot-hugging chassis built for speed and you’ve got a cleat that doesn’t just compete – it dominates.

US Women’s National Team member Carli Lloyd on the new Mercurial Vapor FG:

“I feel great in the new Vapor. It’s a perfect fit. I like the colors and the weight of it, and I also like the materials – it’s a bit of a softer feel than the old Vapors. I’m not distracted at all because the boot feels great. They’re comfortable and allow for a great touch on the ball.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Buy the Mercurial Vapor FG

Drama and Hope

Gronamo — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 22:02:23 GMT

The WNT may not have brought home their third consecutive Algarve Cup Championship, but they provided enough drama to fill up a season of ER.

Down 1-0 vs. Sweden with seconds left, Boxxy slammed home the equalizer, sending the already-turbulent match into PK’s. That’s the second straight 90th minute goal by the WNT, mind you.

And even as PK’s go, these were especially thrilling, complete with clutch saves and clanging crossbars. In the end, the magic of their back-to-back late rallies was undeniable, but it fell just short of enough.

On the other hand, magic had nothing to do with Hope Solo’s game and tournament MVP status - straight talent and clutch performance. Allowing only one goal over the 360 minutes of soccer played, Hope saved the best for last and came up with three point-blank stops in the Cup final to keep her squad in the game. Coach Sundhage said it best, “She’s just playing better and better.”

Congrats to Hope Solo for being chosen the MVP of the Algarve Cup, and to the WNT for a great tournament. There’s a bright future ahead.

D Equals W

Gronamo — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:52:15 GMT

Since Friday the WNT have had two shutout victories. And it’s no small feat that they had already clinched a spot in the Algarve Cup Final with the first of the two.

With a jaw-dropping goal in the 90th, the US shocked the Icelandic side and guaranteed the women a spot in the Championship game. Settling a long ball from the left back with a chest trap, our striker tipped the ball over a confused Icelandic defender and finished with a precise left-footed half-volley. See for yourself – it’s a thing of beauty.

Though Monday’s 1-0 victory against Norway was inconsequential, the physical play characteristic of the US vs. Norway match-ups was no less present. Let’s be honest, how are you going to tell the WNT not to go all out on 50-50 headers? It’s that kind of intensity that has resulted in the US being the only team not to allow a goal this tournament.

On Wednesday, the WNT will defend their title against the Swedes, marking the seventh straight Algarve Cup Final appearance for the US. But the WNT doesn’t stand alone with stats on their side – the Swedes have never lost an Algarve Championship in three appearances.

So follow the action with MatchTracker on ussoccer.com. Kickoff time is March 11, 12 PM ET.

Youthful Fire

Gronamo — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 01:21:51 GMT

You wouldn’t think it from the result yesterday, but Lagos, Portugal is not the WNT’s favorite venue. Coming into the match the WNT was an uninspiring 1-5-0 in Lagos. The kickoff brought no sign of a brighter day either, as the game opened to cold rain, high winds and shaky play all around.

But with a little fire from the youth of the team, the girls warmed up on the pitch and made a little rain themselves, pelting Denmark’s keeper with 14 shots by the final whistle and pulling out a convincing 2-0 win.

Angie “Wozzy” Woznuk had the first tally, smashing a low-angle half-volley into the back of the net and following up with her trademark airplane back to the US half. The goal was so surgical it was even described as “Hamm-like.”

That’s right, the WNT has nothing to fear from bad weather. Air Wozzy flies in all conditions.

So the Lagos curse is broken. Now down to Ferreiras, Portugal to take on Iceland. Kickoff is this Friday at 10 am E.T., and as always you can follow the action on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker.

Action in Algarve

Gronamo — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:57:07 GMT

When you're on top, you’ve got further to fall. That’s why you work that much harder to stay there. The Algarve Cup kicks off Wednesday, March 4 and the die-hard work ethic of the WNT hasn’t changed a bit.

Coming off a 17-day training session at the Home Depot Center, Coach Sundhage and her 18-woman roster have traveled to southern Portugal and spent the better part of the week in round-the-clock practices before the tournament kicks off.

Sure, Portugal is not all hard work – the girls’ treasured Algarve tradition of crepes and ice cream lives on, as do the rest of the team-wide competitions (check the WNT blog out).

But fact is that the US has taken the Cup five times in the last 6 years, and the rest of the field is pining for a shot at the top dogs. First up is Denmark on March 4th, and you can be sure that Lindsay, Lloyd, Boxxy and the gang will be ready for them.

Follow all the action at ussoccer.com.

Lindsay Tarpley: 2 Golds by 25

gabejazzy — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:50:42 GMT

Recently, Kelley Ferro of the Nike Women Field Reporter team had the chance to interview Lindsay Tarpley of the Women's National Team. Tarp was at the Chicago Niketown to headline a forum on soccer training with Abby Wambach. Before the forum kicked-off, the Kalamazoo native opened up to Ferro and talked about her life and what’s next on the horizon.

Kelley Ferro: What was the best moment in your soccer career?
Lindsey Tarpley: Standing at the podium and accepting that gold medal. We had lost three key players before the Games, and we still overcame.

KF: So, this past August marked your second gold medal in a row. How did this gold medal feel different than the
first time?
LT: In Athens I was a lot younger. I learned a lot form Mia and Julie, but I was still learning. This year I was more mature and much stronger.

KF: When did your training really pay off and you said to yourself, "That was awesome"?
LT: In 2004 at the Athens Games, I had the first goal. I had really been working on my long-range shots. I was practicing them a lot. And all of a sudden the chance was there and I kicked a 21-yard goal. The training had really paid off!

KF: When you are having a rough day and don't feel like practicing, what gets you up and out there?
LT: My teammates. Knowing that my teammates are out there and practicing—that's what inspires me.

KF: Who was the role model that really inspired you to go all the way in soccer?
LT: Tracy, my U19 coach. She was an influential coach at an important time in my life.

KF: What do you do in your free time? Whenever that is….
LT: Well since I don't get a lot of free time, I like to be with my husband. We go to coffee shops, play basketball and hang out.

KF: If you could be better at one sport – other than soccer – what would it be?
LT: Golf

KF: What's your favorite indulgence?
LT: Junk food. As much of it as I can get! If I had to pick one, it'd be ice cream.

KF: What's your personal motto?
LT: Just to get after it. Dream big.

KF: So what's next?
LT: I just hope to keep doing well. And next up, World Cup.

-Kelley Ferro

Tarp Takes You Inside Her World

gabejazzy — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:15:44 GMT

Lindsay’s got a brand new athlete page and it brings you face-to-face with the gold medal-winning star. Tarp's page pulls back the curtain on her life and allows you to look inside her world, on and off the field, and gives you direct access to what's on her mind…or her camera.

Check out Tarp’s page to see her bio, stats and current status, which gives you the 411 on what exactly the soccer superstar is up to. And if that’s not enough to feed your Lindsay fire, you’ll also find a Q&A section where you can ask Tarp your most burning questions.

While you’re thinking up what questions to ask, take a look at Lindsay’s photo stream, news feed and blog updates, not to mention Tarp’s Locker, which shows you the gear she's checking out right now.

So come inside and see what's new with Lindsay Tarpley.

A Record-Setting Year

Gronamo — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:36:47 GMT

By now you’ve probably heard: The WNT has been on a tear since, well, 2007. Last night the WNT brought a landmark year in American soccer to a close in a way that couldn’t have been more fitting.

With a decisive defeat of China at Ford Field, the girls moved the magic number to its final resting place: 33. And don’t tell us you don’t know already. The 33-1-2 performance on the year by the WNT is a record-setter in wins and winning percentage. That’s almost a 95% chance of victory. Vegas would call it the safest bet in sports. Period.

And one of the biggest reasons for this incredible success rate is the performance of Carli Lloyd. In honor of her heroic effort throughout the year, US Soccer just named Lloyd the 2008 Female Athlete of the Year. Congrats Carli!

With the 1-0 victory, the “Achieve Your Gold Tour” is now over and the girls are going on a one-month hiatus before returning in late January for their next training session. So that’s it. History has been made. Now bring on 2009.