Tag: women’s soccer

USWNT Rival Watch: Germany at the 2012 Algarve Cup (Catch-up)

Germany won the 2012 Algarve Cup after winning all its group matches (versus Iceland, China, and Sweden) and then winning the first place match over Japan 4:3.  Celia Okoyino da Mbabi had two hat tricks (versus Sweden and Japan). Germany was missing several veterans due to injuries, including Simone Laudeher (meniscus), Kim Kulig (torn ACL in 2011 WWC) as well as two players who were on the squad’s Algarve Cup roster: Nadine Angerer, and Fatmire Bajramaj. Also, veteran strikers Inka Grings and Martina Müller were not available.

Continue reading “USWNT Rival Watch: Germany at the 2012 Algarve Cup (Catch-up)”

USWNT Rival Watch: Japan at the 2012 Algarve Cup (Catch-up)

At the 2012 Algarve Cup, Japan’s Women’s National Team won all three of its group matches, including its final group match versus the United States. By topping the group, Japan played in the placement match for first place, where they lost 4:3 in a match that saw 3 goals scored in the final few minutes.

Continue reading “USWNT Rival Watch: Japan at the 2012 Algarve Cup (Catch-up)”

U-20 USWNT: Where Do They Go From Here?

The United States Under-20 Women’s National Team returned from Panama on Monday, Champions of CONCACAF, but their journey to Japan and the 2012 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup has only just begun. That tournament begins five months from now, and in the intervening months ahead, the U-20 USWNT will come together for camps, scrimmages, and test matches before departing for Japan. Based on the team’s performance in Panama, the squad has several key areas where they need to work on.

Also, It is very likely that not all the players who earned a gold medal in Panama will make the U-20 WWC roster. Besides current roster players not being available due to possibly getting injured, there are also other players currently recovering from their injuries, who could get a roster spot. Continue reading “U-20 USWNT: Where Do They Go From Here?”

U-20 USWNT: 2012 CONCACAF Championship Match Analysis

Adding to my quick recap, here’s a much more detailed look at the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship final between the USA and Canada. All of the USA’s 28 shots and 15 corner kicks are broken down. Plus, for each USA player, notes are included on the good and not-so-good things that the player did during the match. Continue reading “U-20 USWNT: 2012 CONCACAF Championship Match Analysis”

USWNT Rival Watch: Japan’s Homare Sawa Diagnosed with Vertigo, May Miss Kirin Cup

On Monday, Japan’s Homare Sawa, who recently stepped down as captain, was diagnosed with “benign paroxysmal postural vertigo” on Monday. (Source: Mainichi.jp, English)

In the article, it was stated that recovery time could be as little as a week, or could take over a month. For more on the condition, see its Wikipedia entry.

Japan plays its first match of the Women’s Kirin Challenge Cup in less than three weeks, on Sunday, April 1st, versus the USA.

USWNT Neighbor Watch: Canada at the Cyprus Cup – No Three-Peat

The Canadian Women’s National Team recently participated in the Cyprus Cup, where they won all three of their group matches, but fell to France 0:2 in the final. Notably, during the tournament, Christine Sinclair scored her 130th and 131st international goals, moving her ahead of the USWNT’er Kristine Lilly, who has 130 career international goals.

Continue reading “USWNT Neighbor Watch: Canada at the Cyprus Cup – No Three-Peat”

USWNT Rival Watch: Brazil’s Kirin Challenge Cup Roster

Last Thursday, Brazilian Women’s National Team head coach Jorge Barcellos announced the team’s preliminary roster for an upcoming friendly versus Canada (March 24th, at Gillette Stadium outside of Boston) and the Women’s Kirin Challenge Cup in April.  Twenty-one players were called, including several overseas-based players such as Marta, Christiane, and Fabiana, who did not participate in the squad’s prior two training camps this calendar year.

Update, 18-Mar-2012: Upon further research, I can fairly confidently confirm all the player names for the roster, thanks to the CBF releasing a player pool list the day after I posted this, originally.

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USWNT Neighbor Watch: Mexico, February 2012 (Catch-Up)

In mid-February, the Mexican Women’s National Team traveled to China for the Yongchuan International Women’s Tournament where they played matches against three opponents: China, North Korea, and South Korea, and lost all three matches. Continue reading “USWNT Neighbor Watch: Mexico, February 2012 (Catch-Up)”

CONCACAF WU-20 Championship: The USA Win, But… (Quick Recap)

…the team has a lot of work to do between now and August.

The USA’s Under-20 Women’s National Team won 2:1 over Canada’s U-20 WNT in the 2012 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship final, but had to overcome an early Canada goal scored via an American error. Two late goals in the final eleven minutes gave the USA a comeback lead.

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CONCACAF WU-20: USA-Canada Championship Final Pre-Match Notes

In advance of tonight’s CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship final between the USA and Canada, here are some notes on Canada’s roster, as well as predicted line-ups for both teams, plus tables of minutes played for both rosters.

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