U.S. Women`s National Team vs. Iceland 2015
Transcription
U.S. Women`s National Team vs. Iceland 2015
U.S. Women's National Team vs. Iceland 2015 Algarve Cup Group B Municipal Stadium; Lagos, Portugal March 9, 2015 WNT FACES ICELAND FOR BERTH IN ALGARVE CUP FINAL: After earning the full six points from its first two Algarve Cup matches with a 21 win against Norway and a 30 triumph over Switzerland, the U.S. Women's National Team is wellpositioned to earn a berth in the championship game with its Group B finale against Iceland remaining. The USAIceland match will kick off at 1:30 p.m. ET on Monday, March 9, but will not be televised due to inadequate lighting at the Municipal Stadium in Lagos, Portugal. Fans can follow the match on Twitter @ussoccer_wnt and @ussoccer_esp, and watch highlights on ussoccer.com. GOING FOR 10: Should the USA advance to the championship game, it will be the program's 14th Algarve Cup Final. The U.S. WNT most recently won the Algarve Cup in 2013, beating Germany 20 in the title game to earn its ninth title, the most of any country. The U.S. team trained for eight days in Portugal before the starting this tournament that features six of the world's top10 ranked teams, including the top five. Brazil, currently ranked eighth, is participating for the first time. In all, 11 of the 12 participating countries are ranked in the top20 in the world. USA ADVANCEMENT SCENARIOS: As there are three teams in groups B and C that could end up winning the group with six points, and two in Group A (along with Brazil, that could finish with seven), the scenarios of who could make the championship game under this new Algarve Cup format are vast and varied. But this much we know... With only two teams the USA and France on six points after the first two match days, those two countries are in the driver's seat for berths to the final. With wins, both teams will qualify for the championship game. Should the USA draw with Iceland and finish on seven points, it would still win the group, but then would have to beat out at least one of the other group winners to earn a spot in the title game, with the first tiebreaker being goal differential and the second being goals scored. The USA is currently at plus4, Brazil is at plus2 and France is at plus4, but much could change in the final round of matches as far as goal differential and goals scored. If the USA falls to Iceland, there would still be a chance to win the group with six points, and even advance to the championship game, but it would have to rely on the correct confluence of results and scores in Group B and the other groups. 22nd Annual Algarve Cup Standings Group A Team BRA SWE GER CHN GP 2 2 2 2 W 1 1 1 0 L 0 1 1 1 T 1 0 0 1 GF 2 4 4 0 GA 0 4 4 2 GD +2 0 0 2 Pts. 4 3 3 1 Group A Update: Germany rebounded from a 42 loss to Sweden on the first match day to defeat China PR 20 on goals from Anja Mittag and Alexandra Popp. Germany did suffer an injury blow, losing talented central defender Luisa Wensing to a broken leg. Sweden fell to Brazil 20 on a longdistance free kick from Marta and a penalty kick by Andressa, but still has a chance to win the group with its finale coming against China. Germany and Brazil meet in one of the marquee matches on the final match day with both likely needing a win to take first in the group. Brazil also suffered an apparent serious injury when forward Debinha went down in the 15th minute and needed to be replaced. Group B Team USA NOR SUI ISL GP 2 2 2 2 W 2 1 1 0 L 0 1 1 2 T 0 0 0 0 GF 5 2 2 0 GA 1 2 3 3 GD +4 0 1 3 Pts. 6 3 3 0 Group B Update: The USA moved into first place with a convincing 30 win against Switzerland, with all three goals coming in the second half. Alex Morgan finished a deftly played free kick from Lauren Holiday with a closerange volley, Amy Rodriguez pulled off some fancy footwork in front of the net to make it 20 and substitute Abby Wambach added a third on a longrange chip over the goalkeeper after running onto an errant back pass. In the other Group B match, Norway used a ninthminute goal from Emilie Havvi to defeat Iceland 10. The results mean the USA needs just a tie against Iceland to win the group, but a win will ensure the U.S. a berth in the championship game as France is the only other team with six points after the first two match days and thus the only team that accrue the full nine points after three games. Group C Team FRA JPN DEN POR GP 2 2 2 2 W 2 1 1 0 L 0 1 1 2 T 0 0 0 0 GF 5 4 3 0 GA 1 2 5 4 GD +4 +2 1 4 Pts. 6 3 3 0 Group C Update: France walloped Denmark with four goals in the first half from four different players Eugenie Le Sommer, Camille Abily, Kenzi Dali and Claire Lavogez and was up 30 inside of 14 minutes on the way to an eventual 41 victory. Japan rebounded from its 21 loss to Denmark to defeat host Portugal 30 on goals from Yuri Kawamura, Kumi Yokoyama and Yuika Sugasawa. That sets up a FranceJapan clash on the final day of group play while Denmark is also still in the running for the group title with its one match remaining against Portugal. France needs just a tie to win the group, but like the USA, can clinch a berth for the title game with a win. For a full listing of the 2015 Algarve Cup schedule and results, visit the tournament page on ussoccer.com. 2015 U.S. WNT SCHEDULE: Date Feb. 8 Feb. 13 March 4 March 6 March 9 March 11 April 4 May 10 May 17 May 30 June 8 June 12 June 16 Opponent France England Norway* Switzerland* Iceland* TBD* New Zealand Ireland Mexico Korea Rep. Australia Sweden Nigeria Time 12 p.m. ET 3 p.m. ET 2 p.m. ET 12 p.m. ET 1:30 p.m. ET TBD 2:30 p.m. CT 11:30 a.m. PT 6 p.m. PT 4:30 p.m. ET 6:30 p.m. CT 7 p.m. CT 5 p.m. PT TV/Result 02 L 10 W 21 W 30 W FOX Sports 1 FOX Sports 1 FOX Sports 1 FOX Sports 1 ESPN, WatchESPN FOX FOX FOX Venue Stade du Moustoir; Lorient, France stadiummk; Milton Keynes, England Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal Lagos, Portugal TBD, Portugal Busch Stadium; St. Louis, Mo. Avaya Stadium; San Jose, Calif. StubHub Center; Carson, Calif. Red Bull Arena; Harrison, N.J. Winnipeg Stadium; Winnipeg, Canada Winnipeg Stadium; Winnipeg, Canada BC Place Stadium; Vancouver, Canada * Algarve Cup U.S. Women's National Team Roster By Position: GOALKEEPERS (3): 24Ashlyn Harris (Washington Spirit), 21Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers), 1Hope Solo (Seattle Reign FC) DEFENDERS (10): 16Lori Chalupny (Chicago Red Stars), 22Crystal Dunn (Washington Spirit), 6Whitney Engen (Western NY Flash), 26Julie Johnston (Chicago Red Stars), 25Meghan Klingenberg (Houston Dash), 11Ali Krieger (Washington Spirit), 5Kelley O'Hara (Sky Blue FC), 3Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC), 4Becky Sauerbrunn (FC Kansas City), 19Rachel Van Hollebeke (Portland Thorns) MIDFIELDERS (7): 7Shannon Boxx (Chicago Red Stars), 14Morgan Brian (Houston Dash), 17Tobin Heath (Portland Thorns FC), 12 Lauren Holiday (FC Kansas City), 10Carli Lloyd (Houston Dash), 9Heather O'Reilly (FC Kansas City), 15Megan Rapinoe (Seattle Reign FC) FORWARDS (5): 2Sydney Leroux (Seattle Reign FC), 13Alex Morgan (Portland Thorns FC), 23Christen Press (Chicago Red Stars), 8Amy Rodriguez (FC Kansas City), 20Abby Wambach (Western NY Flash) U.S. ROSTER NOTES: Carli Lloyd's two goals in the 21 victory against Norway on March 4 gave her 63 for her career and 12 at the Algarve Cup, making her the third alltime leading scorer at the Algarve Cup behind Abby Wambach (21) and Kristine Lilly (13). Alex Morgan has 12 at the Algarve Cup. The USA's five goals so far in the tournament have come from four different players. Lloyd is the only U.S. player carrying a yellow card caution. Morgan did not play in last year's Algarve Cup as she was recovering from an ankle injury. Midfielder Lauren Holiday also missed last year's tournament, due to a family commitment. She has scored six goals in the Algarve Cup. Hope Solo came into the tournament with a U.S. record 78 career shutouts and with the clean sheet against Switzerland now has 79. U.S. captain Christie Rampone is currently the second mostcapped player in U.S. and world history with 304. For more roster notes, visit ussoccer.com. IN THE RECORD BOOKS: With two goals against Norway on March 4, Carli Lloyd upped her career total to 63. She is in sole possession of seventh place on the U.S. WNT's alltime goal scoring list, passing Shannon MacMillan who scored 60 goals in her career. Lloyd is the highestscoring player in U.S. history who has played exclusively as a midfielder. Heather O'Reilly is the ninth player to hit 200 caps in U.S. history after reaching the milestone against Korea DPR on March 12, 2014. Now with 215, she is seventh on the USA's alltime list. Abby Wambach (236) and Christie Rampone (304) are the only active players ahead of her. For more record book notes, visit ussoccer.com. U.S. WNT AT THE ALGARVE CUP The USA has a 551210 record alltime at the Algarve Cup. The USA has scored 170 goals while allowing 62 at the Algarve Cup. There are now 38 different WNT players have scored at the Algarve Cup. Wambach's 22 goals are tops alltime at the Algarve Cup for a U.S. player and one of the leaders all time in the 22year history of the tournament. For more Algarve Cup notes, visit ussoccer.com. Videos and Photo Galleries: WNT vs. Switzerland: Highlights March 6, 2015 (Video) Strong Second Half Helps WNT Beat Switzerland (Photo Gallery) WNT Outside Backs on the Attack (Video) Releases: WNT Captain Christie Rampone Added to Algarve Cup Roster WNT Moves into First in Group B, Tops Switzerland 30 at Algarve Cup Algarve Cup Quote Sheet: WNT vs. Switzerland March 6, 2015 U.S. Soccer to Offer VIP Travel Program During FIFA Women's World Cup ALLTIME U.S. FINISHES AT THE ALGARVE CUP: The USA has had some tremendous and remarkable success at the Algarve Cup (eight straight appearances in the championship game from 20042012 and nine titles overall), but the USA didn't win its first title until its sixth try in 2000 when a Brandi Chastain penalty kick defeated Norway in the title game 10. It took the USA three years to win it again. Year 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 U.S. Finish No. of teamsChampionRunnerUp Second 6 Norway USA Fourth 8 Sweden Denmark Did not participate 8 Sweden Norway Did not participate 8 Norway China PR Third 8 Norway Denmark Second 8 China PR USA First 8 USA Norway Sixth 8 Sweden Denmark Fifth 12 China PR Norway First 12 USA China PR First 12 USA Norway First 12 USA Germany Second 12 Germany USA First 12 USA Denmark First 12 USA Denmark Second 12 Sweden USA First 12 USA Germany First 12 USA Iceland Third 12 Germany Japan First 12 USA Germany Seventh 12 Germany Japan IN FOCUS: ICELAND Current FIFA World Ranking: 20 2015 Women's World Cup Qualifying: Finished second in UEFA Women's World Cup qualifying Group 3 (613; 29 GF, 9 GA) Women's World Cup Finals Appearances: None Record vs. USA: 0121 Head Coach: Frey Alexandersson Championship Honors: None Leading Women's World Cup Qualifying Scorers: Dagný Brynjarsdóttir (7), Harpa Thorsteinsdóttir (3), Dóra Maria Lárusdóttir (3) Key Players: Elísa Vidarsdóttir (Kristanstads DFF), Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir (FC Rosengard), Katrín Ómarsdóttir (Liverpool LFC), Dagný Brynjarsdóttir (Bayern Münich), Hólmfrídur Magnúsdóttir (Avaldsnes), Margrét Lára Vidarsdóttir (Kristanstads DFF) 2105 Algarve Cup Iceland Women's National Team Roster GOALKEEPERS (3): 1Sandra Sigurdardóttir (Stjarnan), 12Sonný Lára Thráinsdóttir (Breiðablik), 13Gudbjörg Gunnarsdóttir (Lilleström) DEFENDERS (6): 2Anna María Baldursdóttir (Stjarnan), 3Lára Kristín Pedersen (Stjarnan), 4Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir (Eskilstuna), 5Arna Sif Ásgrímsdóttir (Þór), 15Anna Björk Kristjánsdóttir (Stjarnan), 20Elísa Vidarsdóttir (Kristanstads DFF) MIDFIELDERS (8): 7Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir (FC Rosengard), 8Katrín Ómarsdóttir (Liverpool LFC), 10Dagný Brynjarsdóttir (Bayern Münich), 11Hallbera Gudný Gísladóttir (Breiðablik), 14Gunnhildur Yrsa Jónsdóttir (Stabæk), 17Ásgerdur S. Baldursdóttir (Stjarnan), 18Gudný Björk Ódinsdóttir (Kristanstads DFF), 22Rakel Hönnudóttir (Breiðablik) FORWARDS (6): 6Hólmfrídur Magnúsdóttir (Avaldsnes), 9Margrét Lára Vidarsdóttir (Kristanstads DFF), 16Harpa Thorsteinsdóttir (Stjarnan), 19Elín Metta Jensen (Valur), 21Fanndís Fridriksdóttir (Breiðablik), 23Gudmunda Brynja Óladóttir (Selfoss) For Iceland roster notes, visit ussoccer.com. USA VS. ICELAND SERIES The USA and Iceland have played 13 times since the first meeting in 1998 and the USA holds a 1201 alltime record. The most recent meeting came at the 2013 Algarve Cup in the opening match of the tournament, a 30 win in which Rachel Van Hollebeke (then Buehler) played in her 100th match and scored, along with goals from Shannon Boxx and Abby Wambach. The USA and Iceland played in the championship game of the 2011 Algarve Cup, a 42 victory for the United States, which trailed 21 in the first half before scoring three unanswered goals. The last four meetings between the teams have come at the Algarve Cup, all U.S. wins. The Americans won 10 in 2009, 2 0 in 2010, 42 in 2011 and 30 in 2013. For more USAIceland series notes, visit ussoccer.com. ussoccer.com