Pia Sundhage

Pia Sundhage can be proud -- she's taken her team to the 2011 World Cup finals! Team USA will play Japan in the finals of the Women's World Cup.  The US squad beat France today in their semi-final match. Team USA scored 3 goals against France, to secure the 3-1 victory.  Lauren Cheney hit the back of the net at the 9 minute mark.  Captain Abby Wambach then gave the US the lead with a header off a corner kick, at 79 minutes.  With fresh legs off the bench, Alex Morgan finished France off by...Read Full Story

World Cup summer: The USWNT trains in cool and rainy Wolfsburg today before Wednesday's game against Sweden (AP Photos). Ahead of Wednesday's third and final World Cup group game against Sweden (live at 11:45 a.m. on ESPN) - with the top spot in the group and the likely added incentive of avoiding Marta and the Brazilians at stake - AP Sports Writer Nancy Armour dissects the USWNT journey under Coach Pia Sundhage: WOLFSBURG, Germany (AP) -- Pia Sundhage came into the first meeting with her...Read Full Story

As the youngest member of the U.S. women's national soccer team, Alex Morgan said she's in "a great position now." That position has been on the bench, though. With the Women's World Cup starting Sunday in Germany, many observers think the 21-year-old former Cal forward should be playing more. "She makes things happen," ESPN commentator Bob Ley said after the Americans' shaky victory over Mexico three weeks ago. "They're a better team with her in there." ESPN colleague Brandi Chastain, the...Read Full Story

There is no avoiding the fact that the United States suffered an awful loss here on Sunday in the World Cup final to Japan. The U.S. women failed to take early scoring chances and then gave up a tying goal eight minutes from the end of regulation and three minutes from the end of overtime. It was simply the worst loss in the history of the national team. They did well to get this far; they needed to play and home-and-home qualifier with Italy just to make the final 16. Plus, they were down in...Read Full Story

Brian Straus   For a week, starting at the moment Abby Wambach’s improbable last-gasp goal against Brazil catapulted the U.S. women’s national team into the headlines, fans and pundits have been celebrating the Americans’ dramatic determination and resolve. That Women’s World Cup quarterfinal victory and the subsequent semifinal elimination of a talented French squad were regarded by many as a testament to American character traits that could overcome even the longest of odds. The U.S...Read Full Story