U.S. WNT ready to face Sweden in first match of two-game series

The USA renews what has been an excellent rivalry with Sweden during two summer matches on July 13 at Creighton University’s Morrison Stadium (ESPN2 at 8 p.m. CT) and on July 17 at Rentschler Field in East Hartford (Fox Soccer Channel at 7:30 p.m. ET).

With the USA ranked first in the current FIFA Women’s World Rankings and Sweden at fourth, U.S. fans will once again get to see two of the top women’s teams in the world square off on American soil. The two matches mark the first between the two countries in the United States since July 2006 when the Americans defeated Sweden 3-2 in sweltering Minnesota heat on a dramatic late goal from Kristine Lilly.

The matches will be just the eighth and ninth international games for the U.S. women this year as preparations and player evaluations continue for CONCACAF Women’s World Cup qualifying to be held in late October with dates and venues still to be determined. While U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage has called up 24 players, she will name 18 to suit up for both contests with the Swedes and could juggle the game roster between matches.

Since coaching her first game for the United States in January of 2008, Pia Sundhage has compiled an overall record of 47-1-3 with the only loss in regulation time coming in the first game of the 2008 Olympics. She coached her 50th match for the USA in Sandy, Utah, on March 31 against Mexico, a wild 1-0 win played in ankle-deep snow.

EYE TOWARDS GERMANY: As the calendar moved to 2010, the focus of the U.S. WNT shifted to qualifying for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany. The two-time defending champions, hosting on their own soil, will be favorites to hoist a third consecutive trophy, but the Americans will hopefully have something to say about that. There is no doubt, however, that the Germans will run a fantastic Women’s World Cup, scheduled for June 26-July 17, 2011, in nine cities spread out all over Germany: Berlin, Frankfurt, Mönchengladbach, Sinsheim, Wolfsburg, Augsburg, Bochum, Dresden and Leverkusen.

FIRST TIME TO NEBRASKA: The U.S. Women have played official international matches in 30 of the 50 U.S. states, plus the District of Columbia. Nebraska will become the 31st state to host the WNT and it will come in one of the best college venues in the country at Creighton University. The USA has played few matches in the middle of the country, having never appeared in North or South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, and until now, Nebraska.

CAPTAINS ALL OVER: 2008 Olympic Team captain Christie Rampone gets another call-up for these matches as she continues to regain her fitness after giving birth to her second child in early March. In her absence, Shannon Boxx has captained the U.S. team. The U.S. roster is dotted with players who have captained the USA in the past, including Kristine Lilly, Kate Markgraf and Abby Wambach, but Boxx has worn the armband since Rampone announced her pregnancy last year. Boxx is the 11th player to be officially designated as a captain in the history of the U.S. Women’s National Team, joining, in chronological order: Denise Bender, April Heinrichs, Lori Henry, Michelle Akers, Carla Overbeck, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Kristine Lilly, Christie Rampone and Lori Chalupny.

OPPONENT CAPSULE: Sweden
Current FIFA World Ranking: 4
Overall Record vs. USA: 3-17-6
Last Meeting vs. USA: March 1, 2010 (a 2-0 U.S. win at the Algarve Cup in Portugal)
Head Coach: Thomas Dennerby
Key Players: G Hedvig Lindahl, G Sofia Lundgren, D Stina Segerström, D Sara Thunebro, M Caroline Seger, M Therese Sjögran, M Lisa Dahlkvist, M Nilla Fischer, F Jessica Landstrom, F Kosovare Asllani

World Cup cell phone shaped like a soccer ball

This may not be an official World Cup 2010 cell phone, but it certainly could be.

The Football 001 is a Quad Band GSM phone shaped like a soccer ball. The soccer ball is split in half and opens up to reveal an inside display and keypad. The phone’s specs are pretty standard, it comes with an FM radio, Bluetooth and a 2″ LCD. It’s most unique feature, aside from its shape, is that it is actually a dual sim phone. You can pick up your “World Cup Cellphone” for $159.99.

Can you hear me now?

World Cup Song: Shakira ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’

We are just a few days away from the exciting beginning of the FIFA World Cup 2010 being held at South Africa and international superstar Shakira is scheduled to perform her new single, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” during the opening ceremony on June 10th.

“The FIFA World Cup is a miracle of global excitement, connecting every country, race, religion and condition around a single passion. It represents an event that has the power to unite and integrate, and that’s what this song is about,” Shakira said in a statement.

The official song of the World Cup, all proceeds from Waka Waka will benefit FIFA’s Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ ’20 Centers for 2010,’ whose aim is to achieve positive social change through soccer by building twenty Football for Hope centers for public health, education and football across Africa.

KICK IT UP! launches at FIFA World Cup

Soccer (or football as it’s known around the globe) is the world’s most popular sport, and  Global Girl Media is using the largest international soccer event to help young women find their voices. The non-profit org’s pilot project KICK IT UP! has recruited 20 girls from South Africa and 10 from Los Angeles to report on the 2010 FIFA World Cup taking place June 11 – July 11th.

The goal of KICK IT UP! is to train high-school-age girls to become participant digital video journalists. The project links under-served girls with seasoned broadcasters and journalists, providing training and hands-on experience in story development and composition, HD digital video cameras, editing, and on-air media training. GlobalGirl reporters will create and produce video and blog content throughout the World Cup event.

We were at the Los Angeles launch reception for KICK IT UP! and met the 10 locals girls chosen to participate in this awesome project. Executive Director Amie Williams and National Program Director Kamala-Lopez Dawson were on hand to introduce the girls and the program to an enthusiastic gathering of supporters and press.

The project is being spearheaded by celebrity spokesperson and mentor, Julie Foudy – former U.S. Women’s Soccer Captain and two-time Gold Medalist, and now a senior ESPN sportscaster covering the 2010 World Cup –  who will provide GGM participants with help to write, produce and file their stories.

Many girls in underserved communities across the globe are grappling with the specific challenges of high rates of teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, structural violence, drug addiction and broken families. In countless  media reports about all these issues, the individual girls’ voice is largely absent. KICK IT UP! seeks to transform the girl as “statistic” into the girl as “subject” giving her tangible tools to report on the reality of her specific situation, as seen against the global backdrop of the 2010 World Cup.

The first World Cup match takes place June 11 pitting host team South Africa against Mexico in Johannesburg’s Soccer City.  The United States plays in Group C with its first match on June 12 at Royal Bafokeng in Rustenberg against England.

We encourage everyone to watch the World Cup as this is the first time the event is in Africa, and the whole world will be watching. And be sure to check back for Global Girl Media updates and reports. We look forward to watching new voices emerge to challenge the status quo. You go girls.

Iran’s girls’ soccer team back in Youth Olympics

With this summer’s inaugural Youth Olympics fast approaching, there was one group of young women who were facing exclusion. That is until this week when FIFA said they will allow the Iranian girls soccer team to compete at the Games as long as their players swap their traditional head scarves for a cap that covers their hair.

The compromise comes after soccer’s governing body last month barred the team because of its insistence on wearing head scarves. FIFA banned hijab scarves – which protect the modesty of Islamic girls and women – in 2007 for safety reasons and to prevent political or religious statements on the field.

“This decision was taken after both the Iran Football Federation as well as the Iran National Olympic Committee confirmed in writing that they will accept a solution whereby the players will not wear their Islamic Hijab during the matches of the competition,” FIFA said in a statement. “Instead, the players can wear a cap that covers their heads to the hairline, but does not extend below the ears to cover the neck.”

The Iran Football Federation was not immediately available for comment. The state-run Tehran Times reported that Iranian authorities had agreed to allow players to wear hats.

“We sent FIFA a sample of our new Islamic dress and fortunately they accepted it,” said Abbas Torabian, director of the International Relations Committee of Iran’s soccer federation. “They announced that there was no objection if the players covered their hair with hats.”

Iran will compete in the six-nation tournament in Singapore. About 3,600 athletes, ages 14-18, will compete Aug. 12-25 in 26 sports at the Youth Summer Games.

Get to Know: Kristine Lilly

Kristine Lilly is often referred to as the USA’s Iron Woman, and for a good reason. Not only has she played in 342 matches for the USA (the most capped player on the world) and scored 129 goals in her national team career, but she has played on both professional leagues that have existed in the US and she has done it all over the course of more than 20 years (her first international appearance was in August 3, 1987). Can you think of any other athlete who’s had a professional career of 20 years?

She has won 2 World Cups, participating in 5, and 2 Olympic gold medals, participating in 3. She was an all-star with the Boston Breakers in the WUSA (2001-2003), and she is now playing for the Boston Breakers in WPS. She was a four time NCAA champion at UNC, and helped her high school team to 3 State championships.

Kristine was the captain of the national team from 2005-2007, but took 2008 off to have her baby girl, Sydney. Later that year she came back  to the field as she was allocated to the Boston Breakers. She started all 20 matches for the Breakers, the only player on the team to do so, and led the team in minutes played with 1,800. She was voted to the All-Star team where she started and scored a goal helping the team to a 4-2 win over opponent Umea IK.

You can certainly say that Kristine is one of the world’s greatest athletes, but she’s not done yet. As she is preparing for another season with the Breakers, she took the time to answer some questions, posted below.

What was your favorite moment/experience while at UNC?

I don’t think I have one moment that was my favorite but the best part was the great friends I made there.  Plus the education I got and winning 4 national championships were also good.

Do you intend to play in the 2011 World Cup or 2012 Olympics?

I haven’t been asked back up to the national team. So really it is in the hands of the U.S. coach.

Who on the national team is the most difficult to go one-on-one with?

Back in the day Joy Fawcett was always difficult to go up against.  Now Christie Rampone, Kate Markgraf and Amy LePeilbet were all difficult.

What does it mean to you, as a player and a person, to hold the world record for international appearances representing your country?

I am just really proud to have played in so many games.  That means I worked hard to remain a starter and be healthy to participate in so many games.

Do you think anyone will ever get more caps for their country than you have for the USA?

I’m not sure about that, but records are always made to be broken.

Who is the most difficult player from another country that you’ve ever had to play against?

Hege Riise, a player from Norway. She was very good.

If you could participate on any game show, which one would it be and why?

I always wanted to be on Family Feud.

Growing up, what was your favorite TV show to watch?

Happy Days.

If you didn’t play soccer for a living, what would you be doing instead?

I’m not sure. I love to take pictures, maybe a photographer.

I’ve read on your website that you took some cooking classes with your husband. What is your best dish?

My best dish now, is probably the mac & cheese I learned how to cook, by Ellie Deaner.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I can touch my tongue to my nose.

What is the craziest, most thrilling thing you’ve ever done?

I almost hiked to the top of Kilimanjaro.  Missed the summit by about 1500 feet.  I got altitude sickness.

Has your little one shown any interest for soccer?

She can kick a ball.

What do you like to do when you’re not training?

Play with my daughter and take a long walk with my dog.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Chocolate chip ice cream

What was your first car?

Passat

You’re first appearance for the USA was in 1987, more than 20 years ago, and you’ve been playing ever since you were a little kid- pretty much your entire life. How have you been able to play at the highest level for so long?

I just worked hard.  I made sure I was always fit.  I learned how to take care of myself but I also had fun with the people I played with, which made me want to work for them and vice versa.

This one is just for laughs. Do you think Sidney and the other WNT babies (the girls) will be the future of the national team?

It would be interesting to see one day what they all decide to do with their lives.

What do you want your legacy to be?

I think I would want people to know I went out there every day and worked hard and played for my teammates and to be the best!

What are your thoughts on the next WPS season?

Hopefully we can win in Boston!

(Ed. Note: Be sure to follow Kristine on her website www.KristineLilly13.com)

Vote for U.S. Soccer Awards

U.S. Soccer has announced the finalists for the 2009 Best of U.S. Soccer awards and there’s only one week left to vote for the 12 categories  on USSoccer.com.

The eighth annual series gives fans the opportunity to make their selections for the best in soccer in the United States. The 12 categories recap a busy 2009 crammed full of action, which included FIFA World Cup qualifying, the FIFA Confederations Cup, Abby Wambach’s 100th goal, another Development Academy Season and the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Female Athlete of the Year nominees include national team players Shannon Boxx (Sol), Heather O’Reilly, Christine Rampone (Sky Blue), Hope Solo (Athletica) and Abby Wambach (Freedom).

The Young Female Athletes of the Year are nominees Tobin Heath (UNC), Sydney Leroux (UCLA), Christine Nairn, Kelly O’Hara (Stanford) and Katie Schoepfer.

Fans can vote once a day from now until Sunday, Dec. 13, in the Community section of ussoccer.com. For certain categories, voters will be able to watch videos and view photos as they relive some of the best moments of 2009.

Go make your vote count.

Charlize Theron leading lady in World Cup draw

South African actress Charlize Theron has landed a leading  role in Friday’s draw for next year’s soccer World Cup finals in her home country, the international soccer body FIFA announced .

Theron, a Hollywood icon, will be joint host of the 90-minute show to be televised live to an estimated global audience of more than two hundred million people in 200 countries.

She is well-known as a celeb who gives back and has been involved in efforts to give kids living in underserved communities more opportunities to play competitive soccer.

Theron will join FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke to host the procedure of placing the 32 national finalists into eight groups of four teams for the 2010 tournament which runs from June 11 to July 11.

A host of sporting celebrities will also take part in the draw including Ethiopia’s Olympic champion runner Haile Gebrselassie, South African soccer player Matthew Booth and cricketer Makhaya Ntini and the host country’s rugby World Cup captain John Smit. Also attending will be David Beckham, who scored in three consecutive World Cups and still hopes to make it on the England squad by June.

South African president Jacob Zuma will be in the audience along with Nobel Peace prize winners Frederik de Klerk and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Theron is definitely one of those actresses we love to watch and support in all her endeavors.

Wambach nominated for FIFA Award

Fresh off  her 101st career goal and a U.S. 1-0 win against Germany yesterday, it was announced that Women’s National Team and Washington Freedom forward Abby Wambach is the only American nominated for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Award.

Freedom teammate and French National player Sonia Bompastor is also on the list of ten nominees.  There are 23 nominees on the Men’s side, with both lists reduced to five in early December.  The winners will be announced at the FIFA World Player Gala on December 21st.

WOMEN NOMINEES: Nadine Angerer (Germany), Sonia Bompastor (France), Cristiane (Brazil), Inka Grings (Germany), Mana Iwabuchi (Japan), Simone Laudehr (Germany), Marta (Brazil), Birgit Prinz (Germany), Kelly Smith (England) and Abby Wambach (USA).

Go Abby!

Soccer mom Joy Fawcett takes center stage

The ultimate soccer mom reached the pinnacle of her sport Sunday.

“In my life, I’ve had two dreams: To play soccer at the highest level and to be a mother,” former United States Women’s National Team standout defender Joy Fawcett said midway through her induction speech at the National Soccer Hall of Fame. “In short, U.S. Soccer enabled me to live both of my dreams, and for that, I’m thankful.”

The Soccer Hall enshrined Fawcett over the weekend in a  ceremony that also honored Jeff Agoos who played for the U.S. Men’s National Team.  Longtime New York Times soccer writer Alex Yannis who was presented with the Colin Jose Media Award.

Fawcett drew the loudest cheers of the day at the end of a nearly 13 minute speech that touched on the importance of family and closed the 2009 Induction Ceremony.

“My first dream was to be a mom and the No. 1 priority for me was my kids,” Fawcett said following the ceremony, which was attended by all three of her children _ Katey (age 15), Carli (12) and Madi (8). “To be able to play soccer and try and balance both, it was hard, definitely. I wanted to make it as easy as possible on them and easy on my teammates. I didn’t want them to have any hardship with their careers. So it was hard to balance, but it was something so worthwhile because I loved both. I was so thrilled I could do both.”

Fawcett said U.S. Soccer allowed her children to grow up around the Women’s National Team, which gained fame by winning the first FIFA World Cup, in 1991. None of her children were around then, but all three had been born by the time she ended her 18-year run with the Americans in 2004.

“Throughout her career, Joy always told me if the game of soccer ever had a negative effect on her family, she would walk away in a heartbeat,” said former teammate Shannon MacMillan, who introduced Fawcett on Sunday. “I know you can always hear people say that, but Joy truly meant that. She said she’d walk away to save her family.”

Instead, Fawcett helped the U.S. to another World Cup title (1999) and two Olympic gold medals (1996, 2004). On Sunday, she became the eighth player from the “91ers” to earn induction into the Hall, joining Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Carla Overbeck, Michelle Akers, Shannon Higgins-Cirovski, Carin Jennings and April Heinrichs.

Pioneer, world champion, mother, leader, role model, Fawcett did it all during her historic career. She may have been elected into the Hall a few years after her contemporaries, but no female player has been more deserving.

Fawcett by the Numbers:
3     Olympic Games participated in
3     Daughters had during career
4     FIFA Women’s World Cups participated in
6     Yearly high in goals, scored in 1993
9     Consecutive years in which she started every match in which she played (1989-1998)
14   Jersey number worn for many years
16   Olympic matches played
17   Years in which she played a WNT match
22   Assists in her career
23   FIFA Women’s World Cup matches played
27   Goals in career
234 Starts in WNT career
239 Appearances during her WNT career

Congrats to Fawcett on a well deserved award.

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