July 10, 1999...Ten Years Later

It’s hard to believe that it has been 10 years since the “bra” moment…Yes, July 1999 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California…90,000 people and a nationwide TV audience glued to the field to watch 22 players from the U.S. and China…22 FEMALE players…It was a hot day and full of tension and drama. And it was definitely one of those moments…you knew it at the time…big occasion and one that will be remembered forever.

Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times has written a fantastic article about that day and its lasting effect. He has two daughters who are now 20 and 14 years of age. And he talks about the 1999 Women’s World Cup and how it affected their lives. He makes a great point in that the world has not taken to watching women’s team sports they way some thought at the time…but it has given women everywhere, including his daughters, the role models and impetus to do great things…MUST READ…check it out by clicking here!

U.S. Defeat Canada to Highlight Big Soccer Weekend

It was a big weekend for soccer as the Utah State Cup Finals were held in Orem on Friday and Saturday...on Friday night, the Utah Avalanche led by Ute Lauren Porter, defeated the Utah Rush which were led by Mallory Mitamura in the under-19 division.

And in the under-18 bracket, the Black Diamond of Park City defeated the Utah Rush, 2-0, to win their very first state cup after several close calls. Incoming Ute freshmen Hanna Terry and Zoe Van Gorder played vital roles in the victory.

Both teams will join the other winners in the West Region Finals to be held in Lancaster, California during the last week of June....Good luck!

Also, tonight the U.S. Women defeated Canada before 10,000 fans in Toronto, Ontario by a 4-0 score. Former University of Portland star Megan Rapinoe scored on a fantastic bending shot right before the half for a 2-0 lead. And UCLA forward Lauren Cheney scored on a great header late for the 4th goal.

For more information, click here for more news at ussoccer.com

U.S. vs. Japan game in doubt

Well, this could be some very bad news....it looks like Japan is canceling its tour of the U.S. this month due to the Swine Flu crisis that has hit its borders...Certainly understandable...we'll have to see if it is going to be re-scheduled or if the U.S. will try to find another opponent...

Here is the report we saw on Sports Illustrated.com.

We will try to find out more and pass it along as soon as possible...
Stay tuned...

U.S. Team Named for Utah Visit

U.S. women's national team coach, Pia Sundhage named the 21 players that will be suiting up and playing for the team in its 2 game series with Japan...The team will face the Japanese in Dallas on Wednesday May 20 and then fly to Salt Lake City for a game on May 23 at Rio Tinto Stadium. The U.S. and Japan will both practice at Ute Field on Thursday, May 21...the U.S. at 5:30 P.M. and Japan at 7:00 P.M.

Here's what Pia had to say about the roster...


“Now is the time to start investing in 2011. We are bringing in an interesting mix of some newer players and players with experience, as well as some college players. The WPS has given us the chance to look at some new players, and it’s fantastic that Abby is back in business.”



Here are the 21 players:

U.S. Women’s National Team Roster vs. Japan
Frisco, Texas; May 20
Sandy, Utah; May 23

GOALKEEPERS (3): Nicole Barnhart (FC Gold Pride), Kelsey Davis (Portland), Hope Solo (St. Louis Athletica)
DEFENDERS (7): Brittany Bock (Los Angeles Sol), Rachel Buehler (FC Gold Pride), Lori Chalupny (St. Louis Athletica), Marian Dalmy (Chicago Red Stars), Amy LePeilbet (Boston Breakers), Heather Mitts (Boston Breakers), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx (Los Angeles Sol), Angela Hucles (Boston Breakers), Carli Lloyd (Chicago Red Stars), Christine Nairn (Penn State), Heather O’Reilly (Sky Blue FC), Megan Rapinoe (Chicago Red Stars), Lindsay Tarpley (Chicago Red Stars)
FORWARDS (4): Lauren Cheney (UCLA), Casey Nogueira (North Carolina), Amy Rodriguez (Boston Breakers), Abby Wambach (Washington Freedom)

Some notes about the rosters:

• Four of the players are still in college...Kelsey Davis, Christine Nairn, Lauren Cheney and Casey Nogueira
• The matches will mark the return of Abby Wambach to international play...Abby missed the Olympics with a broken leg.

Tickets for the May 23 match at Rio Tinto Stadium, home to Real Salt Lake of MLS, start at $18 and can be purchased through ussoccer.com, by phone at 801-727-2700 (Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and at the Rio Tinto Stadium ticket office (open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

May to Bring Lots of Soccer Excitement

May is here and, along with the great weather, lots of fantastic things will be happening. Headlining the month will be a visit to Utah by the United States and Japanese Women's National Teams. The U.S. will play Japan on Saturday, May 23 at Rio Tinto Stadium (home of ReAL Salt Lake) at 4:00 P.M.

By the way, if you are looking for tickets, click here for more information!

During the trip, the U.S. and Japan teams will train at our own Ute Field on Thursday, May 21. The U.S. team will train at 5:30 P.M. and Japan will train at 7:00 P.M. We have been told that both training sessions will be open to the public...We'll keep you posted. What a fantastic opportunity to see some great players...We guess we'll get a chance to watch the likes of Abby Wambach and Hope Solo for the U.S. As well as Homare Sawa and Aya Miyama. Sawa is Japan's all-time player and currently is on the Washington Freedom. Miyama has been a true revelation in the midfield for the L.A. Sol in the new WPS and we can't wait to watch her in person.

In preparation for the training, we added a new wind screen to the East Fence at Ute Field. And it looks great! Facing out to Mario Capecchi drive, it will stand out to all the drivers headed to and from the school as well as the hospital complex on campus...wow!








May is also many other things...final exams and the end of the 2nd semester for the players. And starting today (May 1), NCAA rules allow players to play with outside teams. Many of our younger players will return to their youth clubs to play... So, people like Lauren Porter (Avalanche), Anne Shallenberger and Kellie Woodfield (Celtic Storm), Shay Kennedy (Impact), will be competing in the under 19 State Cup. Hannah Turpen (So. Cal Blues) and Lauren Dudley (FC Las Vegas) will be playing in the Cal South and Nevada State Cups.

And we have two WPSL teams in Utah...the Sparta team and the Utah Starzz...on which many of our players will participate.

Lots going on....stay tuned!

U.S. Women Coming to Utah!

Just announced today...the gold-medal winning U.S. women's soccer team will be coming to Utah to face Japan in a friendly match on May 23rd! The game will be held at Rio Tinto Stadium, the new home of Real Salt Lake, at 4:00 P.M. mountain time.

The game will be a rematch of the exciting semifinal match at the 2008 Olympics in China when the U.S. came back to win a 4-2 thriller after trailing 1-0. The game will feature many players that will be playing in the inaugural season of the WPS.

Click here to read the announcement at the official web site of U.S. Soccer.

(Photo from U.S. Soccer web site)


Today's trivia question(s):
When was the only other time that the U.S. women came to Utah?
Who was the opponent?
Where was the game played?

More to come about this exciting event!