Women's World Cup: US Gets Tough Draw in Group C

FIFA had the drawing for the 2011 Women's World Cup and they did the US no favors. The United States will be joined by Sweden, Korea DPR, and Colombia in Group C. This is the third consecutive time that Sweden and Korea DPR have been in the same group as the United States. North Korea was in the same group as the US in 1999, 2003, and 2007.

Sweden was the highest ranked team (#4) not to be seeded in the tournament. Many thought they should have been the fourth seeded team instead of Japan. Korea DPR is ranked sixth in the world and was the highest ranked Asian team that was not seeded. Colombia is ranked 32nd and was the second CONMEBOL team to qualify, behind Brazil.

The host team and two time defending champion, Germany, also got a tough draw. Joining them in Group A will be France, Canada, and Nigeria. France, ranked 8th in the world, features WPS stars Camille Abily and Sonia Bompastor. Canada is now ranked 9th after winning the CONCACAF tournament, while Nigeria has consistently been the top team from Africa.

Perhaps the weakest group is Group B, in which Japan was the seeded team. They are joined by the other CONCACAF qualifier, Mexico, as well as England and New Zealand. Brazil, runners-up in the last World Cup, is joined by Norway, Australia, and Equatorial Guinea in Group D.

Germany will face Canada in the opening match on June 26, 2011.

The United States will face Korea DPR on June 28, Colombia on July 2, and Sweden on July 6.

Groups with current FIFA rankings:

Group A: Germany (2), France (8), Canada (9), Nigeria (27)
Group B: Japan (5), England (10), Mexico (22), New Zealand (23)
Group C: USA (1), Sweden (4), Korea DPR (6), Colombia (32)
Group D: Brazil (3), Norway (7), Australia (12), Equatorial Guinea (62)

KIF Örebro: 2010 Susanne Erlandssons Trophy celebration video

While out-and-about on the Internet looking for USA v. Italy recaps, came across this celebration video. Again, job well done KIF Örebro!

US Qualifies for World Cup with 1-0 Victory

The United States were able to overcome a poor start and defeat Italy 1-0 to become the 16th and final qualifier for the 2011 World Cup. The US took the aggregate by a 2-0 margin in the home-and-home series against the 5th place UEFA team.

It wasn't always easy as the Italians, who seemed content to defend and counterattack in the first leg, came out as the aggressor in the opening minutes of this match. They created several great chances early on. Meanwhile, Coach Pia Sundhage described her team's first 20 minutes as "crap". Indeed, the Italians came close several times as the United States played very sloppily throughout the early stages of the opening stanza.

The first chance came in just the 3rd minute of the match as a Patrizia Panico cross to Carolina Pini was broken up at the last second on a great defensive play by Rachel Buehler. Panico had a golden opportunity just a few minutes later as Elisa Camporese played a square ball to her and she was unmarked 12 yards from the goal. Panico's low shot went right to US goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart. A US turnover in their own end gave Panico yet another chance in the 17th minute, but again, her shot from 10 yards on the left side went straight to Barnhart.

An apparent miscommunication almost led to a goal for Italy in the 32nd minute as the ball was rolling towards the US penalty area. Buehler was trying to shield Giulia Domenichetti off the ball, thinking that Barnhart would handle it. The ball had not yet reached the box as Barnhart, Buehler, and Domenichetti all came together at the same time. With Barnhart unable to handle the ball with her hands, a scramble ensued, but Italy was unable to get a shot at the open net and the ball was finally cleared.

While the Italians were unable to take advantage of their chances, the US made good on one of theirs in the 40th minute. Abby Wambach sent the ball outside left to Megan Rapinoe. Rapinoe made a move to the goal, beating defender Roberta D'Adda, and hit a hard low shot from the side of the penalty area. Italian keeper Anna Maria Picarelli made the save, but was unable to control the rebound as it rolled a few feet away. Amy Rodriguez beat a defender to the loose ball and was able to send it into the empty net putting the US on top 1-0.

Wambach nearly got on the board just before intermission, as she got behind the Italian defense. While being hounded by defender Elisabetta Tona, she was able to get a shot off from the 18 but an onrushing Picarelli was able to make the save and deflect the ball wide.

Italian coach Pietro Ghedin went to his bench much earlier in this match, substituting Alia Guagni for D'Adda at the half and Silvia Fuselli for Pini just minutes into the second half.

But if anybody thought the US would be content to sit on their lead, they were mistaken. The United States dominated the 2nd half, controlling possession and creating chance after chance as the Italians were unable to get anything going themselves. Italy spent a good deal of the 2nd half back on their heels as the US threw numbers forward in a menacing fashion.

Just a couple minutes into the half, Rodriguez sent a beautiful cross onto the head of a diving Wambach, but Picarelli made the save at point blank range, perhaps her best of the match.

Lauren Cheney entered the game for Rapinoe in the 59th minute and her first touch of the match was a shot off the crossbar which just missed putting the US up 2-0. Midway through the 2nd half, there was a scramble off of a US corner kick with Amy LePeilbet getting off a shot from inside the box, but Alessia Tuttino blocked the shot just a few feet in front of the goal to keep the margin at one.

As the second half wore on, the Italians mounted a few brief spurts of offense, but nothing particularly dangerous. It was obvious that they were tiring, probably the result of the constant US pressure, the physical nature of this contest, and the long qualifying schedule which they had to endure. In addition, they were playing without forward Melania Gabbiadini for the second consecutive game.

The final whistle led to a US celebration...and probably a sigh of relief...as they became the final team to qualify for next year's World Cup. The United States outshot the Italians by a 17-5 margin for the match, in front of a crowd of 9508 at Toyota Park.

The draw for the World Cup will be held on Monday. The 16 qualifiers are:

CONCACAF: Canada, Mexico, United States
CONMEBOL: Brazil, Columbia
UEFA: Germany (host nation), Sweden, Norway, England, France
AFC: Australia, Japan, North Korea
CAF: Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea
OFC: New Zealand

World Cup or Bust? USWNT vs. Italy (Updated)

By late Saturday afternoon, we will know the fate of the United States Women's National Team. Will they be headed to the 2011 World Cup in Germany or will they become perhaps the biggest bust in the history of women's soccer. Number one teams might get beaten at the World Cup, but they always qualify to get there.

The United States will meet Italy in the second leg of their playoff on Saturday afternoon at Toyota Park in Chicago. The US was quite fortunate to escape Padova with a 1-0 victory or Saturday's task would have been even more daunting. As it stands, a US victory or a tie will send them to Germany for the 2011 World Cup. A 0-1 loss to the Italians will force overtime and possibly penalties. Any other loss and Italy will be come the 16th and final team to qualify for Germany 2011.

To be sure, Alex Morgan's stoppage time goal makes the road to Germany a tad bit easier. Had she not scored in the 94th minute last Saturday, the US would have been forced to score against a strong Italian defense in the second leg in order to gain a favorable result. As it stands, the US can now slip through with a scoreless tie, or any tie for that matter.

Italy played the last game without two starters, forward Melania Gabbiadini and defender Sara Gama. With those two players out, the lack of depth showed in the late stages of last week's contest against the United States. After 80 minutes of nearly flawless soccer, things started to unravel in the final ten minutes. Coach Pietro Ghedin used only one substitution in the match and then very late, as his team appeared to wear down in the closing minutes of the match.

After playing a strong match for most of the day, Italian keeper Anna Maria Picarelli twice got caught out of her net in the closing minutes giving the US several golden chances to take the lead. The Italian defense stopped three shots, one right off the line, in order to preserve the 0-0 score, until Alex Morgan broke free on the right side and slipped one past Picarelli as seconds ticked down in stoppage.

The Italians were content to sit back on defense while waiting for opportunities to counterattack in the opener. Now trailing by a goal, they no longer have that luxury. Leading scorer Patrizia Panico will be the focal point of the Italian attack on Saturday, but Ghedin will likely make some changes to give her more help up front.

Should Gabbiadini and Gama be available on Saturday, they would be welcome additions to the Italian lineup. Gabbiadini scored seven goals in qualifying and is one best offensive players for Italy. Gama, one of the youngest players on the team, is a solid defender who can get forward into the attack. It would also not be surprising to see Pamela Conti, an attacking midfielder and the second leading scorer in qualifying matches with 9 goals.

On the US side, I expect very few, if any, changes from Pia Sundhage. Had the first contest ended in a scoreless draw, I might have expected Ali Krieger to start over Heather Mitts at outside defender. However, Sundhage will likely stay with Mitts, considered the stronger defender of the two, over the more offensive-minded Krieger.

The only other change I could see possible is at forward, where Morgan has had great success, scoring three goals and one assist in just 227 minutes of action for the US team this year. But Sundhage seems to favor using Morgan in the role of supersub, leaving the starting position to Amy Rodriguez or Lauren Cheney, with Rodriguez's speed the most likely complement to Abby Wambach's strength at forward.

While the Italians will be on the road, this has not fazed them one bit in qualifying. They have won tough away matches against Portugal (3-1), Finland (3-1), Ukraine (3-0), Switzerland (4-2), and forced a scoreless draw on the road against France. They almost seem to revel in the role of the visitor. However, the United States has not lost a home match since November 6, 2004 against Denmark, a 3-1 defeat in Philadelphia.

So it comes down to 90 minutes of soccer for the US women, with a World Cup berth on the line. Another goal by the US and the Italians will face a very uphill battle. However, an early Italian goal changes everything and could present the US with the same problem they had last week, scoring on an Italian defense that is totally committed to stopping the American attack. Will the USWNT spend next June and July in front of huge crowds in Germany or will they spend it in front of their television sets, watching the other top teams from around the world compete for the biggest prize of all?

USWNT vs. Italy at Toyota Park, Bridgeview, Illinois
Time: November 27 (1 pm central, 2 pm eastern)
Forecast: Partly cloudy, 33 degrees, 14 mph winds at game time (per http://www.weather.com/).

Possible Starting Lineups:
USWNT (Coach Pia Sundhage)
GK-Nicole Barnhart
DF-Rachel Buehler
DF-Amy LePeilbet
DF-Christie Rampone
DF-Heather Mitts
MF-Shannon Boxx
MF-Carli Lloyd
MF-Heather O'Reilly
MF-Megan Rapinoe
FW-Abby Wambach
FW-Amy Rodriguez

Bench-Alex Morgan (F), Lauren Cheney (F), Yael Averbuch (M), Kristine Lilly (M), Lori Lindsey (M), Ali Krieger (D), Stephanie Cox (D), Jill Loyden (GK).

Italy (Coach Pietro Ghedin)
GK-Anna Maria Picarelli
DF-Sara Gama (if healthy)
DF-Roberta D'Adda
DF-Elisabetta Tona
DF-Raffaella Manieri
MF-Alessia Tuttino
MF-Giulia Domenichetti
MF-Pamela Conti
MF/FW-Elisa Camporese
FW-Patrizia Panico
FW-Melania Gabbiadini (if healthy)

Bench-Silvia Fuselli (F), Evelyn Vicchiarello (F), Carolina Pini (M), Marta Carissimi (M), Tatiana Zorri (M), Laura Neboli (D), Viviana Schiavi (D), Chiara Marchitelli (GK).

Update: It has been reported by Associated Press, ESPN, and other sources that Melania Gabbiadini will not play tomorrow due to her ankle injury.

Alex Morgan Sends US to Chicago Happy: USA 1, Italy 0

It certainly had the look of a frustrating day for the USWNT. While they had the majority of possession and chances, it appeared that the first leg of the playoff with Italy would end in a scoreless draw. But in the 93rd minute, Carli Lloyd sent a long ball from the US side of midfield which was flicked to the right side by Abby Wambach. Alex Morgan ran onto the ball perfectly, touched it forward and then sent a low shot to the far post, just past Italian goalkeeper Anna Maria Picarelli, to give the US a 1-0 victory.

Morgan, the youngest player on the US team, did not enter the game until the 84th minute when she subbed in for Amy Rodriguez as the final US substitution. The University of California senior has been an impact player for the national team through Concacaf qualifying and again today. She scored twice in Mexico, but the goal today may have saved the United States' chances for the 2011 World Cup.

Pia Sundhage stayed with the same basic lineup that used in Mexico, with Barnhart in goal, Buehler, LePeilbet, Rampone, and Mitts across the back, Boxx, Lloyd, Rapinoe, and O'Reilly in the midfield, and Rodriguez with Wambach up front. The Italians started Picarelli, D'Adda, Neboli, Tona, Manieri, Tuttino, Carissimi, Domenichetti, Pini, Camporese, and Panico.

The US controlled the first 25 minutes of the game as the Italians seemed content to defend and wait for counterattacking opportunities. In spite of their edge, the US would get very few chances with most being weak shots from bad angles. Elisabetta Tona did a fine job in marking Abby Wambach, giving her little room to operate. The US failed to take advantage of several set pieces in the opening half. Italy, which has rarely given up a first half goal, stayed true to form in blanking the US through 45 minutes.

Toward the end of the half, the Italian attack became more lively, but they seemed unable to make the final pass that would set up a good scoring chance. Alessia Tuttino was able to get a shot from long range in the 27th minute, forcing Nicole Barnhart to make a jumping save, which she handled easily.

After a fairly well played first half, the second half started out with some ragged play. Neither team looked sharp or appeared to have any control over the tempo of the match. The US tried several wayward long balls, with little coming from it. And while the Italians had been guilty of some shirt-tugging early on, the Americans started committing some frustration fouls as the game wore on.

The US had a prime opportunity in the 58th minute as Shannon Boxx split two defenders on the right side of the box and appeared to have a clear shot on net. She elected to go square with a pass instead, and the US were unable to get a good shot off, with the Italians clearing. At that point, Lauren Cheney became the first substitution, in for Heather O'Reilly in the 62nd minute to add some offense.

But it was also at this point that the Italians started to assert themselves. The US got caught back on their heels, taking some time before clearing a Elisa Camporese cross and shortly thereafter, Nicole Barnhart was forced to make a diving save on Patrizia Panico's shot from 20 yards. In the 72nd minute, Giulia Domenichetti appeared to have a step on the US defense, but Rachel Buehler made a nice recovery and neatly dispossessed Domenichetti to save a potentially dangerous chance for the Italians.

Sundhage's second move appeared to be with offense in mind as well, sending Ali Krieger in for Heather Mitts at outside back in the 75th minute. Krieger, who plays professionally in Germany, is probably the most offensive-minded defender for the United States team.

It appeared that the US were ready for a breakthrough in the 80th minute as Picarelli got caught well out of her goal while trying to punch a ball clear, but Amy Rodriguez's shot was headed away by an Italian defender just a few feet short of the net.

A few minutes later, Domenichetti was handed a yellow for hauling down Lloyd by the shirt as it appeared the American midfielder was moving in for a shot from about 30 yards out. Lori Lindsey managed to get a yellow card from the bench just before the end of regulation time.

Again, at the close of regulation, Picarelli got caught out, but consecutive shots by Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach were blocked by the Italian defense and the ball was ultimately cleared out of trouble.

Referee Silvia Reyes Juarez of Peru added just two minutes of stoppage and as the clock ticked into the 93rd minute, it appeared the match would end scoreless. The Italians made what was perhaps an ill-advised substitution in stoppage, which apparently added time to the match. It may have given the US the extra time they needed for the play that would lead to Morgan's heroics. Even after Morgan's goal, the game continued on well into five minutes of stoppage before the final whistle blew.

This was the first time that the United States had defeated Italy on the Italians' home soil. The Americans are 6-0-1 lifetime against Italy at home, with the lone blemish being a 2-2 tie in Kansas City, Missouri in 2003.

The 1-0 victory made the United States' task a little easier than a 0-0 tie would have. Now they will win the playoff with a tie or a win at home next weekend and a 0-1 loss would only force an overtime. The second leg of the match will be played next Saturday at Toyota Park in Chicago. Game time is scheduled for 1 pm central, 2 pm eastern time.

USWNT vs. Italy: Two Teams, Two Games, One Berth

Just over a month ago, very few people thought the USWNT would be sweating out a World Cup berth in late November, but one upset loss to Mexico has put a hold on their ticket to Germany 2011. A two-leg playoff against UEFA's 5th place finisher, Italy, starts tomorrow in Padova, Italy at 10:30 am eastern time. The second leg will be played at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois on November 27.

The US leads the all-time series by an 8-4-1 margin, but they have lost all four matches on Italian soil. To be fair, three of those games came in the 1980's. The fourth was a 2001 match in which the US featured a team made up entirely of college and high school players, basically a U-21 team. The last two meetings between these two teams were in 2008 and both ended in 2-0 victories for the US, with Abby Wambach scoring both goals in one match and Lindsay Tarpley and Heather O'Reilly doing the honors in the other match.

The two teams involved have taken quite different paths to this match. The US were overwhelming favorites to be one of the two Concacaf automatic qualifiers. They swept through their group stage with a fair amount of ease, only to fall to a spirited Mexican team in the semifinals in Cancun. They recovered with a solid, if unspectacular, 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in the 3rd place match.

Italy, on the other hand, had to go through a brutal UEFA qualifying schedule. First they had to win their group over the likes of Finland and Portugal, which they did with a 7-0-1 record, with the only blemish being a tie to the Finns. They lost a chance to take an easier road to the World Cup, losing to France 3-2 in the 2nd leg of a playoff, after the first leg had ended in a scoreless tie. They then had to fight through Ukraine and Switzerland to make it to this playoff with the US. All told, they went 10-1-3 over 14 qualifying matches, with the lone loss being to a very tough French side which features WPS stars Sonia Bompastor and Camille Abily.

Make no mistake about it, this Italian side is tough, experienced, and tested. They feature a veteran lineup, with most of their starters being in the prime of their careers between 25 and 30 years old. They are led, however, by a veteran captain whose name is very familiar to WPS fans. Patrizia Panico, who spent a fair amount of time sporting a Sky Blue FC jersey last season, is the Italian captain and leading scorer. At age 35, she is still a force to be reckoned with, scoring 11 goals and 7 assists in the 14 qualifying matches.

The other top offensive threats for the Italians are rising star Elisa Camporese, midfielder Pamela Conti, and forward Melania Gabbiadini. Camporese scored two goals against Switzerland in the final match that sent Italy into this playoff. It is reported on the UEFA website that Gabbiadini might miss the first leg of this playoff, with the same being true of defender Sara Gama.

Anna Maria Picarelli will be the Italian starter in goal. She played college soccer at Pepperdine here in the states and was once called up to the US U-23 team, but at 5-5, was deemed to be too short to be a keeper for the United States. She has been solid in goal for the Italians, playing every single minute of their 14 qualifying matches, posting nine shutouts and surrendering more than one goal only twice, in the loss to France and in the final playoff match against Switzerland.

The United States have tried to put on a brave face since the loss to Mexico, while admitting that the loss was a setback, still confident and in control of their own destiny. Coach Pia Sundhage added four players to the roster for the Italian playoff, goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris, midfielder Leslie Osborne, midfielder/striker Lindsay Tarpley, and midfielder Tina DiMartino. They join the 20 players that represented the US at Concacaf. From this, one can gather that the midfield is the one area likely to see change, while the defense and attack will stay much the same as in Cancun.

Mexico was able to breakdown the US through good passing, strong technical play, and solid defense. The problem for the Americans is that they are likely to see more of the same on Saturday. And unlike the Mexican squad, the Italians add far more experience to the mix.

From a defensive standpoint, Osborne can be one of the best in the midfield. But she missed the end of the WPS season with injury, ironically from a tackle by Panico, and has played little competitive soccer since. DiMartino and Tarpley could certainly help the US passing game, but will their few days training with the squad in Italy be enough to influence Sundhage to let either see significant playing time? Passing and possession were a problem for the US midfield against Mexico.

From an attacking standpoint, Abby Wambach will lead the way. Unfortunately, she has been the only consistent goal scorer for the US side. Lauren Cheney, Amy Rodriguez, and Alex Morgan will battle for the other attacking position. Cheney was great early in 2010, scoring numerous goals for the US at Algarve and in friendlies, but lately the goals have been fewer and farther between. She is the strongest of three, Rodriguez is the fastest, but Alex Morgan has shown brightest of late. Still, Sundhage appears to prefer Morgan off the bench, leading one to believe that either Cheney or Rodriguez will be Wambach's running mate up front.

The US must shore up defensively, after Mexico was able to exploit some weaknesses and mistakes in the Concacaf semifinal. The middle is patrolled by veterans Amy LePeilbet and Christie Rampone, but the outside has been problematic. Rachel Buehler is essentially a center back playing outside left, while Heather Mitts and Ali Krieger have been playing outside right, with neither being impressive enough to win over Sundhage on a permanent basis. Nicole Barnhart suffered her first loss as a USWNT goalkeeper in the match to Mexico, but has been solid otherwise.

The winner will be decided by aggregate goals, with the first tiebreaker being goals on the road. If all is still even, overtime and potentially penalties will follow the second leg. My feeling is that the US needs to win the first leg or at least score two goals in a tie to put themselves in good position for the second leg. And scoring against the Italians can be a problem. In their last six matches, against the likes of France, Ukraine, and Switzerland in pressure situations, they have not surrendered a first half goal.

In any event, what would have been shocking just a short time ago is now a possibility. The United States, the world's number one ranked team and defending Olympic champions, may not qualify for the 2011 World Cup. They control their destiny with a tough Italian side standing firmly in their way. What will we be talking about 8 days from now, the US team heading to the World Cup with time to regroup before next June or the US team being home alone and wondering how this all happened?

Fact Summary:

USWNT vs. Italy at Padova, Italy (Saturday, November 20 at 10:30 am eastern time)
Telecast: ESPN3.com

All-time record: USWNT 8 wins, Italy 4 wins, with one tie.
Last meeting: June 19, 2008 in South Korea with the US winning 2-0.

Possible lineups (with qualifying statistics):
USWNT
GK: Nicole Barnhart (5 games, 4 shutouts, 0.40 GAA)
DF: Amy LePeilbet (5 games)
DF: Christie Rampone (5 games)
DF: Rachel Buehler (4 games, 1 goal)
DF: Heather Mitts (3 games) or Ali Krieger (2 games)
MF: Shannon Boxx (5 games, 1 assist)
MF: Carli Lloyd (5 games, 2 goals, 5 assists)
MF: Heather O'Reilly (4 games, 3 assists)
MF: Megan Rapinoe (3 games, 2 goals, 1 assist)
FW: Abby Wambach (5 games, 8 goals, 1 assist)
FW: Amy Rodriguez (4 games, 4 goals) or Lauren Cheney (3 games, 2 goals, 1 assist)

Others: Alex Morgan-FW (4 GP, 2 G, 1 A), Kristine Lilly-MF (3 GP, 2 A), Lori Lindsey-MF (3 GP, 2 A), Yael Averbuch-MF (3 GP, 1 G), Becky Sauerbrunn-DF (1 GP), Stephanie Cox-DF (1 GP), Jill Loyden-GK (did not play). Leslie Osborne-MF, Tina DiMartino-MF, Lindsay Tarpley-MF/FW, and Ashlyn Harris-GK were not on the roster for Concacaf qualifying.

Italy (assuming Gabbiadini and Gama are injured)
GK: Anna Maria Picarelli (14 games, 9 shutouts, 0.57 GAA)
DF: Roberta D'Adda (14 games, 1 assist)
DF: Elisabetta Tona (12 games, 4 goals, 2 assists)
DF: Raffaella Manieri (8 games)
DF: Viviana Schiavi (9 games, 1 goal)
MF: Alessia Tuttino (11 games, 1 goal)
MF: Giulia Domenichetti (10 games, 2 goals) or Tatiana Zorri (11 games, 1 assist)
MF: Pamela Conti (13 games, 9 goals, 2 assists)
MF/FW: Elisa Camporese (11 games, 5 goals, 5 assists)
FW: Patrizia Panico (14 games, 11 goals, 7 assists)
FW: Silvia Fuselli (8 games, 2 goals)

Others: Melania Gabbiadini-FW (11 GP, 7 G, 5 A), Sara Gama-DF (13 GP, 2 G), Carolina Pini-MF (5 GP, 1 G), Marta Carissimi-MF (5 GP, 1 G), Evelyn Vicchiarello-FW (2 GP), Laura Neboli-DF (3 GP), Chiara Marchitelli-GK (did not play), Maria Sorvillo-DF (did not play), Elisa Bartoli-DF (did not play).

WPS Survives, Gold Pride Doesn't

Women's Professional Soccer has announced that it will continue into 2011 with at least six teams. The league will include Boston, Sky Blue FC, Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, and the new Western New York (Buffalo/Rochester) franchise. FC Gold Pride, however, became the third of the original seven to fold. The Chicago Red Stars remain a question mark for the 2011 season, as additional investment is sought with a deadline of December 15 being set.

If we were using Queen songs to describe Gold Pride's last three months, they have gone from "We Are the Champions" to "Another One Bites the Dust" in a remarkably short period of time. The current owners, the NeSmith family, have been seeking additional investors/owners for some time, but could not attract enough interest to keep the franchise alive for 2011 in spite of all efforts.

FC Gold Pride won both the regular season title and the playoff championship last season. It marks the second straight year that the regular season champions have not returned the following year. The Los Angeles Sol won the 2009 regular season title before folding in January, 2010. A third original team, Saint Louis Athletica, folded in May, 2010 during the middle of the season.

So at this point, the league's three western-most franchises have folded, with the next farthest west, Chicago, in limbo. Both Red Star and league officials are optimistic that additional investors can be found to save the Chicago franchise for 2011. Should they not survive, WPS would be confined to the eastern time zone.

All Gold Pride players will become free agents, with the free agent period starting tomorrow. Judging from the expansion draft protected list released in October, FC Gold Pride had 11 players under contract for the 2011 season. They include FIFA Player of the Year Marta and WPS Rookie of the Year Ali Riley. Additionally, Kiki Bosio, Carrie Dew, Becky Edwards, Kristen Graczyk, Tiffeny Milbrett, Kandace Wilson, Brittany Cameron, Rosie Tantillo, and Kimberly Yokers appear to have been under contract at that time.

More information is expected tomorrow.

Canada Edges Mexico 1-0 in Concacaf Final; US To Play Italy

Christine Sinclair's penalty kick early in the 2nd half turned out to be the game winner as Canada defeated Mexico 1-0 in the Concacaf final in Cancun, Mexico. In spite of a brave effort by the home team and great support from their home crowd, the Mexican side were unable to repeat their magic from Friday night's victory over the US in the semifinals.

The hero of Friday night, Veronica Perez, was ejected for an intentional hand ball in the box, which led to the penalty kick. The Canadians, who had held the better of play to that point, were able to control possession for much of 2nd half with the player advantage, allowing only a couple of chances for Mexico in the closing stages of the match.

Karina LeBlanc, who played last season for the Philadelphia Independence, earned the shutout for the Canadians. Canada was able to blank Mexico for the second time in the tournament, having defeated them 3-0 in the group stage less than a week earlier. Canada outscored their opponents by a 17-0 for their five matches in the tournament.

Both Canada and Mexico will advance to the 2011 World Cup which will be played in Germany next June and July.

US 3, Costa Rica 0

It wasn't necessarily pretty, but the USWNT was able to get the job done in a must win situation, defeating Costa Rica 3-0. Abby Wambach's brace was the highlight of the match for the US.

US coach Pia Sundhage inserted Lori Lindsey, Ali Krieger, and Lauren Cheney into the lineup for this match following Friday night's disappointing effort.

Cheney put her team up 1-0 in the opening stanza, on a deflected shot that eluded Costa Rican goalkeeper, Dinnia Diaz. Lori Lindsey had possession on the left side of the box and passed back across the middle to Cheney, who was able to work her way free for the shot from 15 yards. Diaz appeared to have the shot covered, but it deflected off the inside of a defender's legs and went behind Diaz who was moving in the opposite direction.

Abby Wambach made it 2-0 on the goal of the match. Lori Lindsey sent the ball from 35 yards out into the penalty area. Wambach slipped behind the defense and volleyed the ball beautifully into the left corner of the net.

At the start of the 2nd half, Costa Rica nearly cut the lead to one. A breakdown in the US defense saw Monica Malvassi get in alone on Nicole Barnhart, but her weak shot hit the left post and was cleared easily. On the counterattack, Cheney pushed the ball out to Abby Wambach, who had gotten clear at the extreme right side of the penalty area. Wambach sent the ball low past Diaz inside the far post to make it 3-0.

The US will now face Italy in a home-and-home playoff for the final World Cup berth. The US will travel to Padua (Padova), Italy for a November 20 match. The Italians will then travel to Chicago to face the US at Toyota Park on November 27.

Some information for this story was obtained through the Official Concacaf Website.

Familiar Faces in Aussie W-League

The Australian Westfield W-League began play this weekend and there are several faces familiar to US soccer fans that dot the rosters for various teams.

Ashleigh Gunning, who has spent time in WPS camps, plays for Adelaide. She was in the starting lineup facing Newcastle and their goalkeeper, none other than Boston Breaker keeper Allison Lipsher. Lipsher got the best of Adelaide on this day, gaining the shutout as Sasha McDonnell scored two late goals to lead Newcastle to a 2-0 victory. Newcastle's roster also features Niki Cross, who has spent time with FC Gold Pride, Boston, and Saint Louis in WPS. Cross was injured in training and did not play in the first match.

Meanwhile, Sydney got two goals from Matilda star and former Chicago Red Star, Heather Garriock, in their 4-2 victory over the Brisbane Roar. Lydia Vandenbergh, also a Red Star, started for Sydney after spending last season for Central Coast Mariners, which dropped out of the league.

Canberra United defeated Perth 4-1 led by a hat trick from Michelle Heyman, who led the league in goals last season as a Mariner. Lydia Williams, who spent time with Chicago, played goalkeeper for Canberra. Washington Freedom defender Alex Singer started for Perth.

Finally, Kendall Fletcher of Sky Blue FC and formerly with Saint Louis Athletica, is on the roster for Melbourne, which had a bye week. Fletcher, like Vandenbergh, Heyman, and USWNT goalkeeper Jill Loyden, played for Central Coast last season.

Information for this story was obtained from the Official Website of the Westfield W-League. Follow W-League action at http://www.w-league.com.au/.

MEXICO UPSETS US in World Cup Qualifying 2-1

A game Mexican squad, playing in front of a boisterous home crowd, upset the USWNT 2-1 tonight in Cancun, Mexico. For most of the evening, the underdog Mexicans outhustled and outplayed a US team that hadn't lost since a penalty kick decision at the 2009 Algarve Cup to Sweden.

Mexico had their foot on the gas peddle from the opening whistle, catching a sluggish looking US squad back on their heels. They struck first in the 3rd minute on a set piece. A long free kick was sent forward and Nayeli Rangel headed the ball toward the goal. Mexican star Maribel Dominguez slipped behind the defense and chipped the ball neatly over Nicole Barnhart's head for a 1-0 lead.

The US equalized in the 25th minute. A corner kick came loose in the box after Mexican goalkeeper Erika Vanegas was unable to handle it. Carli Lloyd slotted the loose ball into the net to knot the score at one.

It was only a minute later, however, that Mexico regained the lead. A high cross was sent into the box and former Saint Louis Athletica developmental player, Veronica Perez, headed it home past Barnhart.

The rest of the half saw the US often resorting to long passes and ill-advised shots, none of which came remotely close to scoring. Mexico headed into the intermission with a 2-1 lead. Little did anyone realize that there would be no more scoring.

The US would get very few good opportunities during the match. While they controlled the pace of the match much better in the 2nd half, the Mexican defense was more than up to the task, keeping most of the pressure away from their keeper. The Mexican team looked surprisingly poised compared to the far greater experienced USWNT. A frustrated US side was very ragged with their passing game and from a defensive standpoint, resorted to shirt-tugging all too often.

Perhaps the best chance for the US came well into the 2nd half as Alex Morgan corralled a loose ball off of a corner and turned with a hard shot that went right into the gut of Vanegas.

In stoppage time, Abby Wambach collided with Kenti Robles on a header that left both women bleeding, with blood gushing from Wambach's head. She got taped up, but the 4th official was unable to get the head referee's attention and Wambach was never able to rejoin the match.

A joyous Mexican crowd counted down the seconds to victory and the closing whistle set off quite the celebration. Mexico will now face Canada for the Concacaf championship, although both teams have already qualified for the World Cup. Canada broke open a close game late to win by a 4-0 margin over Costa Rica. Canadian goals were scored by Josee Belanger, Jonelle Foligno, Christine Sinclair, with a fourth coming on an own goal in stoppage time.

As for the US, the road just got a lot more difficult. They must now defeat Costa Rica once again in the 3rd place match. If they win that, they would face Italy in a home-and-home on November 20 and 27 for the final World Cup berth. Italy finished in 5th place in UEFA qualifying.