Today at practice all the photographers noticed that Leslie Osborne was sporting a tremendously huge bruise on her thigh. I asked her about it and she shared the gory details.

"I guess I got hit, right when I got in (against Italy). She hit me pretty hard and she went cleats up on me so I actually have her whole cleat on my thigh, but I got it worked on. I have another one on my left thigh, just to make it even. They were pretty brutal out there, kind of like the Brazilians, so it was good."

* Bruise photos compliments of Patricia Giobettii

Cat Whitehill made her first appearance of the year at halftime of yesterday’s match against Italy. She injured her ankle before match play began in the Four Nations Tournament and has been recovering and working on her fitness.

In my article yesterday for ESPNSoccernet, I included a quote from Pia Sundhage about how the coaching staff is working with Cat on her fitness and pushing her to get more out of her game.

Cat graciously talked with me after practice this morning about her recovery and the extra workload. I have to agree with Pia that her attitude is great and she seems ready to do whatever she needs to do to contribute to the team.

You got your first minutes of 2008 yesterday. How did it feel to be back on the field?

To be completely honest, I was nervous at first. I was telling my dad last night that I don’t normally get nervous before games. I think the last game I was truly nervous was before the gold medal game at the Olympics. It was a different feeling. Once I calmed my nerves a little bit after the first 10 minutes, I felt a little bit better and it was fun to be out there.

You injured your ankle in China. Tell me about that.

Unfortunately, it was the practice the day before the first game. I went up for a ball against Tarp and I just landed completely wrong on my ankle. I’ve never actually sprained that ankle before and it took a little bit more than normal to recover.

I talked with Pia yesterday and she indicated that they were working you pretty hard on your fitness to get you back. How’s that going?

It’s tough. I’m doing a little bit more than everyone else. My legs are definitely feeling it, my brain is feeling it, but it’s good for me.

Pia said you had a great attitude about it.

(Laughs.) Well, good. You know, I might as well. I’m getting ready to hopefully play in the Olympics or Olympic qualifying first. Hopefully, I’ll make the Olympic qualifying team and hopefully after that, the Olympic team if we qualify. I want to work as hard as I can so that I can be the best Cat I can be.

What are you doing extra?

Basically, it is everything with a ball, which is really nice. So, they’ll play me a ball thirty yards ahead of me and I have to run catch it, cross it, and then run back to my spot for a minute or two minutes and then based on my heart rate is how long my rest is. I try and get my heart rate down as quickly as possible and then I do it all over again.

How are you legs for practice after doing that?

Well, they don’t feel refreshed. They definitely feel like they’ve been worked and I know that other people are tired and they come to me and are like, “I can’t imagine how you are feeling.” That’s okay. If I’m pushed through this, my body can take more than I expect it to. I’m learning that right now.

Today's 2-0 win over Italy wasn't as "pretty" as the 4-0 trouncing of China earlier in the week, but it was more exciting.

It was nice to see the team knocking the ball around so well and it's good for the ego to score a bunch of goals, but when a team rolls over like China did, there's no drama.

Italy didn't roll over, not for a moment. They pressured the U.S. from the opening kickoff to the final whistle and though it wasn't always "pretty", it made for an lively match.

“It was really a battle. The Italian team was definitely inspired and motivated for this game for the whole 90 minutes," said Heather O'Reilly whose second half goal was a beauty. "It’s not like they lost their desire at any point. It was a very intense game, so it was really a battle for us to calm it down, ping it around, and keep possession, and I don’t think we did that quite as much as we would have liked, but we won 2-0, it’s a great win and we’re moving on towards Norway.”

The midfield shined against China, but it was the back line, led by Christie Rampone, that stood out against Italy. They were tested by the Italians, especially number eight, Melania Gabbiadini, who was consistently dangerous. They came out unscathed, but had some help from the Italians who were frequently caught offsides.

“It was a great match for us because it challenges us. We seemed a little stressed at times…but we just have to stay composed," said Rampone. "We’re a good team. We’re good on the ball and we just have to believe that and I think these games test us, which is good going into qualifying because at times like that we have to compose ourselves and settle down.”

It is imperative to the development of this team to be put in uncomfortable situations before they get to the Olympics. It's easy to possess the ball when there is no pressure, but this was an opportunity to test themselves against some consistent pressure. It wasn't perfect, but it was an important step towards being able to handle the heat the next time they face down a Brazil or North Korea.

I've heard from a few readers and observed some chat on the boards about general frustration at how quickly information is coming out of Portugal. I've experienced the same frustration before, but now that I've "been there" I understand a bit better. In defense of my friends at US Soccer, let me just say, that the conditions at the stadiums thus far have been rather primitive. The stadium the team played in today would probably accommodate 100 fans if it was jam packed. The "press box" had a couple of makeshift tables and there was no power or internet. On the upside, there was a lovely view of the ocean dotted with sail boats. The stadium was about a 40 minute drive from the team's hotel so even if the bus went straight back (which it didn't) it would take a while before the press peeps could even begin their work. Germany is playing its matches at Estadio Algarve which I understand is much more modern presumably so their matches can be televised.

Be patient, they really are working hard to bring you some news.

Greetings from Albufeira, Portugal. I arrived last night, just in time to catch a decent nights sleep and hit the U.S. match with China.

This was my first time to see the team play since the Pia era began, unless you count the teeny video stream from the Four Nations Tournament in China. They looked good – definitely different – but really good.

Possession was the name of the game and they played it well. One touch passes ping-ponged around the pitch, starting at the back and working their way through the midfield to the forwards. There was the occasional long ball thrown in, just to keep China guessing, but the U.S. dominated the match exploring the angles of the pitch with short passing.

After the game, Abby Wambach was pleased with the team’s performance.

“The first half of that game is one of the best halves we’ve played in a long time, not even these past four games, but the past couples years. Things are starting to feel right, where it’s not a struggle. We’re learning how to play the game in angles, “ she said.

Of course, China didn’t put up much of a fight. They were content to stay packed in for most of the match, I can only assume in hopes of breakaway chances, which were few and far between and for which they seemed ill equipped to take advantage of. If China’s new coach, Elizabeth Loisel was looking to use this tournament to get a Chinese Federation that already seems disenchanted with her off her back, she didn’t get off to a good start.

The back line has undergone a bit of a makeover, at least for this match. Kate Markgraf was back in the center in her first match since the World Cup. Captain Christie Rampone joined her there with Lori Chalupny at left back and newcomer Rachel Buehler on the right. Buehler put in a more than solid performance in her first cap, which lasted a full 90.

Shannon Boxx and Carli Lloyd were both outstanding today in the midfield and earned a nod from head coach Pia Sundhage who called their play “tremendous”.

Lindsay Tarpley added another goal to her already impressive tally for 2008 to get her team off to a good start. That was it for the first half. Tobin Heath, who subbed in for Tarpley at half time, recorded her first full international goal just minutes into the 2nd half. Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd rounded out the scoring giving the U.S. their biggest win against China, ever.

That’s it for tonight. I’m going to post some pictures in the Photo Gallery before I get kicked out of the internet cafe which is already closed! I will report in tomorrow after practice.

Fair Game will be keeping you up to date with all the happenings at The Algarve Cup, March 5th - March 12th. Check the site often for new blog posts, photo galleries and all the action. We might even sneak in a video or two if the occassion arises. Stay tuned.

A FG reader sent us this link to an ebay listing of Julie Foudy's high school yearbook complete with a handful of photos from Foudy's high school days. It's pretty crazy the things you can buy on ebay.

Enjoy this highlight video of the Pali Blues run to the 2008 Silver Mug Championship in Las Vegas.

Apparently those rumors that Brandi Chastain was angling for a tryout for the Olympic squad were true. In an interview with Alan Abahramson with NBC Sports , Chastain confirmed that she had been in touch with Pia Sundhage and initially received favorable feedback but in the end was told that Sundhage was looking to go younger.