Just a few observations on the first half:

The crowd is bosterious but I can't hazard a guess as to the size as the stands across from the press box are completely vacant, save the on the field seats and the luxury boxes. I can hear the crowd, but I can't see them.

Wambach is working hard but seems a little off shot-wise.

The US has had a butt-load of corners. Okay, it was only eight but seemed like 50.

Pia has been very active on the sidelines. She pulled Tarpley over for about a 30 second pow-wow during the run of play.

Looks like Osborne, Whitehill, Lopez, Rodriguez and Hucles are warming up.

And I've run out of time. Enjoy the second half. Hopefully the US will hold it together better than the last two outings.

In a few hours, I will be heading to Lisbon to catch a plane home. It has been an incredible week of soccer here in the Algarve and while I am anxious to get home to my family, I am sad to see it end.

It isn't often that you get the opportunity to see a team transform before your eyes and while they still have some work to do, I feel like the team I saw take on Denmark today was a better and different team than I saw against China just last week. They faced tougher opponents as the tournament wore on and while their new, more possession oriented style of play wasn't automatic when the pressure was turned on, they stuck with it and it looked better and more natural with each game.

During the opening minutes against China through the waning minutes of the final, I was struck by the chatter I heard out on the field. The team was communicating at a volume I haven't observed since Julie Foudy left the pitch. Sometimes it was captain Christie Rampone exhorting the troops. Other times it was Kate Markgraf shouting out instruction. Heather O'Reilly was frequently heard calling for the ball. At first I wondered if it was my imagination or if the chatter was more noticeable due to the lack of fan noise on the field, but Rampone confirmed my observation.

"The communication is just really good, better than I think it’s ever been," said Rampone. "It’s definitely something we’ve been working on in training because everyone is responsible out there. We’ve been working on being on the same page and having the same voice instead of making so many different commands and I think everyone is feeling more and more comfortable."

As to Pia Sundhage, other than a quick interview at the College Cup, this was my first real exposure to her. She has an enthusiasm that is contagious and while she is a very savvy coach, in some ways she is just a big kid that loves soccer. She talks a lot about belief, courage and confidence. Her team seems to have bought in and will leave the Algarve with more confidence in what they are doing as they have seen it work.

The team will get a week off when they get home although they have a running program to keep them on track, then they are back together to get ready for Olympic Qualifying.

As for me, they are still pictures to post, videos to edit and thoughts to share (as well as Issue 12 to pull together), but they will have to wait until I get back to Georgia and get a few hours sleep. Thanks for sticking with us during the 2008 Algarve Cup. Look for an update on Friday.

There is good news and bad news from today’s match against Norway. The bad news is that U.S. had a really rough first half. They had difficulty solving Norway’s pressure and had a tough time playing the ball through the midfield.

The good news is that the U.S. had a really rough first half, but stuck to the game plan, found a way to solve the pressure, and came back and spanked Norway 4-0 in the second half.

Yes, they had a little help from Norway’s ‘keeper, Ingrid Hjelmseth, but both goals that were in part the result of ‘keeper error wouldn’t have happened with out some pretty spectacular individual effort. Natasha Kai did well to read Hjelmseth’s casual ball placement and put herself in great position to take advantage.

“The big lift in the second half was Tasha Kai’s goal to start off our scoring streak,” said Heather O’Reilly. “Her energy and read on that play was just phenomenal.”

Amy Rodriguez’s shot was weak and should have easily been handled by Hjelmseth, but a nice ball from Wambach and some equally nice moves from Rodriguez put her in position to take the shot in the first place.

Wambach and O’Reilly’s goals were first class.

Pia Sundhage once again used all six subs (Tarpley, Whitehill, Heath, Rodriguez, Lopez and Osborne) and was pleased with the effort she got off the bench.

“The players coming off the bench, they did a great job and that’s a strength,” said Sundhage. “We will play the bench and that’s a message I want to send.”

This match was a better opportunity for Sundhage and the coaching staff to assess Nicole Barnhart and she looked good. Her performance here should keep her in the mix for the trip to Beijing.

Christie Rampone earned the Sierra Mist Player of the Match for the second game in a row. Rampone had an outstanding World Cup and just seems to be getting better and better.

I think it is pretty safe to assume that Natasha Kai, Amy Rodriguez, and Lauren Cheney are competing for two spots on the Olympic roster. They’ve each gotten a start in this tournament and so far, I can’t say that any one has distinguished herself one way or the other over the other two. We’ll see what happens on Wednesday when the U.S. takes on Denmark.

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.

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.

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.

Heather Mitts, who is still rehabbing from an ACL injury, has been busy at the NSCAA Convention signing autographs for Under Armour and Women’s Professional Soccer. She took a short break to catch up with Fair Game readers.

Give us an update on the injury. You were in the mini-camp in December. Did you do any contact drills then?

I wasn’t supposed to, but I did. It’s so hard not to when you get out there. That’s the thing that I talked about with Pia. I’m not ready for China because I’m not ready to go out there and be 100%, so we thought maybe February coming into camp which I’m going to do on the 1st and hopefully make the Algarve Cup, without the brace, being 100% and going forward from there.
How are you feeling now?

Great. I’m in Philly right now doing double days. It feels like it did before, Now I know it’s just a matter of me getting out there and getting used to playing with the new players and the old players and getting game fit again.

Have you been following the Four Nations Tournament?

As well as I can. It’s hard when you’re not over there, but I know they’ve won both their games so far. Pia is going to do a great job. I know the players, I’ve talked to a lot of them, are really excited about going forward and obviously the Olympics.

What were your impressions of Pia from the four-day camp in December?

Luckily for me, she was my coach in Philly, so I knew her a little bit before hand. It was so much fun because I knew what to expect and it’s the same old Pia. It’s a completely different philosophy and I think it will be great for this US team to be able to go out there with a new coach and play a new style of soccer.

You’re here signing autographs at the Women’s Professional Soccer booth. What do you think now that it’s really official?

I’m so excited that it’s coming back. We need it. Not only for those kids looking forward to coming out of college and playing and little girls growing up, but also the fact that it’s going to help our Women’s National Team with the pool. We saw that when it went away, we didn’t have as many players that were training single everyday. I think it’s so important to the growth of women’s soccer here in the states.

The WUSA was critical to your development as a player.

I wouldn’t have been on the National Team if it weren’t for the league. It’s just so important for so many of those girls coming out of college that don’t have the means to be able to play every single day with the Women’s National Team. I’ve gotten so lucky from it and I know Shannon Boxx and Abby Wambach are the same story. You look at them and they are two of the best players on the team. It was detrimental not to have a league and I know we are all looking forward to it being back.

I had a chance to speak with new U.S. Women’s National Team head coach, Pia Sundhage, between matches at the semis of the 2007 NCAA Women’s College Cup last night. I found her to be a warm and candid interview. She hedged on a few things, mostly regarding details of how her coaching staff is shaping up, but was generally forthcoming. I’ll post the interview in Q&A format next week after I get back from College Station, but here are a few tidbits to chew on until then.

As to the mini-camp roster and the World Cup players that aren’t on it:

• Stephanie Lopez is getting married next week. (As a side note, Lindsay Tarpley is also getting married next week, but will participate in some of the camp.)
• Angela Hucles is on a humanitarian aid trip in Africa and will miss the mini-camp with Pia’s blessing.
• Pia joked that Kristine Lilly was old and needed the extra rest. She expects her in the January camp regardless of her plans for 2008. She “absolutely” wants Lilly on this team.
• Marci Jobson has taken the head-coaching job at Baylor University and has officially retired. I am scheduled to talk with her later today.
• Tina Ellerston is expecting her second child. She has not retired and will attempt to come back after her child is born.

Sundhage indicated that we could see a few personnel changes from the Word Cup roster, but that there is not time for a complete overhaul.

Her perspective on the team’s play in the World Cup was that the attack was too direct and one-dimensional. She said there was discussion amongst the international coaches that shutting down Wambach would neutralize the U.S..

Greg Ryan has been very helpful in the transition and has provided insight into the player’s she has inherited. She is getting input from others more familiar with the college ranks and youth players as to who deserves a look.

That’s all for now. Check back next week for the full transcript.

U.S. Soccer has announced the the Women's National Team will hold it's last camp of 2007 and first under new coach Pia Sundhage next week. Click here for a peek at the full roster. Kristine Lilly's name is missing along with a few other members of the World Cup team. A team staff is also listed that includes Mark Krikorian, Erica Walsh and Phil Wheddon.

As tempting as it was to look into my crystal ball and offer some speculation as to what it all means, I got in contact with Aaron Heifetz, the WNT's press officer instead to get the facts. Here's the scoop:

• The coaching staff listed is for this camp only. Sundhage will put her permanent staff together before the next camp in January. That doesn't preclude anyone on the list from becoming part of her permanent staff.
• Nothing is to be read into Lilly's name not being on the roster other than Lilly is tired and is taking a break. She has yet to decide if she will compete for a spot in 2008.

The only tiny bit of speculation I will offer is that I suspect the reason why none of the "final four" players are on the roster is that Sundhage will have an opportunity to see them play this weekend during the semi-finals.

It's official. Pia Sundhage is the new U.S. Women's National Team head coach. We "stopped the presses" at Fair Game in anticipation of the announcement so you'll find an article on the hire in Issue 10. It might just arrive in your mailbox a few days later than you were expecting. We spoke with Kristine Lilly today to get her reaction to the news for the article and offer this sneak peak at her response.

What is your reaction to the announcement today that Pia Sundhage is taking over as head coach?
I think it’s exciting. When they didn’t resign Greg, I knew there was going to a process to find a new coach. Choosing Pia and starting to move forward is very exciting. The Olympics are going to be here before you know it and it’s great to have a coach in place. I like Pia and I think she’ll do a great job.
Having played for her, what do you think she brings to the job?
The main thing she brings is she loves the game of soccer. Any way she can make an impact on it she will. Being this coach now, she’s going to add her passion for the game, her tactical awareness, and her experience on and off the field. She has experience coaching against us. She coached in the WUSA. She’s just going to bring so many different dimensions and newness. We’ve never had someone outside of our system so that’s something that’s exciting.
How does this announcement play into your decision about retirement?
You’d think it would make it easier. I don’t know if it makes it easier or harder. I do like playing for Pia. I do like her as a coach, so it does add another dimension to it. I think in the end it’s going to come from what’s inside me. I’m still battling with that. I’m excited because I know she’s going to do great. I think the players are going to like her and I would love to be on the field for her again. That would be fun.
So you’re not just holding out on us? You really haven’t decided?
No I haven’t.
How did the team respond to Pia requesting a mini-camp in December since you’ve already broken for the year?
I think they’ll be ok with it, especially if they want to play soccer (laughs). Just kidding. I think with the transition, she wants to get to know players and to get a little camp in before the year ends. I think it’s probably a good thing because she’s got January and then we’ve got qualifiers. There’s quick stuff happening so I think she wants to get a four day or so camp in and get acquainted with some of the players so its not a whole shock in January and do what we can with the numbers that come in.

Photo by Robyn McNeil