WPS Allocations

It's been far too long since I've written about the women's game, so here's some fodder for that anticipated water cooler discussion.

I expected the returns of Angela Hucles and Kristine Lilly to Boston. No surprise there. With another recognizable name like Heather Mitts on board, the Breakers have positioned themselves well with their selections. If the matches were played on paper, I already like the Breakers' chances.

I can't tell you how excited I am that the Breakers - and women's pro soccer as a whole - are finally back. Without going on a full-bore tangent, I can't overstate how great this is for not only soccer fans, but girls who play sports. Their dreams of becoming professional athletes can only be enhanced with WPS now in place. I've stated before that if I'm blessed to have a daughter/daughters someday, I'll want her/them to look at the Breakers as sports role models. In fact, one of the things I look forward to as a parent someday is taking my daughter(s) to a Breakers game up at a soccer-spec stadium TBA.

I cannot wait until their season starts in April. As a reporter, I'm excited at the chance to cover them and give them as much press as possible. My interactions with the U.S. Women's National Team have been nothing but the positive, and they are all more than willing to speak with the media. Stuff like that goes a long way for us media types. Needless to say, I hope WPS will be a smashing success for years to come.

******

On a sad note, I was hoping that Carli Lloyd, my favorite Jersey girl, would be traveling up I-95 to play for the Breakers. Alas, she was selected by Chicago, thus depriving me of the chance to see her play regularly.

Perhaps a mid-season trade to Boston could be orchestrated?

2007 FIFA Women's World Cup Running Diary: US 1, Nigeria 0

Waking up at more reasonable 7:30am for this one. Boy, is my awareness and cognizant skills much greater after 7:30am. Anyway, it looks like its another rainy affair in China, as the national anthems are being played. Which begs the question: does it always rain in China when the Swedish aren’t playing?

8:00am – Kickoff. Birds are already awake, the sun’s already up, and I’m munching on perhaps the greatest cereal created: Honey Comb (Now "better tasting!", according to the label. But it tasted fine before!)

1: Here come the funny musical tones in the background…

1: …and just like that, the USA score! Wow, that didn’t that long. Chalupney crashes the box, nutmegs a defender as she falls slides into the pitch and the ball goes into the goal. Clever, clever.

3: Sheesh, it’s only the 3rd minute and it looks like someone just killed the collective pets of the Nigerian coaches.

6: Shot of Carli Lloyd….I’d like to see her get on the scoresheet this game. She’s too good a player to not score in group play.

7: Nigeria’s already roughing up Abby…what else is new?

8: Highlights show Sweden up top 1-0 over North Korea right now. Wow…that could be an upset. And it’s sunny there…which just serves to fortify my claim that it’s always sunny when Sweden play.

10: It’s safe to say that US is clearly dominating this match

10: Nigeria tries to counter…but no counterattack for you! USA cuts off a quick Nigerian surge just yards after midfield

12: This game is looking a lot like the Brazil-USA game back at Giants Stadium back in June. Early goal, USA domination, imminent that another is on its way..

14: Free kick for Whitehill, initially headed away by Nigeria, and sparks a Nigerian counter before Hope Solo kicks the ball away.

14: Chalupney tackled hard…yellow card for Nigerians.

15: First ‘99 world cup reference by Foudy…that train is never late!

16: Shot of some young USA fans in the stands – hey girls, what the heck are you doing in China at 8:00am? Oh, yeah, you’re watching the WNT. My bad…

17: Update, Sweden still ahead 1-0 on The Deuce (espn2).

18: Lloyd hard tackled before the center circle…you leave her alone, Nigeria!

19: Good looking attack here...Chalupny tackled hard yet again…

20: It’s interesting (to me at least) that despite wearing the gold jerseys for nearly all their pre-WC matches, they have yet to bring ‘em out for the World Cup so far. Maybe waiting ‘til the final?

20: Lilly crosses to Abby, who just glances the ball wide. Thank you, for the verb choice Michael Davies. I also plan on using “pants” sometime soon.

22: Nigerian sub…wow…Nigeria’s really, really lost right now, their in a 4-5-1 to counter the US’s 4-3-3. Don’t they know they need like a gaggle of goals to advance?

23: JP Dellacamera suggests “picture in picture” to watch the USA-Nigeria and Sweden-North Korea simultaneously. Although your offer is a good one JP, my attention is solely focused on the US women.

24: Wow, how does Carli not get a PK for that? She crashed the box with a Nigerian defender tackling her from behind right in the box. Foudy says it’s a good call…free kick from before the box awarded instead. Lilly fires high and over the bar.

26: Highlights…North Korea draws even to Sweden…Argh!!!

26: Throw in for USA…the 4-5-1 is stifling the attack for now. Chalupny hits the deck. She’s getting the brunt of the Nigerian physicality.

27: Carli sets up for the free kick, but plays it short to Lilly. I’d like to see her wind up and fire one of her famous cannonball shots from 25 yards.

29: Just as Nigeria looks like its going to assemble the attack, a heavy pass goes past the touchline.

30: Foudy comments that Abby should not be lurking in the midfield, but rather more up front near the box. I concur.

32: Shot of Hope Solo: just noticed hope wearing the blue keeper jersey now, rather than he traditional green with the Nigerian team wearing their green kits. When I started typing that sentence, I honestly didn’t know why it was blue, but figured it out mid-sentence. I know – brilliant.

33: Nigeria make it interesting with a deep break into the US end..no shot though.

Side note: I was almost stunned to see the WNT gold jerseys at Olympia the other day. They had both white and gold, some blank, some with “Tarpley 5” and “Wambach 20”. Pretty cool to see some retail recognition.

35: Update – North Korea and Sweden still knotted at 1.

35:Though Nigeria is really overmatched on paper compared to the us, they are a fast team. I like how they play.

36: Rain starts to pick up, according to Dellacamera. Shot of Whitehill about to take a throw in backs that claim.

36 whoa…Abby heads the Whitehill throw in , Chalupny heads it goalward, and is just saved by the Nigerian keeper. Good save.

40: USA is back organizing the attack. Chalupney takes it down the left flank, crosses to Lilly – header into the pitch and left of the near post. Good try.

42: Number 2 on Nigeria laces a shot that forces hope to spring from her feet to corral.

43: Beautiful give and go between Lilly and Lloyd. Lilly then crosses to Abby, and heads the ball powerfully on net before Dede makes an acrobatic save just below the bar.

45: Ominous stat of the match – In World Cup play, us is 16-0-1 when leading at the half, while Nigeria is 0-9-1 when trailing.

45: 1 minute of stoppage

46 +: Boxxy manhandled near midfield. She’s ok. Whistle sounds.

HALFTIME

46: US kicks off…no changes/subs at halftime

46: Seconds later, Nigeria attacks early…gets into the box. Good defending by Christie Rampone.

48: WhitehIll looooong free kick..and Boxxy wants to bicycle kick it, but half-heartedly tries a scissors.

49: Dangerous free kick from the right flank for us…Lilly taking it and strikes it to the near post before O’Reilly tries to head it in, but no dice.

51: Whoa…number 14 for Nigeria just did a Matrix-like backward bend defending in the midfield. Wow.

52: Abby gets a long ball and shoots wide.

54: Foudy comments on the lack of urgency of the US attack…and I wholeheartedly agree. They’re better than this. Their defense has been great, but their offense is running on regular 87 octane rather than NASCAR-Standard 106 stuff. C’mon ladies!

57: O’Reilly pierces the Nigeria defense…CK coming up on the deflection…and CK parried by Dede.

60: Sweden takes 2-1 lead over North Korea. Wow!!! That could be huge

61: Nigeria really starting to test the US backline. Ladies, you’re better than this.

62: O’Reilly crosses to Abby on the doorstep, but can’t muster enough power to push it past Dede, who’s having an incredible match thus far.

64: Leslie Osborne for Carli…ok move, I guess, though I’d like to see Carli still in the game because of her attacking prowess.

69: Nigeria’s Faith Akidi goes down, she’s in a deal of pain. Hope she’s ok.

72: This game is taking the shape of a back and forth game, with both sides intermittently attacking, but no clear shots.

75: Nigeria attacks…Perpetua Nkwocha takes Whitehill to school on the right wing, before sending a shot just wide of the far post.

76: Lilly takes a free kick just above the D of the box. The ball hovers high above the bar.

77: Tina Ellarton in for Christie Rampone.

80: Nigeria attacking again…holding the ball fairly well, but not really penetrating. Ball goes by the touchline, and now USA takes it back. Heavy passes are killing Nigeria.

82: Chalupny tired to dance into the box, but the ball is stonewalled by Dede.

84: Lindsay Tarpley for Lilly. This is Tarpley’s first World Cup appearance.

85: Dangerous play in front of US goal. A mad scramble takes place on Solo’s doorstep, and luckily, she smothers the ball. US looking sloppy on defense.

87: Hope smothers another low-caliber cross. There’s no way the US should be pinned against the wall this late. Nigeria is attacking almost at will.

88: Chalupney takes a hard shot on Dede, saved as she fell backward. Nigeria quickly clears it away.

90: USA just playing the ball deep in the corner to kill the clock. Foudy commenting on how she doesn’t like this tactic. Nor do I…Wow, did I just agree with Julie Foudy three times this morning? I must really need some coffee!

91+ :USA corner kick. 3 minutes of stoppage time.

91+: Abby down, but thankfully gets back up, but goes back to stalling in the corner. Not a good idea.

94+: Nigeria attacks, Hope pounces on a Nigerian shot. Referee whistles the game over. 1-0 US.

Lloyd shines in 1-0 victory

The match began conspicuously enough twenty seconds in when midfielder Carli Lloyd took a feed from Lindsay Tarpley, skirted past a defender, and pushed a shot that sailed high over the crossbar. The shot served more as a warning to Norway, rather than a notice, that Lloyd was in top form, as she wreaked havoc for defenders anytime she entered the vicinity of the goal posts. So it was no surprise that it was Lloyd who scored what ultimately proved to be the lone goal of the match during the 66th minute.

“Lil had an unbelievable cross, and no one (on Norway) was really paying attention, and I found the ball, and made sure it went in.”

But it appeared throughout the early-evening that, after being on the short-end of a few near-misses, it was only a matter of time before the Jersey girl would find the back of the net again. Rather than wallow in praise, the midfielder humbly downplayed the deciding goal.

“I don’t play for the goals - I play to help my team win,” said Lloyd. “It’s not just about my shot, I can pass the ball, I can dribble, and I try to be that complete player. If I end up with a goal, it’s an added bonus.”

A complete player is exactly what Lloyd displayed Saturday evening. When she wasn’t on the front lines putting the ball on net, she was skillfully taking good touches, moving the ball forward, and distributing with a marksman’s accuracy versus a Norwegian team that clearly struggled to contain her.

“Today, it was great, and we happened to win. Norway’s a great team and we played great, and we ended up with a good result," remarked Lloyd after the match.

Surprisingly, it was her first goal since her breakthrough Algarve Cup performance back in March, when she horded four goals in four matches en route to the National Team's capture of the Cup, and earning tournament MVP honors. Since her incredible showing back in Portugal, the well had appeared to have run dry for the flashy midfielder in recent matches.

However, a series of matches does not make a player, as Greg Ryan named Lloyd as one of his chosen players going to China in September days prior to the match. With her all-around performance on Saturday, it’s no wonder that Ryan decided to bring her aboard for the trip to China.

“It’s a dream come true,” Lloyd said of being named to the World Cup roster. “This is what you train for…all of the hard training and fitness, this is what it’s all about. Bringing home that world championship will be the best thing.”

U.S. WNT cap "Kristine Lilly Day" with a 1-0 win over Norway

On a date dubbed “Kristine Lilly Day” by Connecticut governor M. Jodi Rell, the U.S. Women’s National Team capped the festivities for the hometown star with a 1-0 victory over a pesky Norway squad Saturday evening at Rentschler Field.

Almost according to script, the match kicked off with the U.S. immediately grabbing Norway by the horns less than thirty seconds into the contest, when Lindsey Tarpley delivered a nice ball to Carli Lloyd inside the box. Lloyd then went full bore toward the Norway net before sending a high shot that glided over the crossbar, which put the Norwegians on notice before the match clock reached one minute.

Minutes later, Abby Wambach hunted down a ball lackadaisically handled by Marit Christensen and Siri Nordby deep within their own territory. Wambach pounced on the ball and crashed the box before tapping the shot toward keeper Christine Nilsen, who made the save.
While the Americans took charge of the match during the first ten minutes of action, possession began to draw even around the 19th minute, as Norway began to organize its attack after a slow start.

Nearing the midway point of the first half, the Americans had staged a handful of quality chances to break through with the first goal of the game. One such chance came when Tarpley took the ball toward the outer edge of the box and launched a bending shot that just barely missed the far post in the 21st minute.

The Americans threatened again in the 33rd minute, when Lilly air-mailed a beautiful ball toward Lloyd, who was stationed at the top of the box. Lloyd took one touch, loaded up, and fired a cracking shot that went wide of the right post, as the squad yet again narrowly missed on the opening goal.

The mirage of a potential game-breaker was reappeared once again in the 35th minute, when Nilsen made a potentially fatal mistake when she haphazardly trotted up toward the top edge of the box to play a dangerous ball. Tarpley immediately recognized the blunder, and proceeded to pick pocket Nilsen of the ball. The athletic forward and blew right past the helpless keeper, en route to a clear shot on goal before defender Ane Horpestad headed the ball away from net.

With the match surprisingly still even entering the second half, U.S. manager Greg Ryan inserted shifty forward Natasha Kai for Tarpley in an attempt to reinvigorate an attack that had been continually frustrated by a series of near misses.

Lilly tried to spark the attack by taking matters in her own hands in the 52nd minute, when she danced into the teeth of the Norwegian back line. The hometown hero then proceeded to shake her defender with a quick spin and turned toward goal before her shot was suffocated by two defenders.

As the proceedings reached the hour mark, and with the potent American attack continually stifled by Norway’s entrenched defenders, it appeared the best team in the world would have to dig just a bit deeper to if they were to finally break through.

With shovel firmly in hand, the U.S. did just that and dug deep off a set piece from the corner, as Lilly took a short pass off the corner from Kai, then crossed and outswinger from the right toward Lloyd, who positioned herself perfectly on the welcome mat of the Norway goal. Lloyd leaned forward and cleverly headed the ball well out of the reach of Nilsen for the goal, sending the home crowd of 9,957 into delirium.

Opening goal finally achieved, the Americans attempted to clamp down on their defending in order to protect the lead. However, the Norwegians did not go quietly into the night. In the 83rd minute, Norway’s Melissa Wiik raced deep into the American half and sent a deflected shot directly in the path of teammate Solveig Gulbrandsen, who tested keeper Hope Solo with tapped shot that was safely cradled out harm’s way.

Undeterred, the Norwegians attempted to locate the equalizer in the 88th minute off a corner kick, when Nordby sent a low cross into the mixer that was thumped away by Cat Whitehill before it reached its intended destination. Seconds later, Whitehill once again cleared out another menacing Norwegian pass in the vicinity of the box, thus safeguarding the 1-0 shutout win for the Americans.

Sunday Morning Striker: Revs Extinguish Fire, 3-1

The Revs returned to the friendly synthetic confines of Gillette Stadium Sunday afternoon and avenged their season-opening loss to Chicago by beating them handily the second time around, 3-1.

The match pitted 2nd place Chicago and 4th place New England, with no more than two points separating the spots in the Eastern Conference standings.

The early concern before the match even started was whether the Revs could adequately fill the hole left by Shalrie Joseph, who was suspended for the match after receiving a red card vs. DC on Thursday.

Some wondered whether manager Steve Nicol would tailor his usual 3-5-2 alignment to a 4-4-2 in order to compensate for the loss of Joseph. The gaffer was undeterred though, and the Revs went with the customary 3-5-2, inserting Michael Parkhurst in Joseph's role.

Early on in the match, it appeared that neither club was capable of making up its own mind on the attack. The ball squirted into both club’s boxes, but neither side applied the necessary pressure to make either Matt Pickens or his counterpart Matt Reis break a sweat.

Then, at 5:19pm ET, Steve Ralston airmailed a beautiful corner kick into the beehive, and the ball fortuitously found an airborne Jeff Larentowicz, who knocked home the opening goal for the Revs in the 16th minute, giving the home team an early 1-0 lead.

Another chance for the Revs came less than three minutes later, when Khano Smith streaked down the left wing, and slalomed two defenders before putting on a wicked shot that just hit the side of the net.

In the 27th minute, the best the Fire had managed on attack was a Wade Barrett rifle shot that Matt Reis cleanly batted away, depriving Barrett of the equalizer.

In the 31st minute, Diego Gutierrez delivered an inswinger off a corner kick into the Revolution box that was robustly punched out of harm’s way Reis. The Revs spearheaded a counter attack immediately after the ball was cleared, and marched downfield just before Ivan Guerrero eventually snuffed out the Revolution advancement.

Chicago tried its best to equalize before the conclusion of the first frame. The Fire found themselves in good position to achieve said equalizer on a corner kick in the 45th minute, to which the Revs cleared away from the 6-yard box. But Chicago midfielder Chris Rolfe, standing just outside the box, intercepted the ball and quickly fired a shot past Reis for the tying goal in the final minutes of the first half.

The battle for second place in the Eastern Conference standings resumed minutes later, and the Revs came out like an army of attacking fire ants in the second half. The local eleven displayed an especially spirited attack, with Ralston, Adam Cristman, and Andy Dorman all playing major roles.

In the 54th minute, Ralston and Taylor Twellman attempted to rehash their goal-scoring sequence in Frisco a week previous, when Ralston sent in a pass that Twellman volleyed right on goal. Unfortunately, the beautiful scene was interrupted when Pickens hauled in the shot.

At 6:32pm ET, Larentowicz sent a pass to Smith down the left wing, and the Bermudan delivered in a beautiful ball into the box right to Ralston to put the home club up 2-1 in the 68th minute.

In the 81st minute, Wells Thompson was inserted as a sub for Dorman. The move proved to be prescient on the part of Nicol, for less than minutes later, at 6:46pm ET, the rookie completely faked out a helpless Guerrero and laced a shot beyond the reach of Pickens, giving the Revs the eventual 3-1 result.

With the win, the Revs vaulted from 4th place to 2nd place (tied with New York) in a span of one hour and fifty-eight minutes. They currently sit a mere one point behind Kansas City for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Sweet Play of the Match: The score line may simply read "NE - Jeff Larentowicz (Steve Ralston) 16", but the goal was a thing of beauty. The corner kick from Ralston screamed into the box through a few white shirts, before the ball was re-routed off the heel of Larentowicz, who had positioned himself perfectly directly square with the goalmouth. The Ivy Leaguer then proceeded to redirect the trajectory of the ball past Pickens with a karate kick flick. To make the play even more cinematic, Larentowicz had his back nearly parallel to the ground, a la The Matrix.

Sour Play of the Match: The Steve Ralston goal in the 68th was sweet for Revs fans, and extremely sour for Fire fans. The sequence began with a Larentowicz pass to Khano Smith, who strolled down the left wing before sending the feed to Ralston, who banged home the goal. However, the ball was able to find Ralston completely unimpeded because at least three Fire defenders (SMS counted) stood there just looking at the ball and doing nothing, seemingly content in the role of spectator rather than participant.

Maybe he's running a marathon? Khano Smith unveiled what can be described as a "mohawk-esque" hairstyle in front of the 9,508 announced crowd. Revs commentators Brad Feldman and Greg Lalas speculated on the actual classification of the ‘do. SMS recalls that P. Diddy sported a similar style in training to run the New York Marathon back in 2003. Whichever the case, it seems to have worked, as Smith had a particularly good match which saw him open up the left side of the Revolution attack many times. Additionally, SMS is dubbing Smith’s look as the “the Diddy.”

And then there were no bright neon boots: Twellman dropped the flourescent footwear for the club's 2nd home game of the season, and did not score. This correlation between fashion and performance is critical to an insider's understanding of the game. However, SMS has no idea what the implications are.

Stat of the Match, Part 1: Jeff Larentowicz became only the 2nd American-born player on the squad to score a goal for the Revs this year. Twellman has scored four, while Dorman (England) has scored 3 and Joseph (Grenada) 1.

Stat of the Match, Part 2: Before giving up the Chicago goal in the 45th minute, the Revs had not allowed a goal off a corner kick since 2006.

Stat of the Match, Part 3: The first two goals of the match were scored off of corner kicks.

Stat of the Match, Part 4: Steve Ralston had a hand in every Revolution goal Sunday, assisting on the first and last, and scoring himself in the 68th minute

Stat of the Match, Part 5: Ralston tied the all-time MLS career appearance mark on Sunday with his 317th MLS game played, and also moved into a 2nd place tie for career assists with 112.

Stat of the Match, Part 6: Wells Thompson became the first Revolution rookie to score a goal during his first MLS season since 2005, when fellow Wake Forest alum James Riley (2005 SuperDraft, 2nd Rd.) scored a goal against New York on September 24, 2005.

Stat of the Match, Part 7: Stretching back to last season (August 20, 2006 vs. Chicago 0-1), the Revs have been unbeaten in their last nine home games (7-0-2).

What's in your wallet? The MLS players union released salary figures for the first time Friday. Among the Revolution figures, it’s no surprise that Twellman makes the most ($325,000 annually), while many of the rookies make the least amount.

Perhaps the most notable salary figures are between Wells Thompson ($30,000 guaranteed) and Amaechi Igwe ($78,000 guaranteed). Thompson was the first Revs pick during 2007 SuperDraft, while Igwe was the 2nd pick. Rarely do later picks get higher compensation than those selected ahead of them, and SMS can only surmise that this is primarily due to Igwe's status as a member of MLS's Generation adidas program.

Imagine the concept on the NFL scale: Justise Hairston, a 2007 Patriots 6th round pick, earning a fatter contract than first rounder Brandon Meriweather. Somehow, SMS posits that super-agent Drew Rosenhaus would have a hand in such a situation.

Of course, the most disconcerting aspect of the list is a large contingent of players making close to the US poverty line ($9,800 for single-person unit in 2004, according to the Federal Register). Many of these players are college-educated gentlemen who could certainly stand to earn thousands more if they had gone into the "real world” utilizing their college degrees. Instead, they bypass the promise of much greater riches in the business world to follow their dream of playing professional soccer.

Truly, these are players who genuinely play for the love of the game. Next time you hear an NFL star, or MLB slugger speak on their love of the game, give him a Revs rookie paycheck, and ask him to reiterate his supposed love of the game.

Finally, how often do we, the sports viewing public, hear about a pro athlete who has been "insulted" by a multi-million dollar contract offer? Conversely, how many times have we heard the same from MLS rookies, who often make millions less than their spoiled counterparts in the NFL? To quote Stan Lee, creator of numerous comic book characters like Spider Man and X-Men, "Nuff said."

A tip of SMS's “The Franchise” fitted cap goes out to each of the Revs rookies who pursue their dream as a pro soccer player here in the States. The soccer gods surely smile upon you efforts.

Double duty calls: After the match, both Wells Thompson and Joey Franchino were rewarded by their fine play in the first team match by acquiring additional match time in the reserve league tilt vs. Chicago reserves. Thompson was clearly the class of the field, and cartoonishly faked out Fire midfielder Floyd Franks, who fell to the ground in amazement, as Thompson blazed through the right wing before launching an errant shot. SMS proffers that this additional time on the pitch will greatly benefit Wellsie and the club as a whole, as he has already turned some heads early on in the season.

Live from the press box: This was the first game in which SMS took his place up on high in the presence of soccer heralds in the confines of the Gillette Stadium press box. SMS was impressed by the spectacular view offered by the perch, and was even more impressed by the plate of large oatmeal raisin cookies. SMS publicly sends his compliments to the chef.

Prospective Mrs. SMS candidates, take note: the way to SMS's heart is through delicious baked goods - so long as they are not the much-feared failure cookies SMS wrote about last year.

Is the Revolution becoming a staunch liberal? SMS observed that much of the New England attack was geared toward the left, with Smith matched up against one of the better defenders in the league in Dasan Robinson. SMS notes that Smith, who usually cuts wide on the wing, instead streaked inside more often than not. SMS was extremely pleased with Smith's performance, and the club's overall emphasis on the left vs. Chicago should be encouraging for any Revolution fan.

Random observation of the match: With a bird's eye view of the Stadium, SMS noticed that the graphic panel within the Gillette lighthouse flashes yellow when – get this- a yellow card was issued to CJ Brown in the 37th minute. SMS has attended numerous soccer matches at Gillette, and had not once noticed the corresponding graphics when cards were issued. In the future, SMS will be more mindful to the lighthouse graphics at key junctures within a match, and report on his findings.

US Women’s National Team Player feature: Carli Lloyd grew up in New Jersey, and before this year's Algarve Cup, had tallied only one goal in her previous 24 matches before catching a goal-scoring fever, when she scored four in four matches during said tournament. In addition to her goal-scoring prowess, she is also an “excellent shopper.” Guys - have your credit cards ready! According to her ussoccer.com bio, Lloyd is also a fan of golf, and lists her most memorable soccer moment as her first cap for the US squad vs. Ukraine in 2005.

Join us after the LA Galaxy match on Saturday night, to which SMS will timidly abandon the spiral notebook in favor of his newly-arrived Dell Latitude X300 Centrino laptop to type, rather than pen, his thoughts as the game takes place. With the 10:30pm ET start time, SMS is concerned about the prospects of a live feed on Cox 3 in Rhode Island.

Chances of live broadcast in RI: 50%, as Cox 3 typically shows Channel 7 News between the 10-11pm timeslot on weeknights.

Interview with US WNT Midfielder Carli Lloyd

The US Women’s National Team will arrive in Foxboro this week for its upcoming international friendly vs. Mexico on Saturday afternoon. The squad, who remain unbeaten in regulation time in 39 consecutive matches, was recently awarded the number one spot in the FIFA Women’s World rankings.

Saturday’s match will mark the first in a series of friendlies and send-off matches during the coming months in preparation for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China, which will take place in September.

While the team was flawless in last month’s Algarve Cup (4-0-0), one player who unquestionably made a name for herself during the tournament was midfielder Carli Lloyd. The 24-year-old New Jersey native, previously held to one goal in 24 caps, went on a goal-scoring rampage by tallying four goals in four games, helping her team capture its fifth Algarve Cup title, and in the process, earning herself the tournament’s Top Scorer and MVP awards.

In anticipation of her first game action since last month’s remarkable performance, I posed a few questions to the acclaimed midfielder.

BRIAN: Is the mental approach different with respect to these friendlies different than the approach taken toward major tournaments like the recent Algarve Cup?

CARLI: “Not in my eyes, because I prepare for every game like it’s an important game. At tournaments, you know that you are playing to win a group, or the tournament, and maybe have several games over a period of days, but the approach to the individual games should not change.”

BRIAN: During your second career game with the US WNT, you broke your wrist vs. this Mexican team. Will that incident enter your mind at all when facing them again on Saturday?

CARLI: “We’ve played Mexico a few times since then so it won’t cross my mind. When it happened, I just wanted to hit that shot so hard that I lost my balance. I think I hit a few birds in the trees behind the goal. It was just a fluke thing, but it sure hurt.”

BRIAN: You had one career goal prior to the Algarve Cup, then scored four in the course of four games during the tournament. How are you able to explain the sudden flurry of goals?

CARLI: “I wasn’t doing anything different to prepare for the Algarve Cup. I’m kind of young and new to the team and it just took a little time getting used to the speed of the play and the whole National Team environment. It takes everyone different amounts of time to adjust and to break through. I had confidence in myself and stayed focused, and kept working hard, and I felt that I would find success scoring at some point, hopefully sooner than later. Now, I just have to keep it going.”

BRIAN: Besides the World Cup, which international tournament is the most exciting to you and your teammates?

CARLI: “I haven’t played in that many tournaments, but the CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament last fall was pretty exciting. I just remember the way I felt, I was a bit nervous, and it was a big deal. We had to qualify for the World Cup, then play for the regional title. We also like the Algarve Cup because of the level of competition.”

BRIAN: The team was recently given the number 1 ranking in the world by FIFA. Do you think that ranking kind of puts a bull’s eye on the team as opponents now have that extra incentive to beat the best team in the world?

CARLI: “I think it does, but even if we were not ranked number one we would still be the team everyone wants to beat. It’s always difficult for the USA. Teams are getting better, the competition is tougher and everyone wants to take us down. As a country, around the world, everyone wants to beat America in every sport, but we like that challenge.”

BRIAN: Given the recent news of the WUSA's return next year, how excited are you about the prospect of a top tier women's professional league returning to the scene?

CARLI: “I think it’s really exciting, especially for all the players who don’t have the opportunity to play for the National Team right now. For young kids to be able to watch a women’s league can only continue to increase the popularity of the women’s soccer and we can continued to serve as good role models. It will also create opportunities for new players to play for the National Team, which will only make us stronger. I am especially excited as I didn’t get a chance to play in the WUSA.”

US Women's National Team Head to Foxboro

Fresh off the capture of their fifth Algarve Cup, the US Women’s National Team will arrive in Foxboro this week in preparation for its match vs. Mexico on Saturday afternoon. The team, which was recently awarded the number 1 spot in the FIFA World rankings after their success in Portugal, will be playing a series of friendlies and send-offs during the coming months, all in preparation for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China, taking place from September 10-30.

Saturday will mark the first time the club has played in Foxboro-area in over three years. The last time the club graced the now-absent Gillette Field grass was October 1, 2003, when they defeated Poland 1-0 during the Women's World Cup quarterfinals at Gillette Stadium.

For those of you unfamiliar with some of the players, here's who to watch for come Saturday.

Carli Lloyd: Perhaps the player who achieved the most individual success during the Algarve Cup tournament, Lloyd, who was previously held to one goal in 24 caps, went on a goal-scoring heist, tallying four goals in four games, making her one of the most dangerous players on the US side.

Aly Wagner: One of the most skilled players on the squad, Ally has been a consistent performer since her arrival in 1999, after having witnessed the success of Pasadena. The 26-year-old midfielder recently tallied her 100th cap in a friendly vs. Canada on July 30, 2006. The creative 111-cap midfielder has been an integral part of the team’s successes since their USA ’99 coming out party, and continues to help anchor one of the best midfields in the world.

Hope Solo: The heir apparent to legendary WNT keeper Briana Scurry, Solo has performed remarkably well during the past two seasons, including a ridiculous 1,054 minute goal-less streak set back in 2006. Additionally, she had a particularly impressive Four Nations tourney back in January, in which she was named Best Goalkeeper after allowing only one goal. Nevertheless, trying to fill the shoes of Scurry is a monumental task - a task that Solo has proven she can undertake.

Kristine Lilly: Talk about longevity and consistency and you are bound to mention the name. The crafty vet only seems to get better with age, as the club captain recently notched career goal number 119 during the Algarve Cup proceedings. A native New Englander (Wilton, CT), Lilly also starred for the Boston Breakers during the initial incarnation of the WUSA from 2001-2003.She is also one of the last key members of the '99 WC-winning squad that still currently playing.

Abby Wambach: Perhaps one of the best players in the world, Wambach has scored an astonishing 68 goals in 88 career caps with the WNT. Her best year came in 2004, when she not only scored 31 total goals, but scored the game-winner in extra time vs. Brazil during the gold medal game in during the 2004 Summer Olympics. She was named was named U.S. Soccer's Female Player of the Year for 2003.

Additionally, the club is guided by manager Greg Ryan, who has yet to lose in regulation since taking over as gaffer in 2005.

Granted, this is not the same legendary team led by Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Michelle Akers that throngs of the sports-viewing public became so familiar with after their amazing 1999 World Cup triumph. But don't be fooled; although many of the "name" players have retired, this squad is not only supremely talented, but collectively young enough to where its success can be forecasted for years to come as well.

The WNT match vs. Mexico, which will kick off at 5:00pm, is the first game of a soccer doubleheader taking place at Gillette Saturday. In what promises to be an eventful evening filled with top-notch soccer all being played on the same turf, the Revolution will continue the festivities by squaring off against MLS-expansion team Toronto FC at 7:30pm.