Three Breakers On Algarve Cup Roster

Hucles, Mitts and A-Rod Named to Team

February 6, 2009

CHICAGO – Three Boston Breakers were named to the US Women’s National Team’s roster for the 2009 Algarve Cup.

Defender Heather Mitts and forwards Angela Hucles and Amy Rodriquez were among the 18 players named by head coach Pia Sundhage to participate in next month’s tournament, held March 4-11 in southern Portugal.

Amy Rodriguez

Amy Rodriguez (center) with Boston Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco and WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci. (Photo courtesy of the Boston Breakers)

The United States has won the past two Algarve Cups and five of the last six. This year, the Americans have been placed into Group B and will open play on March 4 against Denmark, before facing Iceland on March 6 and finishing against Norway on March 9.

“The Algarve Cup is always an important tournament and is especially good for the U.S. as we get to play the top European countries,” said Sundhage. “We will not play as many matches this year as we did in 2008, so these games are important to keep the team evolving, in defending but especially in the attack. These games will test our ability to play our style while developing a rhythm that helps make our attack unpredictable and involves a lot of different players and positions. Of course, we are bringing some young players to the tournament this year and it will be great to get them some experience in these kinds of games.”

This will be the 14th trip to the Algarve Cup for the U.S. women who have won the tournament six times, including three straight championships from 2003-2005.. The USA defeated Denmark in the last two Algarve Cup Finals, winning 2-0 in 2007 on goals from Kristine Lilly and Carli Lloyd and 2-1 in 2008 on goals from Natasha Kai and Abby Wambach.

The U.S. roster features 13 players from the 2008 Olympic gold medal champions, including three-fourths of the starting back line. With Kate Markgraf pregnant, Olympian Rachel Buehler and uncapped Kendall Fletcher will compete for playing time, although Shannon Boxx also trained at center back during the recently completed camp.

With forward Wambach not quite game-ready as she nears the end of her comeback from a broken leg, the striking responsibilities will fall to Kai, the USA’s leading scorer last year with 15 goals..

UCLA’s Tina DiMartino also made the squad. Martino is the sister of Boston College standout Gina DiMartino.

United States Women's National Team 2009 Algarve Cup Roster

GOALKEEPERS (2): Nicole Barnhart (3) (FC Gold Pride), Hope Solo (6) (St. Louis Athletica);

DEFENDERS (5): Rachel Buehler (2) (FC Gold Pride), Lori Chalupny (6) (St. Louis Athletica), Kendall Fletcher (1) (Los Angeles Sol), Heather Mitts (5) (Boston Breakers), Christie Rampone (9) (Sky Blue FC);

MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx (6) (Los Angeles Sol), Tina DiMartino (1) (FC Gold Pride), Carli Lloyd (4) (Chicago Red Stars), Heather O’Reilly (7) (Sky Blue FC), Lindsay Tarpley (7) (Chicago Red Stars), Kacey White (1) (Sky Blue FC), Angie Woznuk (2) (St. Louis Athletica);

FORWARDS (4): Angela Hucles (5) (Boston Breakers), Natasha Kai (4) (Sky Blue FC), Megan Rapinoe (1) (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (4) (Boston Breakers).

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