Let the Games Begin

The U.S. team held its final practice before the opening of the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup and it was a high-spirited if light affair, lasting just an hour and 15 minutes, counting warm-down. At the end of training, the U.S. team played a game where they form a big circle and toss a soccer ball in the air. Each player on the team has to touch it once with their feet or head, keeping it up in the air until all 21 players have touched the ball. A good omen? The team got it on the first try, with goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart getting the last touch to rousing applause.