Celebration Dinner

On Sunday night, the U.S. team and staff went out to an big Italian dinner as the final 22 players celebrated getting one step closer to the Olympics. There is always a feeling of relief and euphoria when major roster deadlines are passed, although the final group has one more hurdle before Pia Sundhage names the 18 players who will represent the USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. While the players certainly feel for those who did not make it this far, everyone knows the competition for roster spots is always intense and there are only 18 players for the Olympics. So, those who did make it let loose a little steam on Sunday night and gorged on appetizers, salads and pasta. They even helped sing a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday for a group of teenage volleyball players sitting at the next table (several of whom could not quite believe the U.S. Women's Soccer Team had walked in and sat down right next to them). The players will keep up their training and fitness this week on their own before the loooooooooong flight to Seoul next weekend.