Not Cool

We apologize in advance for having to post this entry as it’s not interesting, fun or amusing like almost every other scribble we drop in when we’re with the WNT, but it’s something we need to address.

Since we started the WNT Blog, we’ve encouraged our readers to comment on entries and interact with us and the players, and 99.9 percent of the people add comments that are respectful, but it’s always that .1 percent that tries to ruin it for the rest, right? At times certain people have sent inappropriate comments, which we obviously have deleted before they can see the light of day. Now, this is a free country, but the Blog was set up so fans can follow the WNT on its travels around the USA and the world, to give some more insight into the goings on and the personalities of the team and to give fans a medium to be more interactive with ussoccer.com. It was not intended to simply allow for anyone at a computer to post derogatory comments.

So, anyone out there thinking of writing something over the line, think twice before you do it for two reasons: 1) No one will ever see it anyway as we control which comments are made visible on the blog, which means you're just wasting your time, and 2) some comments are not simply unwelcome, but arguably illegal. We are working with authorities who will take the necessary action to uncover the individuals who continue to write such comments. You can only hide behind anonymous blog postings for so long.

So, in short, please leave the blog and postings for those who enjoy them and use the site correctly. We are not saying you can’t post a strong opinion, positive or negative, please do, but keep it in the realm of free speech. Or if you continue to post, please be brave enough to include your contact phone number and email so we can have a follow up discussion.

Too Easy

We asked you to name the eight players in WNT camp who had won a Women's World Cup, and yeah, that trivia question was a bit too easy. Credit goes to "F#3" who correctly pegged the great eight.

Christie Rampone - 1999 FIFA WWC
Rachel Buehler - 2002 FIFA U-19 WWC
Lindsey Tarpley - 2002 FIFA U-19 WWC
Heather O'Reilly - 2002 FIFA U-19 WWC
Lori Chalupny - 2002 FIFA U-19 WWC
Angie Woznuk - 2002 FIFA U-19 WWC
Kendall Fletcher - 2002 FIFA U-19 WWC
Christine Nairn -- 2008 FIFA U-20 WWC

We'll try to come up with something more challenging next time, but for now, we present your WWC champs:

(L to R) Woznuk, Buehler, Nairn, Fletcher, Rampone, Tarpley, Chalupny. (Front) O'Reilly

Guest Player

The 25-player U.S. Women's National Team training camp roster featured a "+1" today as midfielder Leslie Osborne pulled on national team training gear for the first time since she tore the ACL in her left knee last May, causing her to miss the 2008 Olympics. Osborne is one of the U.S. team's favorite teammates, whose work ethic and positivity always contributes greatly to team chemistry. Osborne, who also had reconstructive surgery on her left ankle to clear up long-lingering issues in the joint, has joined the U.S. team mid-camp to do some light work, but is not allowed in any contact drills. Osborne looked very good, striking balls and going through passing drills, but will take her time getting back to full fitness after the two major surgeries. The light training, which just featured passing patterns and a soccer tennis tournament, came to a rousing end as Osborne was re-instituted to her old job of bringing the team together in a huddle for the end of practice ritual to shout "Team on three! 1,23...Team!" (See above).

"It was a pretty exciting day for me on a lot of different levels," said the 25-year-old Osborne, who has 60 caps for the USA. "It's been along seven and a half months. It's gone by pretty quickly, but still it's been a long time to be out and it's been a lot of hard work. Just to be around my teammates today, I was smiling the whole practice. It makes me appreciate it a lot more and I am excited to get back."

Welcome Back Leslie!

Pia at The House of Blues

It's pretty well known now that U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage is cool. Heck, she's European, plays guitar, sings, guides teams to gold medals, and in her spare time, goes to rock shows. Well, not a lot of rock shows, but with an evening off last night, she and asst. coach Amanda Cromwell headed south to Anaheim to see O.A.R. at the House of Blues. Sundhage, whose musical tastes run more to folk and classic rock, enjoyed the show and the atmosphere. Will the U.S. players soon be treated to a rendition of "Crazy Game of Poker"? We shall see.

Fear the Anteater

Of the top 40 or so players in the U.S. Women's National Team Player Pool, just one is a full-time assistant coach for a Division I school. That would be defender Kendall Fletcher, who has been the asst. coach for two seasons at UC Irvine in California. Drafted by the Los Angeles Sol in the new WPS, she will continue her duties at UCI, which is only about 40 minutes down the freeway from The Home Depot Center, where the Sol will play its home games. Fletcher, who is from Cary, N.C., and played her college soccer at UNC, helping the Tar Heels to the 2003 NCAA title, has traveled a long way for her first coaching gig.

"After working summer camps at Carolina, I knew I wanted to coach after I graduated. I just loved it," said Fletcher. "It was a way to keep me around the game after college and without a pro league. I was lucky enough to have (UCLA head coach and U.S. WNT asst.) Jill Ellis recommend me to Scott Juniper, the head coach at UCI and I applied. I interviewed for the job and I think I fit what he was looking for."

Fletcher says that it's been a smooth transition from player to coach, and she has really enjoyed her two seasons so far.

"It's been very fulfilling to be able share my experience in the game with younger players. I've really enjoyed working in a new environment on the West Coast and I feel I've grown a lot as both a coach as a player. I can't wait to see what the coming years bring as far as my continued growth as a coach and our continued growth as a program."

Fletcher, who won a U-19 Women's World Cup with the USA in 2002, was a top college player during her four years and was a top pick of the Sol, is certainly a great role model as a player and person for the young UC Irvine Anteaters.

"I've benefited from playing for some great coaches in the past and I really enjoy watching players develop. I want to pass on to our players the knowledge I've gained from these great coaches as well as my passion for the game."

Who Has Won a WWC?

The 25-player U.S. roster during this current training camp is chock full of players who own an Olympic gold medal, but there are just eight who have won a Women's World Cup. Can you name them? We'd give a few hints, but we don't think you need them, although a bit or research may be required. Answer later in the week or when someone gets it right.

Rookie Featured

Masar, second from left, suits up for Team Strommen in the Norway First Division

We hope you took a few minutes to read this unique ussoccer.com feature on WNT rookie Ella Masar, and if you did, you'd learn that she scored a goal in the Norwegian Cup Final last year. Through the magic of YouTube, you can see it here. In another interesting sidenote, prior to last summer's U-23 Nordic Cup, a friend of Masar's brother bet him $1,000 that she couldn't score two goals in an international match. Sure enough, she scored twice against the Germans in the championship game. Her brother got the cash and Masar says that for the next wager, she's getting a commission.