USL at the Women's World Cup >>
USL News Release
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
TAMPA, FL – Former W-League players have been in action recently for the US, Canada, England, Japan, New Zealand and Australia in preparation for the 2007 Women’s World Cup in China. The most surprising of the warm-up contests has been the Australians, who defeated host and perennial world power China twice on their own soil in the past month.
In a span of three days, the Matildas shocked China 3-2 and 3-1 with the first result coming with the experienced trio of Melissa Barbieri, Joanne Peters (Charlotte 2002) and Cheryl Salisbury (Memphis 2002) not in the starting lineup. Salisbury, the all-time team leader in appearances and goals was the lone player of the three to enter late in the match in which former W-League players Emma Wirkus (Asheville 2002), Thea Slatyer (Washington 2006), Danielle Small (Jackson 1999) and Caitlin Munoz (Boston 2004) saw action.
Kate McShea and Lisa DeVanna scored in the 22nd and 28th minutes to give the guests the early 2-0 lead, but China rallied with two in the second half to level the terms before Sarah Walsh netted the game-winner seven minutes from time on August 17. Full Report [+]
Two nights later in front of 52,000 at Tianjin’s Olympic Center Stadium, the Matildas proved it was no fluke. Heather Garriock put the visitors on the board first again with a strike 12 minutes in and former Boston Renegade Caitlin Munoz doubled the lead in the 34th. Collette McCallum put the match out of reach six minutes into the second half with China notching a late consolation goal in the 90th. Full Report [+]
China would rebound from the defeats to top England on August 26 1-0 on a 45th minute goal by Zhang Tong. In action for England were former W-League players Kelly Smith (New Jersey 2004), Faye White (Ottawa 2007) and Rachel Yankey (New Jersey 2005). Full Report [+]
On August 30 Canada played Japan to a scoreless draw in Tokyo. Vancouver Whitecaps Andrea Neil tied USL Hall of Famer Charmaine Hooper in Canadian Women’s All-Time appearances with her 130th that night. Former Whitecap Christine Sinclair also hit the century mark in appearances. Canada nearly won the match on a header from former Atlanta Silverback Melissa Tancredi only to see the referee waive it off. Full Report [+]
On August 25 Ghana downed South Africa 1-0 on a goal from teenager Anita Amankwah, who along with veteran Black Queen and former Northern Virginia Majestic star Adjoa Bayor took over the game in the second half. Full Report [+]
The US has been one of the busier teams preparing for the tournament. The Americans downed Finland in their final send-off match at the Home Depot Center August 25. Former W-League players provided all four goals with Shannon Boxx (Boston 1999), Kristine Lilly (Delaware 1998), Lindsey Tarpley (New Jersey 2005) and Heather O’Reilly (New Jersey 2005) finding the back of the net. Full Report [+]
They trounced World Cup bound New Zealand a few weeks prior on August 12 in Chicago by the score of 6-1. Abby Wambach, who made her W-League debut as a teenager with Rochester, tallied two goals and an assist in the match. W-Leaguers Lilley and Tarpley also scored along with former New Jersey Wildcat Carli Lloyd, who had two on the night. On the other side of the pitch, Priscilla Duncan (West Michigan 2006) and Emma Humphries (Cocoa 2006) both started for the New Zealanders. Full Report [+]
It was a busy year for the US, who also played in the Algarve Cup in Portugal and Four Nations Tournament in China. They head to China with a 13-0-2 record on the year with an aggregate score of 41-8. In addition to their win over New Zealand, they defeated World Cup participants Japan (4-1), Norway (1-0), Brazil (2-0), China (2-0, 2-1*, 2-0^), Canada (6-2), Denmark (2-0*), Sweden (3-2*). They also played to a 1-1 draw against England and a scoreless draw against Germany, both at the Four Nations Tournament. Full Report [+]
(parenthesis denotes last team played for) * Algarve Cup match ^ Four Nations Tournament match
The Groups
Group A
Second-ranked Germany will be challenged by 12th-ranked England and a 10th-ranked Japanese squad that will essentially be the home team for the group. Number 29 Argentina is the fourth team in the group.
Group B
The United States was drawn into what is arguably the most difficult group of the tournament with three of the current top five teams in the FIFA World Rankings. Ranked number one, they are joined by third-ranked Sweden and fifth-ranked Korea DPR. Rounding out the group is Nigeria, who despite their ranking of 24 have been a talented side historically in the tournament.
Group C
Fourth-ranked Norway had what may have been the easiest group coming out of the draw with Ghana (47), Australia (15) and Canada (9). However, Canada was the surprise team of the last World Cup, finishing fourth and Australia defeated host China, a longtime power, twice in the past month. Ghana has also historically been a tough team in past tournaments.
Group D
Brazil (8) and China (11) are ranked surprisingly low in contrast to the history of success and talent. Denmark comes in ranked sixth, making the group a wide-open contest. New Zealand enters at 23, but has a very youthful squad with minimal experience that could make it a tough tournament given the experience of their opposition.
