Nope that didn't work.

Good old ciara

USA WINS ALGARVE CUP

Todays results :

USA 2 - 1 Denmark

Norway 2 - Germany 0

Sweden 3 - 0 Italy

Finland 0 - 3 Iceland

China 1 - 1 Portugal ( china win 5-4 on penalties )

Republic Of Ireland 2 - 2 Poland ( Poland win 6-5 on penalties )



Table Standings

1) USA

2) Denmark

3) Norway

4) Germany

5) Sweden

6) Italy

7) Iceland

Finland

9) China

10) Portugal

11) Poland

12) Republic Of Ireland

http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=LrKRDTtD0Y0


suprising iceland !!!!


and china 1-1 on portugal

Isn't that link showing German men losing?

Things I got from the Algarve Cup, even though I couldn't see it:

1. China just aren't that good anymore.
2. Germany underperform when it doesn't matter.
3. Denmark can perform well when it doesn't matter.
4. Sweden have some work to do before the Oly's.
5. Norway has goalie issues since Nordby's retirement.
6. Barney has finally put herself into a position to be USA's no. 2 goalie.

I thought Barnie had a good tournie , but I just think Pia will go for Scurry for the Olympics. I really do hope I'm wrong.

Honestly, I don't know either way. Before this tournament I thought she had little chance. But in the Norway game she was able to prove herself a bit for really the first time. She has one big thing over Scurry and that is that she can kick the bjesus out of the ball. Since our midfield is still lacking in its ability in the air and maintaining possession it could give her a leg up. I don't know if either of the no. 2 possibilities will be given a chance in the Oly qualifiers, since they are so important, but Pia will probably give the person she's leaning towards prep time during the friendlies before the Olympics.

People I still think are safe:

Solo (G)
Rampone(D)
Chalupny(D/M)
Boxx(M)
Lloyd(M)
Tarp(M/F)
HAO(M/F)
Wambach(F)

People who I think are on the high end of the bubble: Markgraf(D)- Rampones wingwoman, experienced, probably could put her in with the safes. Hucles(M/D)- Pia seems to really like her because she's consistent and she can play anywhere if there are ever injury concerns. Plus, Pia seems to like Lloyd but she's terribly inconsistent, so she needs that exchange. Kai(F)- gave a big boost to her stock this tournament, by showing how she can bring positive out of nowhere even if she isn't consistent A-Rod(F)- now that HAO is basically a Mid, there is space for her, and her and Kai can exchange speed roles based on performance. (Look at her goal on Youtube against Norway, bad mistake by N gk, but her speed to break away from the N defense was impressive) Tobin Heath(M/F/D)- she's versatile, which Pia loves. Mitts(D)- if she can get healthy I think she'll play in the Oly qualifiers. Pia seems to want to replace Whitehill, and a healthy Mitts would have experience + speed to do that. But ACL is the biggest injury mountain to climb, so I'm not overly optmistic. Cox(D)- might be replaced by one of the newbies, but I doubt it, experience is too important on defense. I do think Pia'll probably take a newbie defender though, I just have no idea who.

Low end of the bubble- Whitehill(D)- she doesn't seem to be in favor with Pia because of her speed and her amazing longball skills just aren't that necessary anymore. She's still in it because of others injury issues and her experience, but if Pia can replace her I think she will. Osbourne(M)- another player I don't think Pia is that in love with because she wants a more offensive Midfield. Wagner(M)-Pia's working on Lloyd to replace her as we speak, she's what they need, but constantly being injured makes her a liability in a short roster.

Those are just my thoughts, the mids are pretty settled, but the D lineup will be interesting to watch.