Heather Mitts: Right Player, Right Back

It took Heather Mitts five years and three WUSA seasons to get her big break with the U.S. National Team, but since 2004, she has started 84 of the 98 matches she has played, carving out a niche at right back for the USA.

Meet the two sides of Heather Mitts.

Off the field -- and yes we’re going to say it -- she’s a bit of a girlie-girl. She loves to dress up, has more than a few modeling gigs on her resume and always seems to manage to look fabulous.

On the field, she’s a gritty and feisty defender who never shies away from a physical battle or even a little scuffle with an opposing player. Truth be told, she’s just a little bit nasty.

But which Heather is the real Heather? Of course, it’s both, and that combination has made her one of the most popular players on the U.S. Women’s National Team with fans and her teammates over the past six years.

And who wouldn’t love someone who is as comfortable on a red carpet as she is slamming her 5-foot-5-inch frame into massive Germans?

“As players, we like to poke fun at one another and I guess I am a girlie-girl” said Mitts. “I find it flattering if people think that, but I just want make sure when I’m on the field, no one will ever get that impression of me.”

Many players who eventually excel at the international level start their careers slowly, but most don’t start as slow as Mitts. She debuted in 1999 before the famous FIFA Women’s World Cup that capture the hearts of the nation, but during the next five years, she earned just five caps and played a total of 143 minutes without making a start.

In 2004, at age 25, she finally got her big break when she was invited to residency training camp for the 2004 Olympics. With defensive stalwart Joy Fawcett nursing injuries, Mitts worked her way into the lineup by showing the characteristics that would come to define her career: relentless work ethic, fearlessness into the tackle, excellent team spirit and a great feel for the correct plays to be made with the ball at right back.

“I came into residency with the attitude that I really had nothing to lose,” said Mitts, who was recovering from a broken bone in her leg suffered during the WUSA season. “I think before when I was with the national team, if I had a bad day, I would be down about it, but I was more mature after playing in the pro league. I was taking it all in stride and giving it my best effort. One thing led to another and I was eventually living out my dream.”

Every coach loves a player who is consistent – a player who brings no doubts what she will deliver when you send her out in the starting eleven. Mitts is such a player. She earned a spot on the 2004 Olympic team, saw action in two games including one start, and earned her first gold medal in Greece.

Since the 2004 Olympics, she started in 66 of the 70 matches she has played, becoming a regular feature in a U.S. backline that has held opponents to less than half a goal per game in four of the last five years. Mitts says her consistency comes from making sure the best aspects of her game stay at a high level, while focusing to improve on her weaknesses over the past few years.

“I’m aggressive, feisty and a hard worker,” said Mitts. “I think I knew what had gotten me to the point where I could make national team rosters, but I also knew I had to improve to become more of a complete player. That was mostly on the technical side of the game. I’ve always relied on my athleticism, my speed and aggression, but I wouldn’t say I’m one of the most technical players. I knew that in order to continue to be part of the WNT I had to work on that side of my game.”

Mitts tore her ACL just four months before the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup and was forced to miss the tournament at which she almost certainly would have been a starter. She used the time during her rehabilitation to work even more with the ball and as a result, it did wonders for her confidence on the field. When she returned and got back to 100 percent physically, she was even more impactful on the flank for the USA.

“I just want to continue to be dynamic out of the back by going forward,” said Mitts. “I want to be an attacking threat, but at the same time, hopefully be part of one of the best defenses in the world.”

In 2008 she started a career-high 24 games, including all six matches at the Olympics in China where her tremendous performance alongside the rest of the U.S. defense played a huge part in another gold medal run. This year, she has started seven of the USA’s eight games and her leadership is starting to make even more of an impact on a team that features some young central defenders.

Now, at 31, she is posed to make a run at what would be her first and perhaps last Women’s World Cup team. Mitts has moved nine times since college due to her soccer career and the pro football career of her fiancé A.J. Feely, currently of the Carolina Panthers. She also changed WPS clubs from the Boston Breakers to the Philadelphia Independence, where she will be able to play at her natural position, a spot currently occupied by English international Alex Scott in Boston.

“Just having both of us doing something that we love, we’ve realized all the moving is just part of the business,” said Mitts. “It’s not going to last forever, so we are just enjoying the ride as much as we can while it lasts.”

And how long will it last? Mitts is always one of the top players during the U.S. fitness tests and she says she is feeling great, despite the many on-field collisions with larger players. She is excited about the run to qualification for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and perhaps the 2012 Olympics, and then it might be time to hang up the boots after what surely will be one of the best careers ever for a U.S. outside back.

“I’m very honored and appreciative to have the experience and success that I’ve had so far,” said “It’s been a long 10 years overcoming a lot of adversity, but I’ve accomplished a lot and enjoyed some of the best friendships of my life. I’ve been all over the world and played against some of the best players in the world. To be able to play a sport that I love for a living has just been amazing, but hopefully, I can top off my career with a World Cup championship to be content with walking away from the game.”

Related Topics : U.S. Women, Heather Mitts, Germany Women

Mitts returns, joining Independence

By Pat Maguire
Inquirer Staff Writer

Reach into your closet and dust off that old Charge jersey. The poster player is back.

The Philadelphia Independence of Women's Professional Soccer acquired Heather Mitts yesterday in a signing that returns the defender to the city where she started her WUSA career - as a member of the now-defunct Charge from 2001 to 2003.

"It's where I began my professional career and most likely where I will end it," Mitts said in a statement. "I've been impressed with the organization and its plans for the team."

Mitts, 31, played for the Boston Breakers last year after the WPS national team allocation in 2008. She became a free agent Sept. 30.

She has spent most of the decade playing for the women's national team, including winning Olympic gold in Athens in 2004 and Beijing last year. This year, she became the 25th player in U.S. history to earn 100 caps.

After the Cincinnati native came to the Charge from the University of Florida in 2001, she started all 51 games in three years, led her team to the playoffs in her first two years, and became an all-star in 2003.

Independence general manager Terry Foley said Mitts will be instrumental in building her program and reaching out to the Philadelphia community.

"Heather's value as a player and team ambassador will be an incredible asset to our organization," Foley said in a statement.

"She has nearly a decade of national team experience, a connection with the Philadelphia communities, and is fully committed to making the Independence the best team in the league."

The Independence begin their inaugural season in the spring.

"I'm thrilled by the depth of players already acquired and look forward to playing in front of the passionate Philly fans once again," Mitts said.

Interview with Heather Mitts, USWNT, Olympic Gold Medalist, Boston Breakers Defender and ESPN’s “Sexiest Female Athlete”

Heather Mitts is a left back starting for the Boston Breakers in the new WPS league. Mitts has earned 100 caps with the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), a gold medal in the Beijing Olympics, and featured colorfully in several magazines.

From running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, to her views on collegiate soccer, a possible future in broadcast journalism, and being ESPN’s “Sexiest Female Athlete,” Mitts runs the gamut in an interview prior to her May 17th home match with the Washington Freedom at Harvard Stadium.

Read the Soccerlens interview with Heather Mitts, after the jump.

LE: You ran with bulls in Pamplona, Spain, in 1999. Can you walk me through that experience?

Mitts: Running with the bulls was one of my crazier judgments in life and one of those things I decided to do spur of the moment. It was pretty hilarious.

I was with my best friend from college and typically women don’t run with the bulls, the majority are men, local men, and so we decided we were going to do it. We hopped in the ring and it rained that morning so the cobblestones were pretty wet and we were saying, “We haven’t told our parents that we’re doing this because we knew they’d disapprove, and the cobblestones are kind of wet, so what happens if we slip and fall with these bulls running after us!”

So we were debating whether or not to do it, but before we could change our mind the bell rang and the next thing you know we were running through the streets of Pamplona. We made it into the coliseum way before the bulls did - you’re not supposed to, it’s against their culture, but we didn’t know that until we got in there and people started throwing food at us and booing.

So we ran out and the bulls caught up to us and we couldn’t believe how big these bulls were! Never would have imagined these animals being half the size. The minute we saw those things we took off back to the coliseum, we didn’t even care if we were going to get food thrown at us again because they were so big and coming full steam at us and it’s true, your life kind of flashes before your eyes. They were pretty close and it was pretty terrifying and we were looking at each other like, “What are we doing right now?” But we made it back into the coliseum and didn’t get hurt and we’re living to this day and it was one of the best experiences of my life. We can look back on it and laugh and say we’re glad we did it.

Nobody was seriously hurt that day. We heard later that a couple people had actually died so it was a little terrifying we even considered it but you can be kind of naïve and make stupid choices, but it all worked out.

LE: Are you going to do this again?

Mitts: No, I like to do things like that once in my life, I don’t think I’d do it again. I want to do things before I have children, because when I have children it’s not going to happen. I’ve done bungee jumping, I’ve done the running with the bulls, I guess sky diving is the last thing on my list.

LE: You earned your 100th cap in Algarve in March, the 25th American to do so. How important is your involvement with the national team?

Mitts: For me, it’s a dream come true. It’s the pinnacle of women’s soccer and to be able to play with the best in the world and compete for the World Cup and in the Olympics and play for your country is just a huge honor.

LE: Your May national team games in Texas and Utah were just cancelled by Japan after four Japanese students returned from Canada with the swine flu.

Mitts: Yeah, we just got the news, it’s unfortunate. Anytime you have any opportunity to be with the national team it’s an honor and a challenge, and it was something I was looking forward to.

LE: How do Pia Sundage [USWNT] and Tony Dicicco [Boston Breakers] differ as coaches?

Mitts: They have very different philosophies. Pia is Swedish and European and her philosophies are different than American philosophies. It’s fun being coached by both because they teach me different things which help elevate my game. I played for Pia in Philadelphia [Charge] and won a gold medal with her and she’s very inspirational. I’m loving being coached by Tony because he’s expecting a lot more from me because I’m a national team player and he’s trying to push me and elevate my game. When you’re 30 years old it’s hard to do that.

LE: And you are playing a strong game, you gave Kelly Smith her assist last week in Boston.

Mitts: But I’m playing on the left side now, so that’s a huge challenge for me. I’m a right-sided player and I’ve been playing on the right so long it’s a real challenge, but every game keeps getting better and better. Tony wants me to really get into the attack, get forward - on other teams you try to create opportunities off crosses, but I need to get in there and score some goals.

I played a little bit on the left when I was in college, kind of the same situation where we didn’t have a natural left-footed back. I find it frustrating, I’m not going to lie, but at the same time, I feel like every little thing is becoming more comfortable and I think it’s a test of my versatility, which in turn can help me with the national team.

When you’re putting together a roster, especially for the Olympics, you need players who can play as many positions as possible. Any place Pia wants to put me, or anyone wants to put me, well, put me there and hopefully I’ll go out and perform my best.

LE: Your Breakers teammates Amy LePeilbet, Amy Rodriguez, and Angela Hucles were also selected to play against Japan, and only the Red Stars had so many players called up. What does that say about the level of the Breakers?

Mitts: Our team is great and we have the right coach to help us reach our potential. All of our players are amazing and that’s the reason they’re getting called in.

LE: You won a gold medal and beat Brazil in the Beijing Olympics last summer. What do you personally take away from that?

Mitts: It was the best experience of my life. I had just come back from my ACL and I thought I’d be lucky to just make the squad and then to go out there and start and play? I look back and think about how the whole year went – we lost Abby [Wambach] the game before going over there and a lot of people doubted us. But it was a team effort - we all believed in one another and every person on that team contributed whether they played five or 90 minutes and we were so happy to get the results.

LE: You played in the original women’s league WUSA in 2001-2003 with the Philadelphia Charge and now you’re in WPS. What’s the biggest difference between these two leagues?

Mitts: My role was different. I was fresh out of college and I was the hungry college player looking to be on the national team and this time around we’re the experienced ones, the ones that are trying to help make other players better. I think the level of this league is really, really high, and I think the way things are going – the marketing, the branding, and drawing smaller, I think it’s a good and smart way to do it. If they continue to go the way they’re going, this league will be around for years and years to come which is really going to help the game of soccer in the United States.

The salaries, I believe, are $20,000-45,000 and I don’t know the salary cap, but that’s decided by the GM and the coach so every player is paid. We have four internationals per team.

LE: So what’s going to make the difference between these two leagues?

Mitts: Well, obviously we’re paid a lot less. That’s one of the things in order to make the league succeed we all had to agree upon – that we’d get paid less money in order to make something work in the future. The marketing plan is different and we don’t have a home base in NYC, it’s a better place, not quite as expensive. It’s a lot of the things we did the first year in the Philadelphia Charge - we actually spent our first preseason out in San Diego and we stayed in Doubletree for an entire month. Now we’re going to be staying in our market whether or not it’s cold outside. It’s something we have to deal with - sacrifice some of those costs we weren’t as smart with in the past league. All those things are going to make a huge difference to make sure this league succeeds, and we’re all on the same page and we’re willing to do it.

LE: The seven team rankings change rather dramatically on a weekly basis. How important are these rankings?

Mitts: The great thing about this league is the parity. When you have national team players split evenly throughout the league, the draft, the international players and whatnot – all the teams are very comparable as far as talent. In any given week, one team could beat another team and so every game is important and it’s going to come down to the very end to see who’s going to make it to the playoffs. It’s so competitive and so fun and exciting and stressful and all those things, but at the same time this is why we play soccer and it’s why we have a league.

LE: How important is winning the league this year and what is the prize?

Mitts: A trophy like every other league, but also the fact you’re making history in the first WPS season. We want to be a part of that. The playoff system is pretty interesting. If you end up the season in first place then you don’t have to play another game till the finals. It’s up to that second, third, and fourth place team to duke it out in the next couple games until they get to that final game.

LE: Harvard Stadium is the oldest stadium in the nation, it’s beautiful, and has seen so much history. When you play there, do you feel that you’re part of that history?

Mitts: Being a part of the new WPS league is history right there. Playing at Harvard and all that history, and on top of that if you win the first season, you’re making history as the first Championship team. There’s a lot at stake and we’re all aware of that, but excited enough that there’s a league after all these years and we all understand the importance of this league.

LE: The difference in the Breakers’ play between the April 11, Athletica match and the May 2, LA Sol match was remarkable. The technical, strategic side, the attacking mode, it was fantastic, steps up from the 2-0 home opener win with Athletica. How do you account for the difference in the level of the Sol game?

Mitts: It’s two-fold. It’s the fact that we’re more used to playing together and we’ve made some changes in the line-up. And another thing is, we were playing against one of the best teams in the league. When you look at LA and their attacking players – Marta and Han Duan and Miyama and Shannon Boxx and Aly Wagner all on the same team, it’s a pretty dynamic team, some of the best in the game, so obviously we elevated our game. We knew they were an attack-oriented team and we needed good defense and we have all those things. We have Kelly Smith and she’s one of the best players in the world. And also, we’re starting to play our game as well. We’re starting to play to our level and I think we’re one of the best teams in WPS and it’s starting to show.

LE: Referee Keri Seitz did a great job in that LA Sol match. It was physical, lots of slide tackles, but they were clean and winning the ball, and not one card required. Such a difference from the Washington Freedom/Athletica game that got so out of control and ended up with Daniela getting her leg broken by Abby Wambach. How do you deal with the inconsistency of referees?

Mitts: You have to realize you can only control so much of the game. You can’t really rely on the referee because you never know what they’re going to call. You never know if you’re going to have someone who’s an amazing referee or someone mediocre. So really you have to control what you can control, not the entire game, and try to play the best soccer possible and play clean and be smart and professional. If a game gets a little out of control, they have game reports at the end of each game and the referee gets graded on their performance, so hopefully that will play out through the season as well.

LE: How is Fabiana, the new Brazilian striker working into the team, do you expect her to take the field this Sunday?

Mitts: No, no, no, she’s just coming back from an ACL injury, it’s going to take her a little while to get back out there on the field. But that gives her a little time to get used to us, learn a little of the language and we’ll learn a couple key words to help her out as well. We’re just trying to make the transition for her as comfortable as it can be, it has to be a little nerve wracking coming to a new country when you barely speak the language and on top of that she’s extremely young and coming back from injury. She came with a translator and they’re going to be together at all times. We’ve already given her a nickname – Fabs –and she seems to get a little chuckle out of that.

LE: Some of your games are neither broadcasted nor online. What steps is WPS taking to make more of the games viewable nationally?

Mitts: The Fox Soccer deal was a huge accomplishment because the true soccer fans are going to have it, so that’s a positive step in the right direction Obviously we’d like to be viewed a little more but maybe the first year we have to see how things go and maybe the next year they decide to invest more.

LE: Would you want to play in a doubleheader with the New England Revolution?

Mitts: I think it’s a great idea. When you have two professional teams in the same town, why not have something where you can come and see both teams play. When I played in the WUSA we did exhibition doubleheaders with MLS teams and the turnout was great. Soccer fans go there to support one team and then they see another team they’ve never seen before and they might end up being fans of both teams. It’s fun for the players too.

LE: What are the pros and cons of playing a doubleheader in both of those venues, Harvard Stadium and Gillette?

Mitts: The pro is that soccer fans get to watch two successful area teams play. They’re both great locations. I love playing at Harvard because it’s our home field and we have an advantage there, but at the same time it’s fun for us to go and play in new stadiums, it’s exciting. Really, I can’t think of any cons to tell the truth, maybe the traffic at Gillette.

LE: Do you think the college soccer program needs to be improved?

Mitts: From my experience in college, we had a very intense fall season and in the spring it was still taken seriously but much less games. Spring was a time for more individual training and sometimes that’s what makes you a better player. The games get you game ready but if you work on your individual skills hours upon hours each week, that’s going to help improve your game as well. Personally, I couldn’t ask for anything more, it was a really good balance, I loved playing and never got burned out.

A lot of the time I think the big issue with academies is players get burned out, they’re asking too much of you. You look at all the players on the national team and we’ve all been through the college experience and seem to be doing just fine. Everybody needs time to give their body a rest, not just physically but mentally as well, and the way it’s set up now allows for that.

LE: You were voted ESPN’s “Sexiest Female Athlete,” appeared in a five-page spread of FHM, and posed for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Why did you pose?

Mitts: My pictures are more sporty, not your typical FHM photos. Women’s soccer is not heavily publicized, so when you have an opportunity to be in such a big magazine that publicity can be good. It definitely helped as far as awareness about the new league and women’s soccer.

LE: There’s a Philadelphia WPS franchise starting in 2010, where your fiancée lives. Are you considering a move?

Mitts: My fiancée A.J. Feeley plays for the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadephia will have a team. I love playing in Boston, I love my team, I love my coach, and I’m very happy here, so we’ll cross that bridge when it happens.

LE: You’ve done some sideline journalism and live commentary for American football. Do you see yourself in broadcast journalism when your playing career is over?

Mitts: I’d love for that to happen. I’m taking my soccer career day by day and hopefully I’ll be able to transition to a broadcasting role. I was going back to college to get my Master’s in sports broadcasting, but the league came about at the same time, so why not play as long as I can, I love it so much.

Also See: Boston Breakers bio / Official Website

Photo Credit: Tony Biscaia / BreakersNet.

Fitness goddess Heather Mitts is smart, sexy, successful and engaged to a hunk - what's her secret?

Article by Amy Rabinovitz

Men and boys openly wept when the Boston Globe revealed that Heather Mitts, the elegant soccer star once named ESPN.com's "Hottest Female Athlete" was officially engaged to Eagles quarterback A.J. Feely.

Mitts successes are legendary and well publicized - member of two gold medal-winning Olympic teams (2004, 2008), All-American and national champion in 1998. broadcaster, model -- but I got to wondering just what a fitness goddess does for her workouts.

For one thing, she loves to play golf, tennis and squash. On occasion, she told grrtalk.com, she has hired a sports trainer to "kick my butt."

But the truth of her success seems captured in a video embedded below. It was created for her as an inspiration during a time of recovery, but now serves as an inspiration to all of us - men and women, big girls and little ones -- who dream big dreams.

http://www.examiner.com/x-5202-San-Jose-Fitness-Examiner

11 Questions with Heather Mitts

On the verge of earning her 100th cap for the USA, defender Heather Mitts sat down with ussoccer.com while at the Algarve Cup in Portugal to discuss her long career, the historic milestone and how she often gets just a little bit feisty during games.

You are on the verge of your 100th cap. It took you about 10 years to reach this point since your first cap in 1999, so it must be a satisfying feeling?
“Absolutely. It’s about time! Really, my only individual goal was to reach 100 caps, and I first thought about it back in 2003 when I got cut after coming into numerous training camps. Through getting cut and my injuries [broken leg, ACL] it took a lot of time, but I overcame a lot of adversity to get to this point so it’s definitely a good feeling.”

When you earned just four caps over five years from your debut in 1999 to 2003, did you feel that you might never break in to the top of the player pool?
“It never crossed my mind because all I knew is that every time I didn’t make a roster, it just made me want to work harder to make that next roster. I think I learned a lot about how motivated I could be. I kept finding a new inspiration to try to reach this level and I also knew I was competing against some of the best players of all-time so that showed me the level I had to reach, but also gave me confidence every time I played with them.”

What changed for you in 2004 when you played 28 games and won an Olympic gold medal?
“I would say my versatility paid off, but also a little bit of luck. I think I was in the right place at the right time and when Joy Fawcett got hurt I got a chance to play center back. I did well enough there to show April Heinrichs that I was capable of making the Olympic roster and that I could give cover to all the positions on the back line. My confidence grew every game and that is something that just comes with experience. It’s hard to get games with the national team, but when you do, that experience is invaluable.”

You are from Cincinnati, went to college in Florida, played professionally in Philadelphia in the WUSA, lived for a time in Miami, and also lived for 18 months Los Angeles. Now you live part of the time in San Diego, and you are going to play in Boston in the WPS. How has this nomadic life been?
“Crazy, but fun. I can just say that life for a soccer player is very much living out of a suitcase on the road. For me, I’ve had to move more times than most but I am still young, and I am going to live this lifestyle while I can. It’s been stressful and chaotic at times, but looking back at it right now, all of it has made me who I am and gotten me to where I am today.”

In the 2004 Olympics, you didn’t play that much. In the 2008 Olympics, you played all but 33 minutes and played a major role in keeping Brazil off the scoreboard in the gold medal game. With a little time to reflect now, looking back, can you put the experience in words?
“In 2004, I was fortunate to be on the team, to learn from and play with Joy Fawcett, and the other amazing backs. I was grateful for that experience and to see those great players go out on top, but it left me wanting to contribute even more. From the time that those players retired, I had the opportunity to step in, grow as a player and gain experience. I had another injury, which was a major setback, but once again that motivated me even more and luckily for me I was able to come back strong, start and contribute to this amazing team winning another Olympics. It was really a team effort in every sense and defensively it was display of all of our hard work the entire year.”

You scored twice in 2004, both off corner kicks. They were your first two career goals, but haven’t found the net since. What’s up with the scoring drought?
“Talk to Pia! She’s got to put me closer to the goal! I just keep moving further and further back on set plays. Put me in coach!”

You are not the biggest player by any means, but you have had some great success marking much larger players. What’s the key to that success?
“I am lower to the ground, and I am quick and feisty. I am just trying to avoid them stepping on my toes. You don’t have to be big to be effective as long as you are strong, smart, aggressive, and have good timing on air balls. Sometimes Abby Wambach throws me around, and I become her personal rag doll, but that just helps me against forwards from other countries.”

You tore your ACL in May of 2007 but made it back for the Olympics. What were the keys to your comeback?
“First of all, choosing the best surgeon and therapist around. I also listened to my body and worked as hard in rehab as I do in practice and treated it like my job, which it is. Once I was able to start playing again, I headed to New Jersey to work with my trainer James Galanis doing double-days and then slowly worked my way back while learning Pia’s new philosophy and regaining my confidence with the team again. It was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

You are getting married next February. How are the wedding plans progressing?
“Slowly. That’s all I can say. It was really hard to find a date that works with both of our schedules [her fiancé A.J. Feeley plays quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles]. It’s hard to organize because it’s going to be a destination wedding, but we’re going to pull it together and it’s going to be a blast.”

Things got a little rough and tumble in the Iceland match and the feisty Heather came out. What are feisty Heather’s thoughts on matches that start to get a little nasty?
“I think it’s a good thing to get emotional, but to remain composed at the same time. Against Iceland, I was able to remain composed even though I got grabbed, kicked, hit after I jumped to head a ball and a big girl landed on me. But sometimes, that’s how it gets. You just have to give as well as you take and roll with the punches. And try not to get a yellow card.”

The U.S. team is in the championship game of this year’s Algarve Cup, against either Germany or Sweden. What are your thoughts on facing those two teams?
“This is why we come to this tournament, to face competition like that. It’s surely going to be a tough game against either team and with so few games this year, it’s a great test for us. Both teams play great soccer and have some really talented forwards, but we love a challenge. First, we’re focusing on Norway and then we’ll start thinking about the final.”
- ussoccer.com

100 Caps!

We can't release the USA's starting lineup for the Algarve Cup championship match just yet, but we can confirm that defender Heather Mitts will be in it. That means that Mitts will become the 25th female player in U.S. history to earn her 100th cap. It's been a long road for Mitts to the century mark as she earned her first cap in 1999, but didn't break into the National Teal full time until 2004. Through a broken leg and an ACL injury, she has persevered to earn two Olympic gold medals and leave her mark as one of the top outside backs in U.S. history. So, congrats to Mitzy on cap 100!
- WNT Blog