March 13, 2008
Some portions of this release used courtesy of U.S. Soccer.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State head coach Erica Walsh was on the sidelines as the U.S. Women's National Team captured the 2008 Algarve Cup after victories over China, Italy, Norway and Denmark. The U.S. squad opened action with a 4-0 victory over China on March 5 and followed it up two days later with a 2-0 win against Italy. Norway was the U.S. team's next shutout, a 4-0 victory, before the team beat Denmark 2-1 for the title on March 12.
The USA will now return home for a week-long break before regrouping on March 21 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. for a training camp prior to leaving for Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and the CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament, being held from April 2-12. The U.S. will face Jamaica and Mexico in first round play of the six-team tournament. The winners of the semifinal matches earn berths to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Walsh has been assisting the Women's National Team since earlier this year. In her first year as Penn State's head coach, she took the team to an 18-4-2 mark, a 10th-straight Big Ten title, and an NCAA third round appearance.
2008 Algarve Cup Final Standings
1st- USA
2nd- Denmark
3rd- Norway
4th- Germany
5th- Sweden
6th- Italy
7th- Iceland
8th- Finland
9th- China
10th- Portugal
11th- Poland
12th- Ireland