The players change but the result is always the same - the U.S. women win the Algarve Cup.
With a 4-2 defeat of Iceland in Faro, Portugal, today the Americans won the tournament for the eight straight year. Happy to say my favorite U.S. player, Carli Lloyd, started the scoring with a left-footed rocket into the upper right corner from just outside the 18 in the 10th minute. Surprisingly, Iceland barreled back to take the lead with goals in the 26th and 28th minutes, only to see Lauren Cheyney score the equalizer in stoppage time when she vollied in a cross from Megan Rapinoe.
Heather O'Reilly scored the game-winner in the 55th minute when she put in a rebound of a shot by Shannon Boxx. Alex Morgan added insurance with three minutes left to play.
Congratulations to Carli on being named Woman of the Match and to the U.S. women for another gold medal in Portugal. Click here for the official U.S. Soccer report on the match.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
NCAA Nixes Coed College Cup Weekend
March 9, 2011 -- After two years of study, the NCAA decided not to play the men's and women's Division I College Cups the same weekend afterall. As reported by the NSCAA today, the Men's and Women's Soccer Committees felt it was in the best interest of both genders to play the championships at different sites on different weekends.
The NSCAA applauded the move, and pointed to member surveys that showed little support for a combined mens/women's event, notwithstanding the appeal of a "mega soccer" weekend that might appeal to a broad fan base. Other concerns were the effect of two tournaments rather than one would have on the playing field, especially in bad weather; the effect on conference tournaments; and the possible perception that one gender's tournament had the "marquee" games of the weekend, to the detriment of the other.
While I've always liked "boy-girl" doubleheaders in high school soccer (and basketball), and while I recognize the advantages of a combined event, I tend to agree with the NCAA and the NSCAA that overall it's best to keep the Cups separate.
The NSCAA applauded the move, and pointed to member surveys that showed little support for a combined mens/women's event, notwithstanding the appeal of a "mega soccer" weekend that might appeal to a broad fan base. Other concerns were the effect of two tournaments rather than one would have on the playing field, especially in bad weather; the effect on conference tournaments; and the possible perception that one gender's tournament had the "marquee" games of the weekend, to the detriment of the other.
While I've always liked "boy-girl" doubleheaders in high school soccer (and basketball), and while I recognize the advantages of a combined event, I tend to agree with the NCAA and the NSCAA that overall it's best to keep the Cups separate.
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