Last Training

The U.S. team held its final training together this afternoon after a long journey which for some of players has lasted two years through training and competition with the U.S. U-16s in 2007 and the U.S. U-17s in 2008. Ironically, the USA will end 2008 the way it started it, at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, which is just the way they wanted it. The U.S. played its first match of this year last January on the field right outside the stadium during the Future Stars Tournament, defeating Australia 6-0, and will try to end with a win inside the stadium tomorrow. It's been a long, emotional tournament, but aside from the usual bumps and bruises, the U.S. players are healthy, motivated and ready to leave everything on the field during the U-17 Women's World Cup Final.