|
Barnhart, Buehler Headed to Beijing With The U.S. Women's National Team
June 23, 2008 Release from U.S. Soccer Communications CHICAGO - U.S. Women's National Team head coach Pia Sundhage has named the 18-player roster for the 2008 Olympic Team, and two Stanford alumni, goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart and defender Rachel Buehler, have each earned a spot on the squad that will head to Beijing. Sundhage made her final selections after the USA's 1-0 victory over Canada in the 2008 Peace Queen Cup championship game on June 21 in Suwon, South Korea. "This is definitely one of my greatest accomplishments and I am proud and honored to be representing the U.S. and Stanford at the Beijing Olympics," said Barnhart. "For me, the Olympics was something to only dream about as a kid and watch on TV over the years as all of the Olympians represented our country. Now, it is a great honor to know that people, both young and old, will be doing the same for me as I live out my dream." "I am so excited to be going to the Olympics," added Buehler. "It is an incredible honor to play on this team and represent our country and I am grateful for this opportunity." The USA will open play at the 2008 Beijing Olympics Aug. 6 against Norway in Qinhuangdao, China. The USA will then face Japan on Aug. 9, also in Qinhuangdao, before finishing Group G play against New Zealand, which features current Stanford player Ali Riley on its roster, on Aug. 12 in Shenyang. "It's special to be able to share this experience with Rachel and Ali," added Barnhart. "I am hoping we will have a great time and many memories together as we live out our Olympic dreams." After taking over the U.S. team at the end of 2007, Sundhage evaluated 46 players in training camp environments during the past seven months and capped 26 players across 18 international matches before selecting the final roster.
"There are many players that have a lot of experience and are very competitive in practice," said Sundhage. "They really show up for every training and want to perform every time they are on the field. It's good to see them train at a level that is close to the game. For all the coaches, we want to make practices as game-like as possible, and I never had to get on them or yell at them to work hard. They push themselves in a very nice way and that is why it is difficult to pick a team." Barnhart is one of six players who were on the roster for their first-ever world championship at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup that have been selected to their first Olympic Team. Buehler is one of three players to make their first-ever roster for a senior level world championship. Buehler has extensive youth national team world championship experience as she started for the U.S. at the 2002 and 2004 FIFA Under-19 World Championships. "Everybody at Stanford is very proud of Barnie and Rachel for making the US Olympic Team," commented head coach Paul Ratcliffe. "It is a very prestigious honor and we wish them the best of luck in China." All 22 players -- the Olympic Team plus the four alternates -- will leave for Europe on June 27 for two matches, the first against Norway on July 2 in Fredrikstad and a second against Sweden on July 5 in Skelleftea. The USA's two Olympic send-off matches against Brazil, on July 13 in Commerce City, Colo. (2 p.m. MT on ESPN presented by Dodge) and on July 16 in San Diego, Calif. (7 p.m. PT on Fox Soccer Channel), will feature only the 18 players named to the Olympic Team. 2008 UNITED STATES OLYMPIC WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM
Players Pos. Ht. DOB Hometown College Caps/Goals * First Olympics ** Second Olympics *** Third Olympics
U.S. Olympic Women's Soccer Team By Position
Alternates Pos. Ht. DOB Hometown College Caps/Goals
Coaching Staff: |
