[U.S. WOMEN] Abby Wambach will rejoin the U.S. national team for the Algarve Cup March 2-9 in Portugal after missing January’s Four Nations Tournament in China. She heads the 24-player squad -- all pro players -- Coach Pia Sundhage has selected to take to Europe for training on Feb. 18. She will name a 20-player squad for the tournament in the Algarve region on the southern coast of Portugal before its start.

U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo is not yet cleared for game competition but will come to train as she enters the final stages of her rehabilitation from major shoulder surgery. She is one of four goalies on the squad.

Heather Mitts will not make the trip due to injury, but outside back Ali Krieger, who is playing in Germany for FFC Frankfurt, will rejoin the U.S. team in Portugal.

Defender Whitney Engen is one of three uncapped players along with goalies Ashlyn Harris and Alyssa Naeher.

Nicole Barnhart, who has started the past 11 games in goal for the USA, will be the fourth U.S. keeper.

The USA is the defending champion at the Algarve Cup and has won the tournament seven times, including an unprecedented three straight championships from 2003-05.

The Americans defeated Germany, 3-2, in the 2010 championship game.

Germany, the defending world champion and 2011 Women's World Cup host, will not be in Portugal this year.

The USA will face Japan, Norway and Finland in group play.
 
U.S. ROSTER:
GOALKEEPERS (4): Nicole Barnhart (out of contract), Ashlyn Harris (Western New York Flash), Alyssa Naeher (Boston Breakers), Hope Solo (out of contract)
DEFENDERS (7): Rachel Buehler (Boston Breakers), Stephanie Cox (Boston Breakers), Whitney Engen (Western New York Flash), Ali Krieger (FFC Frankfurt), Amy LePeilbet (Boston Breakers), Christie Rampone (Washington Freedom), Becky Sauerbrunn (Washington Freedom),
MIDFIELDERS (9): Yael Averbuch (Western New York Flash), Shannon Boxx (Washington Freedom), Tobin Heath (Sky Blue FC), Lori Lindsey (Philadelphia Independence), Carli Lloyd (Atlanta Beat), Kelley O’Hara (Boston Breakers), Heather O’Reilly (Sky Blue FC), Megan Rapinoe (Philadelphia Independence), Lindsay Tarpley (Washington Freedom)
FORWARDS (4): Lauren Cheney (Boston Breakers), Alex Morgan (Western New York Flash), Amy Rodriguez (Philadelphia Independence), Abby Wambach (Washington Freedom)
 
GROUPS:
Group A
Japan, Finland, USA, Norway
Group B
Sweden, China, Iceland, Denmark
Group C
Portugal, Chile, Wales, Romania
 
SCHEDULE:
March 2
A Norway vs. Finland
A USA vs. Japan
B  Sweden vs. Iceland
B  China vs. Denmark
C Portugal vs. Wales
C Romania vs. Chile
 
March 4
A Japan vs. Finland
A USA vs. Norway
B  Iceland vs. China
B  Denmark vs. Sweden
C Portugal vs. Chile
C Wales vs. Romania
 
March 7
A Norway vs. Japan
A USA vs. Finland
B  China vs. Sweden
B  Denmark vs. Iceland
C Chile vs. Wales
C Portugal vs. Romania
 
March 9
Placement Matches
11th-Place Match
9th-Place Match 
7th-Place Match 
5th-Place Match   
3rd-Place Match
Championship