Thorns FC will be well represented when the Algarve Cup and Cyprus Cup kick off on Wednesday. A total of nine Portland players will be representing their home countries as preparations continue for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in June.
Alex Morgan, Tobin Heath, Rachel Van Hollebeke and Nadine Angerer will all be at the Algarve Cup in Portugal, while Steph Catley, Jodie Taylor, Christine Sinclair, Kaylyn Kyle and Rhian Wilkinson are headed to the Cyprus Cup.
Germany is the reigning Algarve Cup champion, but the United States has won the tournament nine times since its inception in 1994. The two teams met in the championship match of the tournament in 2013 as the USWNT prevailed courtesy of a brace from Morgan.
The United States has finished first or second 13 times at the tournament and will be participating this year for the 20th time in 22 editions of the Algarve Cup. Germany made its first appearance in 2002 and has won the tournament two out of the last three years.
A newer tournament, the Cyprus Cup has been held every year since 2008. The Canadians have had the most success, winning the tournament three times. Canada has featured in the championship match every year except for 2014 in which France took home the tournament title.
This will be Australia’s second consecutive trip to the Cyprus Cup, while England has competed every year since 2009. England has advanced to the championship match each of the last two tournaments. Group play in the Cyprus Cup features a Thorns-vs.-Thorns showdown as Catley and the Matildas take on Taylor and England on Friday.
Below is a schedule for each Thorns player’s country for the upcoming tournaments. The first two group games for the USWNT as well as its final match on March 11 will be broadcast on FOX Sports 1. For updates throughout the tournament follow @ThornsFC on Twitter or any of the federations Twitter handles.
2015 Algarve and Cyprus Cup Schedule For Thorns FC players
*all times reflect the Pacific Time Zone
Official Twitter Account for the Algarve Cup: @Algarve_Cup2015
United States
@ussoccer_wnt
March 4 vs. Norway – 11 a.m. (FOX Sports 1)
March 6 vs. Switzerland - 9 a.m. (FOX Sports 1)
March 9 vs. Iceland – 10:30 a.m.
March 11 vs. TBD (FOX Sports 1)
Canada
@CanadaSoccerEN
March 4 vs. Scotland – 7:30 a.m.
March 6 vs. Korea DPR - 4:30 a.m.
March 9 vs. Italy – 4:30 a.m.
March 11 vs. TBD
Germany
@DFB_Frauen (German) / @NewsFBL (English)
March 4 vs. Sweden – 8 a.m.
March 6 vs. China PR - 5 a.m.
March 9 vs. Brazil – 10:30 a.m.
March 11 vs. TBD
England
@england
March 4 vs. Finland – 4:30 a.m.
March 6 vs. Australia - 7:30 a.m.
March 9 vs. Netherlands – 7:30 a.m.
March 11 vs. TBD
Australia
@TheMatildas
March 4 vs. Netherlands – 7:30 a.m.
March 6 vs. England - 7:30 a.m.
March 9 vs. Finland – 7:30 a.m.
March 11 vs. TBD
