Abby Wambach returns to US women’s team for Algarve Cup soccer tournament

Wambach returns to US women’s team for Algarve Cup

CHICAGO — Abby Wambach was among 19 players selected for the U.S. roster for the Algarve Cup after missing last year’s tournament while recovering from a broken leg.

Wambach scored three goals at the 2008 Algarve Cup to raise her total to 12, one shy of Kristine Lilly’s U.S. career record.

The U.S. has won the tournament six times in 14 previous appearances, including three in a row from 2003-05. The Americans lost to Sweden 4-3 on penalty kicks in last year’s final following a 1-1 tie.

Only eight players returned from last year’s American roster. Midfielder Heather O’Reilly and Hope Solo will be appearing in their eighth Algarve Cup, while midfielder Shannon Boxx is going to her seventh, and Wambach and defender Heather Mitts to their sixth.

Defender Christie Rampone is pregnant, midfielder Megan Rapinoe is recovering from an illness and defender Lori Chalupny is taking time off due to concussion-related issues.

The tournament in Portugal is from Feb. 24-March 3, with the Group A and B winners meeting for the championship.

The U.S. is in Group B and plays Iceland on Feb. 24, Norway two days later and Sweden on March 1. Group A includes China, Denmark, Finland and Germany, and Group C Austria, Faeroe Islands, Portugal and Romania.

The roster:

Goalkeepers: Nicole Barnhart (Gold Pride), Jill Loyden (Chicago), Hope Solo (St. Louis)

Defenders: Rachel Buehler (Gold Pride), Stephanie Cox (Breakers), Amy LePeilbet (Boston), Heather Mitts (Philadelphia), Meghan Schnur (Sky Blue), Cat Whitehill (Washington)

Midfielders: Yael Averbuch (Sky Blue), Shannon Boxx (St. Louis), Tobin Heath (Atlanta), Lori Lindsey (Philadelphia), Carli Lloyd (Sky Blue), Heather O’Reilly (Sky Blue)

Forwards: Lauren Cheney (Boston), Casey Nogueira (Chicago), Amy Rodriguez (Philadelphia), Abby Wambach (Washington)