U.S. women to play Norway, Sweden in Europe

Soccer Betting Lines

05/09/2008 - Chicago, IL (Soccer Betting) - The United States womens national team, ranked No. 1 in the world by FIFA, will travel to Europe for exhibition games against Norway and Sweden this summer.

The U.S., which is 12-0-1 this year, plays Norway on July 2 and Sweden on July 5. Norway is ranked fifth in the world and Sweden third.

The match in Sweden will mark the return of new U.S. coach Pia Sundhage to her native country and will be the first time she has faced Sweden as U.S. coach.

"Of course, it will be an interesting trip for me personally before and after the Sweden game, but during the match my focus is entirely on the U.S. team and how we can keep improving," said Sundhage, who played 146 times for Sweden, including two FIFA Womens World Cups and one Olympic Games.

The U.S. plays Canada on Saturday in Washington, D.C. The United States will be without goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart, who underwent an arthroscopic surgery Tuesday in Washington, D.C. on her right knee.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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