United States Women's National Team coach Pia Sundhage has revealed her roster for the 15th annual Algarve Cup, to be held in Portugal from March 5th to March 12th.

The US is in Group B and will play China on March 5th, Italy on March 7th and Norway on March 10th.

"The Algarve Cup is a very important tournament for several reasons," Sundhage told ussoccer. "First, it is excellent preparation for the Olympic qualification, especially playing four difficult matches in eight days. That is a test of our fitness, our mental toughness and also our depth."

"But also, like we faced in the Four Nations Tournament in China, it gives the team a chance to play against three very good teams in the group who all play different styles, and that is fantastic for the development of our team rhythm, as well as for our young players getting experience at a big tournament."

Fifteen of the women were on the 2007 US World Cup roster, but the US will be without their all-time leading Algarve Cup scorer, Kristine Lilly, who is expecting her first child.

Among those making the trip to Portugal include Carli Lloyd, the MVP of last year's tournament after scoring in all four US games. Two-time tournament MVP Shannon Boxx and Abby Wambach, who has nine career Algarve Cup goals, are also on the roster.

The US has won the tournament four of the last five years. The only recent slip-up was in 2006 when they lost to Germany on penalties in the final.

USWNT Algarve Cup roster
Keepers - Nicole Barnhart, Hope Solo

Defenders - Rachel Buehler, Stephanie Cox, Tobin Heath, Kate Markgraf, Christie Rampone, Cat Whitehill

Midfielders - Shannon Boxx, Lori Chalupny, Angela Hucles, Carli Lloyd, Leslie Osborne, Lindsay Tarpley, Angie Woznuk

Forwards – Lauren Cheney, Natasha Kai, Heather O'Reilly, Amy Rodriguez, Abby Wambach