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The Home Depot Center will be rocking this Sunday when the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team kicks off against Australia in an international friendly at 12:30 p.m. (PT).
Fresh off their Olympic Gold Medal winning performance, the U.S. squad includes four Southern California natives who made significant contributions in London. So before you break out the face paint and "Marry me, Hope" signs, brush up on your local SoCal stars…
SHANNON BOXX (Midfielder), Age: 35, Hometown: Redondo Beach; High School: South Torrance; College: Notre Dame
Caps: 171 / Goals: 23
Shannon Boxx graduated from South Torrance in 1995 where she was a four-sport athlete, playing soccer, volleyball, basketball and softball.
The former Spartan has become one of the best defensive midfielders in the world since coming into the U.S. squad in 2003. An important component of the U.S. arsenal, Boxx is known for her scoring and ability to set the team's ball-possession rhythm.
AMY RODRIGUEZ (Forward), Age: 25, Hometown: Lake Forest; High School: Santa Margarita; College: USC
Caps: 94 / Goals: 25
Amy Rodriguez has set the bar high for every footballer to come out of the successful SMCHS soccer program. A-Rod was a Parade All-American in 2003 and 2004 and named 2005 Gatorade Player of the Year.
After graduating, Rodriguez took her boots to USC where she finished her college career ranked fourth all-time in goals (31) and points (79). She made her debut on the U.S. squad in 2005 against Finland in the Algarve Cup.
At the 2012 Olympics in London, Rodriguez earned her second Olympic Gold Medal. The former Eagle played off the bench, contributing her speed and agility in the late minutes.
ALEX MORGAN (Forward), Age: 23, Hometown: Diamond Bar; High School: Diamond Bar; College: UC Berkeley
Caps: 49 / Goals: 31
While at Diamond Bar High School, Alex Morgan lettered in track (running the 100-meter, the 200-meter and high jump) and volleyball. But it was her speed, strength and agility that kept her on the soccer pitch.
Morgan split her collegiate career playing for Cal and for the U.S. U-20 team, where she competed in the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. Alex's first appearance on the senior team came in 2010 against Mexico.
It's taken Morgan very little time to become one of the biggest names on the team. The crafty striker is a consummate "game changer" – scoring seemingly impossible goals and finding creative ways to feed the ball to her teammates.
At the 2012 Olympic Games, her game-winning goal against Canada was Morgan's team-high 20th in 2012, becoming only the sixth and youngest U.S. player to do so in a single year.
RACHEL BUEHLER (Defender), Age: 27, Hometown: Del Mar; High School: Torrey Pines; College: Stanford
Caps: 89 / Goals: 3
Rachel Buehler is a gritty halfback who made a name for herself early in North County. At Torrey Pines High School, she was named Defender of the Year in 2000 and Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002.
Lettering in soccer all through high school, Buehler was named the 2001 and 2002 Palomar League Player of the Year and earned First Team All-CIF and All-Palomar League honors for three straight years. She competed in the San Diego Surf Soccer Club for seven years.
Her hard work and accolades continued at Stanford University, where she completed her senior year in 2007, majoring in human biology/pre-medicine.
The rugged defender joined the national team training camp in July 2006 and debuted for the full team in March 2008 at the Algarve Cup in Portugal.
Locals To Watch:
Sydney Leroux (F), Age: 22 – Born and raised in Canada until age 15 when she moved to Los Angeles. The former UCLA standout, Sydney currently has 19 caps with 9 goals. Sydney scored a goal against New Zealand in the Olympic quarterfinals in London.
Whitney Engen (D), Age: 24 – The Rolling Hill Estates native, played soccer for North Carolina. The half-back was called up for the Kirin Cup in Japan in April, 2012.
Christen Press (F) Age: 23 – The highly decorated striker from Palos Verdes played soccer at Chadwick High School. Christen is the current all-time leading scorer with 71 goals for the Stanford University women’s soccer team. The recipient of the 2010 Hermann Trophy, Christen was selected as an alternate for the Olympic squad in London.
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