Morgan Tallies Hat Trick, U.S. Finishes 3rd

Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach ensured the U.S. wouldn't get shutout for a second straight match as they accounted for all of the scoring in the U.S.'s 4-0 rout of rival Sweden today. Morgan scored her first ever hat trick for the U.S. giving her 5 goals in the tournament and a team high 11 in 2012. Meanwhile Wambach's goal gives her 134 for her international career moving her to within 24 of the legendary Mia Hamm. Hope Solo got the day off for the first time in 2012 giving way to Nicole Barnhart who made 7 saves in the victory.

The U.S. is now off for the rest of March, but they start April off with a pair of friendlies in Japan, first getting another crack at the Japanese on the first and then taking on 4th ranked Brazil on the third. It remains to be seen if the U.S. will be able to hold onto their number one ranking when next week's updated FIFA rankings come out. 

Photo Credit: ffc-frankfurt.tumblr.com

2nd ranked Germany ended up winning the tournament defeating Japan 4-3 in a wild finish. Célia Okoyino da Mbabi broke a 2-2 tie in the 88th minute only to have Yūki Nagasato equalize two minutes later. But Okoyino da Mbabi netted her third goal of the match in stoppage time to give the Germans their first Algarve Cup title since 2006 when they defeated the U.S. in a shootout. Okoyino da Mbabi led all scorers in the tournament with 6 goals.