Women's Day Sounders Women Update

(Update: A few minutes after this was posted, the Sounders Women announced that they have signed last season's WPS Rookie of the Year Keelin Winters. Of course. Because that's just how they roll.)

In honor of today being International Women's Day (which makes one wonder why 3 and a half billion people get one whole day), let's get some updates on the Sounders Women.

Shut Out By Japan - After coasting through their first two group matches in the Algarve Cup, the US women fell once again to the Japanese women, who have quickly become the US' nemeses after defeating the Yanks in the World Cup Final. All three Sounders Women players played in the game, with Hope Solo and Alex Morgan starting and Sydney Leroux coming on as a sub. The 1-0 loss meant that the US wouldn't be making the final for the first time in 10 years and would instead face Sweden in the 3rd-place match.

Morgan Hat Trick - The team bounced back nicely in the 3rd place match by beating Sweden 4-0, thanks in large part to a hat trick from Morgan which included a sweet chip shot. Solo took this game off, but Leroux had another substitute appearance. Enjoy some highlights:

Sounders Sign Deines - Another WPS orphan has been scooped up by the Sounders, and this one is a natural fit. Kate Deines graduated last season from the UW after playing 86 games for the Huskies — the most capped player in this history of the program. Last summer she played on the U-23 national team and this winter was drafted by the Atlanta Beat of the WPS. But this season she'll suit up in the Rave Green.

Colorado Rapids Join The Club - This week the Rapids announced that they would be partnering with a women's team as well. The Colorado Force have been in the W-League since 2003, but now they'll be named the Rapids Women and like the Sounders Women will be branded more closely with the MLS franchise. That means that the W-League Western Division will have 3 teams associated with MLS franchises, as the Rapids will be joining the Sounders and the Whitecaps.

Welcome SounderMom - SounderMom, who does her blogging over here will be helping us cover the Sounders Women this season. So welcome her to the site.