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As Mumbai Indians travel to Bangalore, a ground on which they have held sway against the home team, they would hope that the turnaround they have been hoping for finally happens

The Preview by Devashish Fuloria18-Apr-2015Match factsSunday, April 19, 2015
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)2:46

Agarkar: Royal Challengers bowling as bad as Mumbai’s

Big pictureJust like last year, Mumbai Indians are desperate again. With four losses in four games, it’s almost as bad a start as it was in the 2014 edition. But as they travel to Bangalore, a ground on which they have held sway against the home team, they would hope that the turnaround they have been hoping for finally happens. Another loss and it will be 2014 all over again.Despite their power-hitters finding their range, Mumbai Indians have been struggling, largely due to batting collapses and a bowling line-up that leaks runs. They have made numerous changes to the batting order but are yet to settle on one. Lasith Malinga has not posed the same threat he once used to. So despite putting up decent totals, they have not managed to put any pressure on other batsmen.Mumbai’s worries must sound familiar to Royal Challengers Bangalore. Although Royal Challengers have a win from their two outings, their bowling is similarly profligate and Virat Kohli has said more than once that the team is eagerly waiting for the arrival of Mitchell Starc. Darren Sammy has said Starc could be available for Royal Challengers’ next game if not against Mumbai Indians. Their batting, too, can be worrying at times as the onus of scoring mostly rests on three batsmen.The match promises to be a slugfest between big-hitters, and is most likely to be decided by a bowling attack that makes fewer mistakes.Watch out for…Even though Royal Challenges have spent a fortune on Dinesh Karthik, he is not their top batsman. He is not even third in the list. But he has a specific role: to be the second-line of attack, an insurance in case Chris Gayle or AB de Villiers do not fire. In the two previous games, he has added only 15 runs. Royal Challengers would ignore those two failures for now, but they would want him to fire sooner rather than later.After being almost invisible in the first two matches, Kieron Pollard made a smashing impact in the next two games with ferocious hitting. It’s hard to pick which of his innings was better, but with big holes in their batting, Mumbai can do with another one of those, especially if Starc, who has a history of altercation with Pollard, plays.Stats and trivia In the list of IPL batsmen with best strike rates (min. 500 runs), Glenn Maxwell sits on the top followed by Virender Sehwag and Chris Gayle. But the fourth name may come as a surprise for some. It is Harbhajan Singh, whose strike rate of 152.88 is better than David Miller and Yusuf Pathan. Harbhajan will also become the 11th player to 100 IPL matches Royal Challengers have a 7-8 win-loss record against Mumbai Indians. In Bangalore though, those numbers take a hit with only one win for the home team in four games against Mumbai Indians. Among the top-ten run-scorers in the IPL, Virat Kohli’s strike rate of 123.38 is only better than Sachin Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis Chris Gayle has 200 sixes in the IPL, 64 more than the next batsman – Suresh Raina. Ninety-two of those sixes have come at the ChinnaswamyQuotes”Over the years I have watched RCB play and I have seen that the more fearlessly they play, the better they perform. That is something the captain has been preaching – to play fearless and bold cricket and we are going to do that tomorrow.”

Angus Robson struck his first century of the season as Leicestershire ended the second day at Chelmsford as favourites to claim a long-overdue victory.

ECB/PA01-Jun-2015
ScorecardAngus Robson made a determined ton to push Leicestershire ahead•Getty ImagesAngus Robson struck his first century of the season as Leicestershire ended the second day at Chelmsford as favourites to claim a long-overdue victory. The Australian-born opener, made 120 out of a total of 280 to earn a first-innings lead of 114 and then watched his new ball bowlers remove both Essex openers before the close.Robson anchored the innings for just over five and a half hours while collecting 15 boundaries before he was ninth out when he edged Jesse Ryder to Nick Browne at first slip. He showed immense discipline during his marathon effort and needed all his concentration to keep the visitors afloat while the Essex seam attack picked up wickets at regular intervals on a pitch that gave them help, although it did not pose the sort of problems experienced on the opening day.Robson shared in an opening stand of 58 with Matt Boyce but his most productive partnership featured Clint McKay, who adopted a carefree approach while contributing 45 in a partnership of 74 in 16 overs. McKay’s runs came from 59 deliveries with the help of six fours and a six before he chanced his arm once too often and was bowled by Ravi Bopara.Earlier Graham Napier destroyed the middle-order with a devastating 21-ball spell in which he picked up three wickets for seven runs as the visitors subsided to 170 for 6 after passing the 150 mark with only three wickets down. But those setbacks did not ruffle Robson who occasionally broke from his watchful defence to produce several sweetly-timed strokes either side of the wicket.Fast bowler Jamie Porter, who did the early damage, finished with 3 for 69 while Napier returned figures of 3 for 63. There was also a wicket for debutant Aron Nijjar, the left-arm spinner having Tom Wells caught in the covers.Essex soon ran into trouble when they went in again. Nick Browne’s poor run of form continued when he caught at bat-pad off McKay for only 2, and soon afterwards, Jaik Mickleburgh was bowled by Ben Raine who had claimed a career-best five-wickets haul on the opening day. That left Essex in serious trouble at 16 for 2 but Tom Westley and Bopara steered clear of further trouble before the close. But it will take a monumental effort by the home side if they are to deny their opponents a first victory in 38 Championship games.”In terms of the match situation, it was the most important innings I’ve played,” Leicestershire centurion Robson said. “It was a good cricket wicket – one you could trust but one on which you never quite felt you were really in because the ball did a bit at times. But we are now ahead of the game and hopefully, we can press home our advantage. But there is still a lot of hard work ahead because Essex have a strong batting line-up to get right back in it.”Paul Grayson commented: “We would have liked to have restricted them to a lead of around 50 but the stand between Robson and McKay put paid to that. We are not out of it but I feel we will need to bat all day tomorrow and if we can leave them a target of around 220, we can still win.”

Michael Clarke underlined his side must stick to the methods that have reaped benefits in the past, which includes an aggressive, occasionally unsociable manner on the field

Daniel Brettig in Cardiff07-Jul-2015New England, old Australia. Michael Clarke has underlined the fact that in the face of an evolving opponent, his touring side must stick to the methods that have reaped significant success over the past 18 months – and that includes an aggressive, occasionally unsociable manner on the field.Both sides have been told at the pre-series meeting with match officials that the ICC will not tolerate too much in the way of verbal stoushes, something David Warner appears to have taken note of. But Clarke said he did not want to see his side shrink from the outwardly bold and brash attitude they have combined with a high level of skill and plenty of determination in series wins over England, South Africa and India, plus a World Cup victory at home.Nor does he mind if the English press – or even some Australian outlets – paint his men as the latest incarnation of the “ugly Aussies” panned in broadsheets and tabloids alike at times during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. On the contrary, he thinks such talk will only help add to the edge in the air when the Investec Ashes series begins.”I know we play a tough brand of cricket but we’re also respectful towards the players we play against, and to the game of cricket,”Clarke said. “A lot of it sells newspapers and it builds the series as well, so I’m more than happy for there to be a lot of talk about it.It’s entertaining for the people who are going to be at home watching or come to the ground to watch.”I think everyone knows where the line is. In the last Ashes series if anyone overstepped it, it was me so I have to make sure I set my standard and have the discipline to stay there as well, which I know I will. You definitely need to respect the laws of the game, you can play hard but play fair. You don’t have to sledge to play tough cricket. It’s as much about body language and intent and attitude as it is about verbal stuff that comes out of your mouth.”I’ve learned from what’s happened in the past, and the boys know how we play our best cricket. This Australian team, and any Australian team I’ve been part of, has always played tough cricket on the field but also understood and respected there’s a line there. As long as the boys respect that I’ll be happy.”Having played under bright sunshine in Canterbury and Chelmsford, Clarke’s men were confronted by a pea soup of a day in Cardiff two days out from the first Test, and found the ball swinging and seaming lavishly in the nets. For now there is plenty of grass on the match strip, leaving the selectors Darren Lehmann and Rod Marsh to ponder their options. Batting wise the experience of Clarke, Chris Rogers, Adam Voges and Shane Watson in English conditions will be critical, and among the bowlers Peter Siddle is now under some consideration.”It’s got a lot of grass on it. It’s surprising how much grass is on it,” Clarke said. “So I think if it stays that way it’s going to be interesting to see how it plays. I think it’ll come down to what England are after. If they’re worried about spin bowling, they’ll leave more grass on it. If they’re worried about pace, it’ll have a bit more moisture in it.”From what I’m see today and what the groundsman’s telling me, I think we’re going to see some sideways movement from the fast bowlers.”On his fourth Ashes tour, Clarke said he had learned to look as much at the skies as the pitch when deciding how to approach an English Test match. “A lot of grounds around the world you look at the pitch before deciding whether you’re going to bat or bowl first. In the UK you look above more than at the wicket,” he said. “When it’s overcast you see a lot more movement around the country and when the sun’s out it can be a really nice place to bat.”The other thing is in conditions like that, once you get in as batsman you have to go on and make a big score. You’re never out of the game as a bowler, there’s always something there – whether it’s the slope at Lord’s or you get some overhead conditions, or you take the second new ball. There’s always an opportunity with the Duke ball.”So as a batter you need to know that. In Australia when you feel like you’re batting well and get to 40 and 50, things become a little bit easier. Sometimes here it’s not the case, you’ve got to work your backside off for your whole innings.”There is not a member of Clarke’s team unaware of the fact Australia have not won the Ashes in England since 2001, and without Ryan Harris that task has been made harder. Nevertheless, they have plenty of experience, and a method they trust. Now all they need is Wednesday to arrive.

Justice RM Lodha, who headed the committee that served a two-year suspension on the owners of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, has said the BCCI is free to terminate the franchises

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jul-20152:28

Ugra: Terminating CSK, Royals will give BCCI options

Justice RM Lodha, who headed the committee that served a two-year suspension on the owners of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals, has said the BCCI is free to terminate the franchises. His statement comes in the wake of much public confusion in interpreting this aspect of the committee’s report – specifically over the extent to which the BCCI can act against the two franchises as follow-up to the committee’s decision.”It is for the BCCI to consider terminating the teams and the Supreme Court judgment is clear on that. The BCCI can do that,” Justice Lodha told news channel .On why the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha committee itself didn’t ban the franchise, Justice Lodha said that would have exceeded its remit. “We have been appointed as a disciplinary committee and [Clause] 11.3 deals with contractual obligation and that has to be dealt by BCCI, so we can’t go into it.”Clause 11.3 (c) of the BCCI-IPL franchise agreement mentions the agreement can be terminated if “the Franchise, any Franchise Group Company and/or any owner acts in any way which has a material adverse effect upon the reputation or standing of the League, BCCI-IPL, BCCI, the Franchise, the team (or any other team in the League) and/or the game of cricket.”Lodha’s statement should end the prevailing ambiguity within the BCCI as far as the process of termination goes. Most BCCI officials ESPNcricinfo spoke to were unaware of whether the BCCI was empowered to terminate the franchises, and confined themselves to saying they would strictly abide by the Lodha Committee order.Rajeev Shukla, the chairman of the IPL governing council, was similarly non-committal about whether termination was an imminent step. “We can’t comment about it because as we have read the report they have suspended it for two years,” he told NDTV. “When the implementation part will come, we will go by the recommendations of the Lodha Commission report, and that will be decided by the Governing Council and the Working Committee.”Other BCCI officials, too, have over the past two days been reluctant to entertain thoughts of termination.”The Lodha Committee has clearly said what has to be done,” a BCCI official said. “We will abide by it. But, I don’t think we will terminate CSK and RR. We will strictly follow what the Lodha report has said.”Lodha’s statement is expected to throw into the mix the possibility of termination of the two franchises as the IPL governing council meets on July 19.

Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann has insisted that Shane Watson’s Test career is not over after he was replaced by Mitchell Marsh for the second Ashes Test

Daniel Brettig at Lord's16-Jul-2015Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann has insisted that Shane Watson’s Test career is not over despite being replaced by Mitchell Marsh for the critical Lord’s Test.Lehmann stated that Watson had only narrowly won selection for the first Test at Cardiff, and after a poor match in which he was twice out cheaply lbw and was unable to take a wicket, the selectors decided the younger Marsh deserved a chance having made two centuries in the warm-up matches.”Obviously Shane has been a little bit disappointing with his runs and it’s a tight call,” Lehmann said before play on day one. “He’s been an experienced player for us. Mitch Marsh has done everything we could ask for behind scenes and first two tour games he’s in good form.”Tight call first Test, we went with experience, this Test we’ve gone with Mitch Marsh. Tough call on Shane but I’m sure he’s got plenty of cricket left in him.”Many have concluded this decision marks the end of Watson’s time in the Test side, but Lehmann said the allrounder could still win his way back into the XI on this tour if he presses a hard enough case in the remaining tour matches. Lehmann drew parallels with the World Cup earlier this year, when Watson was dropped for Marsh midway through the tournament and then reinstated.”I think it’s a case of him getting back and obviously got a county game next week he’ll play in and try find some form back and keep putting his name in front of selectors,” Lehmann said. “A chance very much like the World Cup where he got dropped and came back into side, so really form will dictate what Shane does.”Whatever happens in Watson’s Test match future, he remains a central player in the ODI and Twenty20 teams, meaning he is likely to be around the national squads for some time yet.With Mitchell Starc passed fit, the Australians made two changes to the team for Lord’s, also bringing in wicketkeeper Peter Nevill for his Test debut in place of the unavailable Brad Haddin. Nevill’s cap was presented to him by a fellow New South Welshman in Steve Waugh.”Player 443 for us and gets his cap presented by Steve Waugh, one of the greats of the game,” Lehmann said. “We wish him a great and long career.”

Steve Kirby, once reputed as one of the most passionate competitors in cricket, not averse to a famous sledge or two, has been appointed as head coach of MCC

David Hopps04-Apr-2016Steve Kirby, once reputed as one of the most passionate competitors in cricket, not averse to a famous sledge or two, has been appointed as head coach of MCC, proof perhaps that even the wildest players mature into establishment jobs and the MCC, these days at least, has a broader attitude to life.Kirby, a ginger-haired never-say-die pace bowler for Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and Somerset, will oversee all aspects of the MCC’s coaching structures, including the MCC Young Cricketers, who compete in the 2nd XI Championship, the MCC Academy based at Lord’s and the Club’s burgeoning community coaching programmes.He will assume the role in late April, replacing Mark Alleyne, whose seven-year term has ended. His “infectious love of cricket”, as cited by the MCC, is bound to challenge the next generation of players in ways they have yet to imagine.Kirby’s most famous outburst – and he must be weary of hearing it – was allegedly when he informed Michael Atherton that he had “seen better players in my fridge” – an assessment that as far as is known he has never fully explained. Perhaps alongside the milk and the probiotic yogurt he had a perishable figure of Wally Hammond?The player himself later gave his own version of what passed, suggesting that the sledge had actually been “I’ve seen better batters in my fish and chip shop,” which sounded a little more logical.The irresistible vision cannot be resisted of future players in MCC caps lambasting their opponents in colourful language that has rarely entered the annals of the most famous private cricket club in England. It is doubtless unfair, because Kirby has many qualities, but it is irresistible all the same.There were few more committed cricketers than Kirby and his sheer love of the game is sure to be communicated to the next generation of MCC cricketers.With less ambition, he would never have made the grade. He began his career at Leicestershire as a 17-year-old but after suffering a back injury was released from the before playing a first-class match.His first-class debut for Yorkshire in 2001 was a revelation – not just because he was born in Lancashire, on the other side of the Pennines. He took 7-50 on his first-class debut and amassed 47 wickets at just over 20 runs apiece in a championship-winning season. Raw of bone and unpretentious of nature, he was instantly one of the fastest bowlers in England, obsessively committed to attack, stomping through the season with the gait of an American gold prospector.Yorkshire released Kirby three years later at his own request. His future was in doubt, Kirby would go on to take 572 first-class wickets for three counties in a fourteen-year playing career. His sheer desire won him four England A tours. That England debut never came and, on balance, he could not fairly complain..Kirby has been a Member of MCC since 2010 and played in the annual Champion County match on four occasions, taking 5 for 29 against Nottinghamshire in Abu Dhabi in 2011. He has represented MCC on overseas tours to Papua New Guinea and Fiji and also to Argentina. His coaching experience has been earned with county academies at Oxford MCC University and by heading community coaching programmes throughout the South-West.John Stephenson, MCC’s head of cricket, said: “Steve’s passion for the role and for MCC shone through and this was a key reason why we decided to appoint him. He has energy, drive and commitment in spades and his ambition to drive forward all the club’s coaching structures was clear throughout the robust interview process.”With a successful playing career and impressive coaching credentials, we feel we have, in Steve, someone who is going to really inspire young cricketers of all ages either to take up the game or to take their game to the next level.”His infectious love of cricket will also rub off on our MCC Academy and Community coaches and we very much look forward to him joining the staff as we start another busy cricket season.”Kirby said: “Words can’t describe how excited I am to be taking on such a prestigious role of MCC head coach and I can’t wait to get started. Mark Alleyne did a tremendous job over the previous seven years and they are very big boots to fill.”This role is about helping to unearth the hidden talent of young players from all age groups and backgrounds, helping them to excel in their dreams of playing professional cricket but most importantly helping them to become truly well-rounded confident people who can cope with any hurdle that life throws at them.”I want to teach them to treasure and respect the values MCC stands for within the game, nurturing them to be role models and ambassadors that MCC can be proud of, but most importantly that they are extremely proud to say they are a real part of.”

The ninth season kicks off by pitting the defending champions Mumbai Indians against the newcomer Rising Pune Supergiants. MS Dhoni’s been put front and centre, and so is the best batting track in the country

The Preview by Alagappan Muthu08-Apr-20165:23

Nannes: Pune are light on Indian batsmen

Match factsSaturday, April 9, 2016
Start time 20:00 local (14:30 GMT)Big pictureThere were 1, 676, 013 page views of an article on ESPNcricinfo titled “List of players sold and unsold in IPL 2016.” Even last year, with the World Cup in full swing and with no shortage of content on the site, it was this simple collection of player names and the IPL teams they would suit up for that got top billing. Based on sheer public interest – a vital measure – the Indian Premier League is a thing of incredulity.And the ninth season kicks off by pitting the defending champions Mumbai Indians against newcomers Rising Pune Supergiants. MS Dhoni has been put front and centre, and so has the best batting track in the country. Amid all the criticism that the tournament endures, the organisers certainly do know how to sell it and the audience are quite happy to buy into it.The following in Rajasthan and Chennai might just have diminished, though. So how can that be countered? By feeding off a rivalry that has defined the IPL, of course. Mumbai are the only team that has a favourable win-loss record against the suspended Chennai Super Kings, whose key figures – captain Dhoni, lead spinner R Ashwin and head coach Stephen Fleming – have broken away to form the core of the Supergiants.The world’s best will be in action again, a mere six days after a World T20 where new heroes emerged, low-scoring matches were still competitive and, despite the host nation being knocked out, the final was played at Eden Gardens in front of a near-capacity crowd. The finish – how did it go down again? Ah yes – with a flurry of sixes, a commentator screaming, and a team emerging from damn near unwinnable situations to become champions was very IPL. It’s immensely hard to imagine that being matched, but never say never with this tournament.In the spotlight…Mumbai made only seven purchases at the auction, and Jos Buttler was their most expensive buy. His price soared to INR 3.8 crore, despite his limited experience in India, purely because of his ability as a 360-degree player. Now he has had the experience of playing in these conditions – for a world championship no less – and his presence in the middle order may just free up Rohit Sharma to play in his preferred opening slot.The English presence this IPL season is reasonably strong. And even at the age of 35 and with only franchise cricket to sustain himself, Kevin Pietersen was among the best batsmen in the Big Bash League 2015-16. Only two men scored more than his 323 runs and none matched his four fifties in nine matches.Team newsLasith Malinga’s injury might mean Mitchell McClenaghan would be tasked with leading the Mumbai attack, especially considering Tim Southee has not played international cricket in over a month. The other choice Mumbai may need to make is between Kieron Pollard, who has just recovered from injury, and Corey Anderson, who has been out of form, in the XI. Harbhajan Singh will likely be their lead spinner, but which of J Suchith, Krunal Pandya (both left-arm spinners) and Kishore Kamath (the legspinner who was bought for INR 1.4 crores) will partner him?Mumbai Indians (probable) 1 Lendl Simmons, 2 Rohit Sharma (capt), 3 Unmukt Chand, 4 Ambati Rayudu, 5 Jos Buttler, (wk), 6 Kieron Pollard, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 J Suchith/ Krunal Pandya/ Kishore Kamath, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Mitchell McClenaghanSupergiants might be relying on their overseas roster for batting strength and their Indian recruits to shore up the bowling. They appear rather light on spinners and might have to rope in rookie M Ashwin to partner his namesake.Rising Pune Supergiants (probable) 1 Ajinkya Rahane, 2 Kevin Pietersen, 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 Steven Smith, 5 MS Dhoni (capt and wk), 6 Mitchell Marsh, 7 R Ashwin, 8 Irfan Pathan/ Ashok Dinda, 9 Ishant Sharma, 10 Ishwar Pandey, 11 M AshwinPitch and conditionsWankhede Stadium has been a fortress for Rohit and his men and – for the moment, and after much trouble – they can exploit all the advantages it brings. The weather should be fair and the surface should be batting friendly.Stats and trivia Rohit has 995 runs as opener in 34 T20s, including a century and seven fifties. However, he has opened for Mumbai only four times. R Ashwin has 188 wickets in 179 matches, the most by an Indian in T20s.

GettyKevin De BruyneIt may seem unfair, but De Bruyne's bid for glory is hampered by his lack of goals. The dominance of the current top two has raised the bar in terms of attacking output – setting up chances for others helps, but scoring yourself for a successful side clinches the deal. At least the Belgian is at a club with lofty ambitions, as Manchester City look capable of becoming a European superpower with Pep Guardiola at the helm.AdvertisementGetty ImagesPaulo DybalaWhile Dybala is a key figure for Juventus right now, his Ballon d'Or hopes in the long run rely on the opportunity to replace Messi in the Argentina team. Still, at 24, there's no need for the forward to panic. Helping the Bianconeri reach the Champions League final last season helped raise Dybala's profile, while he started the current Serie A campaign with a blistering spell of 10 goals in six games. If he can maintain that hot streak over an extended period, voters will be forced to take notice.Getty ImagesEden Hazard

Hazard has dazzled in the Premier League with Chelsea, helping his club secure the title twice while being named in the PFA Team of the Year in four of his five seasons in England. However, for all his brilliance in a blue shirt in recent years, the Belgian is yet to crack the top six in the Ballon voting in his career. Consistently linked with Real Madrid, the 26-year-old may feel a move to one of the big two in Spain might boost his chances of claiming the honour.

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GettyNeymarViewed by many as the third best player in the world right now, Neymar is the obvious choice here. The Brazilian, who finished third in 2015 and fifth last year before returning to the top three in 2017, is no longer in the shadow of Messi at Barcelona, with his world-record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain allowing him to break out on his own. The forward's move outside of Spain should allow him to make a stronger case to win the trophy too, even if Ligue 1 is viewed as a step down from La Liga.

France Football have unveiled their top 50 best coaches in football history – who makes the grade?

In explaining their rankings, stated that they chose three main criteria – "club winners, track and inheritance left on the game, personality – in addition to a fourth: the duration and impact of the career".

Goal has rounded the full list below.

Getty50Jean-Claude SuaudeauSuaudeau is the ex-coach of Nantes, managing the senior side from 1982 to 1988. From 1991 to 1997, he won the championship twice with titles in 1983 and 1995.AdvertisementGetty Images49Antonio ConteWon three consecutive Serie A titles at Juventus before taking charge of the Italian national team in 2014 until the Euro 2016 campaign. Conte also won the Premier League with Chelsea in his first season managing the club.Getty Images48Marcelo BielsaBielsa developed his career as coach of Newell's Old Boys in Argentina, leading that team to several trophies in the early 1990s. He then moved to Mexico in 1992, briefly coaching Club Atlas and Club America. He now manages Leeds.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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GETTY47Raymond GoethalsLed Marseille to victory in the Champions League final in 1993, and in doing so, became the first manager to win European trophy with a French club.

The U.S. has had no shortage of great players in its history, making it quite a challenge to narrow down the best of them all

The United States is the most successful women's national team of all time – and it isn't really close. 

There have been six women's Olympic tournaments. The USWNT has won four of them.

There have been eight Women's World Cups. The USWNT has won four of those as well. 

Put together, the USWNT has won more than half of the major women's international competitions of the modern era. Naturally, there have been some legendary players that have helped the team to its major success. 

Here, Goal counts down the 20 greatest USWNT players of all time. 

Getty ImagesBriana Scurry – GoalkeeperA two-time Olympic gold medalist and 1999 World Cup winner, Scurry set the standard for American goalkeepers in the 1990s and 2000s. Her 175 caps are the second-most for any American goalkeeper. AdvertisementPedro VilelaHope Solo – GoalkeeperEqual parts prolific and controversial, Solo won two Olympic gold medals and led the USWNT to the 2015 World Cup while redefining the goalkeeper position. Solo made 202 appearances during her U.S. career – the only goalkeeper to ever surpass 200 caps. Charles LeClaireChristie Pearce Rampone – DefenderPearce Rampone played in five World Cups and four Olympics, bridging the gap between the generation of Hamm and Foudy to Morgan and Wambach. With 311 appearances, she is the second-most capped player in women's international soccer history.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty ImagesJoy Fawcett – DefenderFawcett helped anchor the USWNT defense from her first cap in 1987 all the way through the early 2000s. She was a key part of four World Cup squads, winning the title in 1991 and 1999, while only being yellow carded twice and receiving no red cards in her 241 caps.