NEWS » not robot umpires. They shouldnt d

The United States is a real threat to return to the podium in womens field hockey.The Americans finished third in Los Angeles in 1984 but havent medaled since, despite qualifying for the Games in 2008 and 2012.There are signs that a breakthrough might be near. The U.S. won the Pan-Am Games in 2015, beating perennial power Argentina in the final. In the Champions Tournament in June, the United States finished third, despite being the lowest-ranked of the six entrants. Included were draws against No. 3 Australia and No. 4 New Zealand in pool play and a win over Australia in the third-place match.The U.S. is No. 5 in the latest FIH world rankings, its highest slot ever. The squad plans to challenge Australia and New Zealand, as well as No. 1 Netherlands and No. 2 Argentina, next month.Last month, we were able to show the world that we are at a point where were reaching our goals, forward Katie Bam said. Were stepping up and were taking it to teams that are ranked higher than us, and we are playing without fear, and we are winning those games.A critical part of coach Craig Parnhams plan when he took over in 2013 was to make sure the players clearly defined what they wanted to accomplish. They met for 2 1/2 hours and agreed that the word united needed to be more than just a part of their countrys name.We want this program to be number one in the world, midfielder Rachel Dawson said. We understand that the only way that were going to do that is by doing it together, by each of us bringing our individual strengths and making something thats bigger than any of us individually.Dawson has the most caps, with 289. She played on both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic teams.Lauren Crandall is second on the team with 273 caps, and she also heads into her third Olympics. She was fifth in the International Hockey Federation Player of the Year balloting in 2015.Shes hugely experienced and has been through many cycles with the USA, Parnham said. She is a great leader for the team. Not only does she speak well, but more importantly for us, she defines her ability on actions and behaviors. She leads by example and is a real role model for the younger players.Kaitelyn Falgowski, a midfielder who also will play in her third Olympics, has 225 caps.The Americans plan to improve on their 12th-place finish in London in 2012.I think a lot can happen in four years, Falgowski said. Thats one of the biggest things going forward, is this is a new team. The lessons weve learned over the past four years have really prepared us going into Rio for any mindset. Were still writing our own script, and in London, we may have finished 12th, but were going in with a fresh start in Rio, and I think thats something that were all prepared for and excited to be able to do.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter (at)CliffBruntAPCheap Football NCAA Jerseys . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Fake NCAA Jerseys .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. https://www.chinajerseysncaa.us/ . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. Cheap Basketball College Jerseys . Perhaps Carroll was so prepared for a break because he believes there is very little the Seattle Seahawks need heading into the off-season. "I dont see anything that we need to add. We just have to get better," Carroll said. Clearance NCAA Jerseys . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete.In the latest Burning Questions,?Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez opened up about a lot of things, but there is one topic he refused to comment on.Who was your favorite player growing up? Hernandez:?Freddy Garcia and Pedro Martinez.Who is your favorite player to watch today (not a teammate)? Hernandez:?Not a teammate? Why not? (Laughs). Mike Trout. Him and Miguel Cabrera. But I watch Trout doing his stuff in center field, running baseballs down. For me, I mean, I live down in the zone, and his swing, I mean, every down ball he can just reach out. Thats what tough for me.Who is your most underrated teammate? Hernandez:?Right now? I would say Franklin [Gutierrez]. Hes pretty good. Were really close. We have a good relationship. On the field and off the field, we talk about everything. Being around him and what hes been through the last few years, Im his friend. Im always with him. I say, You dont make any plays for me. Hes like, Dude, Ive got everythingg here.dddddddddddd I can show you. Every time you pitch, I make one play.One rule you would change?Hernandez:?I dont know about that one. Its a tough one. I would say, not replays, but not robot umpires. They shouldnt do that. Thats a bad idea for the pitchers. I like replay. Man, if they get it right, yeah. Its better for the teams if they get it right.Who is ultimately responsible for policing the game? Players, manager, umpires, league? Hernandez:?Skipper. He talks to the players and then they get together.How big of a problem are PEDs in todays game? Hernandez:?I want [to make] no comments about that.What is something that people dont know about you or have wrong about you?Hernandez:?Im a good person. They dont think it when they see me pitch. They think Im a mean guy. (Laughs). But off the field, Im a really good person. ' ' '