Recently in U.S. Soccer Category

Brittany Bock has been called up to the U.S. women's national soccer team. In preparation for the next World Cup, the team's first match is May 20 against Japan.

A foot injury continues to keep Neuqua Valley senior Alexa Gaul from her goalie position with the U.S. U-17 Women's National Team at the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in New Zealand.

But the U.S. soccer team is winning without her, thanks to South Elgin's Taylor Vancil, who has started in place of Gaul. The U.S. defeated Korea Republic 4-2 in the quarterfinals over the weekend.

Next up for the U.S. is Germany in the semifinals early Thursday morning. Game time is midnight here, but 7 p.m. in New Zealand. You can follow the team's progress here.

Technical problems in New Zealand prevented Neuqua Valley senior Alexa Gaul from transmitting her first blog entry for The Heat Index. But that's the least of the concerns for Gaul, the goalie for the U-17 U.S. women's national team competing in the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.