Women's national team and US Soccer intensify talks (The Associated Press)

Talks between the U.S. women's national team players and the U.S. Soccer Federation intensified over the weekend in the ongoing effort to reach a deal on a new contract. The latest negotiations come on the heels of an agreement between USA Hockey and its women's national team for better compensation following a threat by players to boycott the world championships. ''There is no question that women athletes around the world are sending a strong message,'' said Molly Levinson, spokeswoman for the U.S. Women's National Team Players Association.