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)CliffBruntAP Cheap Vapormax 3 . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. Vapormax Flyknit Clearance . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. http://www.clearancevapormax.com/ . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losing heavily to Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. Fake Off White Vapormax . Didier Drogba gave away the penalty that put Senegal one goal away from a major upset, but the veteran striker will get another chance -- probably his last -- at the World Cup after Salomon Kalous injury-time strike sealed the Ivorians place in Brazil next year. Fake Vapormax 2019 . The lawyers filed a 33-page amended complaint Tuesday in federal court in Manhattan, expanding on the suit originally filed Oct. 3 in New York Supreme Court. Arbitrator Fredric Horowitz last week refused to compel Selig to testify in the grievance, and Rodriguez then walked out of the hearing without testifying. OAKLAND, Calif. -- Mark Trumbo hit a grand slam for his major league-leading 32nd homer and drove in five runs as the Baltimore Orioles beat the Oakland Athletics 9-6 Thursday to avoid a four-game sweep.The Orioles had been shut out for 17 straight innings and lost their lead in the AL East following three consecutive one-run losses before Trumbo sparked them.The All-Star slugger hit an RBI single in a three-run fourth, then connected the next inning for his third career grand slam.Chris Tillman (15-4) allowed two runs over seven innings for his first victory since July 21. He is Baltimores first 15-game winner since Bud Norris and Wei-Yin Chen in 2014.Zach Britton retired three batters for his AL-leading 35th save this season and his 37th consecutive dating to last season. The As loaded the bases in the ninth after a replay overturn before Britton got Danny Valencia to ground out to end it.Andrew Triggs (0-1) was the eighth different starter in eight games for the As.Triggs was pressed into duty because of Oaklands injury-riddled rotation. He gave up three runs in four innings.Adam Jones homered for the Orioles and Pedro Alvarez drove in three runs.Ryon Healy and Max Muncy homered for the As. Yonder Alonso doubled in two runs.STOP, DROP AND ROLLIn addition too his home run, Healy also made a stellar defensive play.dddddddddddd. The rookie third baseman made a diving stop of Manny Machados hard-hit grounder in the first, then tumbled and rolled as he hit the infield dirt. Healy did a second 360-turn as he stood up and threw to first for the out.TRAINERS ROOMOrioles: SS J.J. Hardy was given the day off, his first since July 24th. ... Manager Buck Showalter said a decision will be made soon whether to put OF Steve Pearce on the disabled list. Pearce received a cortisone injection in his right forearm earlier in the week but continues to be bothered by a flexor mass strain.Athletics: RHP Jesse Hahn (strained right shoulder) will throw in the next few days and is likely to make one rehab start while on the disabled list before returning to the big league club.UP NEXTOrioles: RHP Dylan Bundy (5-3) pitches against the Giants in San Francisco on Friday. It will be his second career start in an interleague game.Athletics: LHP Sean Manaea (3-7) faces Seattle in the opener of a three-game series in Oakland on Friday. He is winless over his previous six outings despite a 2.58 ERA during that span. ' ' '