Tarpley first appeared for the senior team on January 12, 2003 against Japan. Her first (and second) goal came a little over a year later on January 30, 2004 against Sweden. She appeared in the 2004 and 2008 editions of the Olympic Games, winning a gold medal in each trip. She has also played in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, in which the United States finished third. She earned her 100th cap on July 16, 2008 against Brazil in the last game before the 2008 Olympics, the 23rd player in USWNT history to reach this feat.