TAKE A BOW ENIOLA ALUKO

Eniola Aluko.....is making more than just a splash in the WPS. More a tidal wave. At least to Athletica.

The English international has emerged as one of the best players in the league and once again had a very busy week where she has played for England in England and played twice for Saint Louis Athletica in the USA. Playing more or less the full 90 minutes in all 3 matches.

This shows she is viewed as a very important player for club and country.

On Wednesday night another goal by Aluko against Sky Blue FC has taken Athletica one step closer to clinching a playoff spot. The goal is Aluko's 5 th of the season. She is comfortably in the top 10 scorers chart of the WP, hanging with the likes of Marta, Cristiane, Natasha Kai, Christine Sinclair and English national teamate Kelly Smith.

Athletica have scored a total 14 goals this season. Not only has Eniola scored 5 of those goals she has assisted on a further 4 earning praise from other coaches in the WPS and Athletica coach Jorge Barcellos who said that she is a very important player for Athletica and they will miss her when she leaves for the Euro's in August.
Athletica captain Lori Chalupny also has high praise for Aluko.

"You can see why she's done so well in this league,She's so good at taking people on (one on one), she's so confident in turning with the ball. Her shot, she's got a real quick release. It's unlike anything I've seen, how quick she gets her shot off."

For England Aluko has scored 6 goals in 38 appearances. With the confidence from her WPS season behind her we are betting Eniola Aluko will also be making a splash in Finland at Euro 2009. A tidal Wave no less!


Paul Taylor