WPS Draft & PUMA Party Highlights

Here is a taste to some of the goings on on Friday at the 2010 WPS draft & unveiling of the new Puma uniforms.
The season can start now...please..can't wait.

LA SOL UP FOR SALE?

The Los Angeles Sol we here today are looking for new owners and a new coach.

Anschutz Entertainment group (AEG), which had a 50 percent share in the team that played at AEG-owned Home Depot Center, has been in discussions "for months" with an unidentified party to sell its stake. Well they did say they were not in it for the long haul ...but really!Just one season..what was the point.

Head Coach Abner Rogers left the team on 23 December 2009. Left or let go? Depends who you ask.General Manager Charlie Naimo has taken over coaching duties from Rogers for the time being.

It's the Sol fans i feel sorry for. They had only just recovered from loosing Camille Abily.
It's going to be a very interesting season for them.

2010 WPS Uniforms

Puma unveiled the 2010 WPS Home and Away uniforms Friday night in Philadelphia. Hosted by the Los Angeles Sol goalkeeper Karina Le Blanc after the WPS Draft, players from all 9 teams mixed with fans and media for a showstopping unveil.

Players on show:

• Atlanta Beat: Leigh Ann Robinson and Tobin Heath
• Boston Breakers: Leslie Osborne and Lauren Cheney
• Chicago Red Stars: Ella Masar and Whitney Engen
• FC Gold Pride: Tiffeny Milbrett and Kelley O’Hara
• Los Angeles Sol: Manya Makoski and Casey Nogueira
• Philadelphia Independence: Amy Rodriguez and Caroline Seger
• Sky Blue FC: Yael Averbuch and Brittany Taylor
• St Louis Athletica: Kendall Fletcher and Angie Kerr(nee Woznuk)
• Washington Freedom: Cat Whitehill and Nikki Marshall

To see the uniforms up close click HERE

Draft results by WPS team

Congratulations to all players picked...next step to make the final 22 woman roster.Pre-season starts in March!

Atlanta Beat

1. Atlanta Beat – Tobin Heath, M, UNC
21. Atlanta Beat – Blakely Mattern, D, South Carolina
23. Atlanta Beat - Shameka Gordon, D/M, West Florida
30. Atlanta Beat – Jill Hutchinson, F, Wake Forest
40. Atlanta Beat – Carrie Patterson, F, Georgia (traded from Philly)
48. Atlanta Beat – Kasey Langdon, F, Oklahoma St.
57. Atlanta Beat – Shaneka Gordon, F, West Florida



Boston Breakers

2. Boston Breakers - Lauren Cheney, F, UCLA
11. Boston Breakers - Alyssa Naeher, GK, Penn State
16. Boston Breakers – Jordan Angeli, D, Santa Clara
34. Boston Breakers – Katherine Reynolds, D, Santa Clara
43. Boston Breakers – Cynthia Morote-Ariza, F, Loyola-Chicago
52. Boston Breakers – Carly Peetz, D, Nebraska
56. Boston Breakers – Gina DiMartino, M/F, Boston College
61. Boston Breakers – Casey Brown, D, Boston University
65. Boston Breakers – Taryn Hemmings, F, Denver


Chicago Red Stars

4. Chicago Red Stars – Whitney Engen, D, North Carolina
15. Chicago Red Stars – Jessica McDonald, F, North Carolina
24. Chicago Red Stars – Kelsey Davis, GK, Portland
33. Chicago Red Stars – Michele Weissenhofer, F, Notre Dame
42. Chicago Red Stars – Sophie Reiser, M/F, Columbia
51. Chicago Red Stars – Fiona O'Sullivan, M/F, San Francisco
60. Chicago Red Stars – Jackie Santacaterina, M, Illinois


FC Gold Pride

3. FC Gold Pride – Kelley O'Hara, F, Stanford
10. FC Gold Pride - Ali Riley, D, Stanford
12. FC Gold Pride - Becky Edwards, D/M, Florida State
20. FC Gold Pride - Kaley Fountain, F, Wake Forest
32. FC Gold Pride – Erin Guthrie, GK, Rutgers
41. FC Gold Pride – Ashley Bowyer, M/D, Ohio State
50. FC Gold Pride – Eilzabeth Harkin, D, Arizona State
59. FC Gold Pride – Lauren Wilmoth, D, UCLA


Los Angeles Sol

5. Los Angeles Sol - Nikki Washington, F, North Carolina
8. Los Angeles Sol - Casey Nogueira, F, North Carolina
9. Los Angeles Sol – Kiersten Dallstream, F, Washington St.
14. Los Angeles Sol - Michelle Enyeart, F, Portland
22. Los Angeles Sol - Kiki Bosio, F, Santa Clara
25. Los Angeles Sol – Estelle Johnson, D, Kansas
38. Los Angeles Sol – Mary Casey, GK, Maryland
47. Los Angeles Sol - Lindsay Browne, M/F, Clemson



Philadelphia Breakers

13. Philadelphia Independence – Malorie Rutledge, M, LSU
31. Philadelphia Independence – Kelly Henderson, D/M, Boston College
39. Philadelphia Independence – Mallori Lofton-Malachi, GK, South Florida
58. Philadelphia Independence – Caitlin Farrell, D, Wake Forest
62. Philadelphia Independence – Danielle Collins, D/M, William & Mary


Sky Blue FC

6. Sky Blue FC – Brittany Taylor, D, Connecticut
26. Sky Blue FC – Katie Schoepfer, F, Penn State
29. Sky Blue FC - Melissa Clarke, M, LSU
35. Sky Blue FC – Danielle Johnson, D, Ole Miss
44. Sky Blue FC – Meagan Snell, F, Santa Clara
49. Sky Blue FC – Jennifer Anzivino, D/M, Rutgers (from Philly)
53. Sky Blue FC – Kelly Isleib, M, Utah


St. Louis Athletica

17. Saint Louis Athletica - Kristina Larsen, F, UCLA
19. Saint Louis Athletica – Ashlyn Harris, GK, North Carolina
28. Saint Louis Athletica – Amanda Poach, M, Santa Clara
37. Saint Louis Athletica – Veronica Perez, M/F, Washington
46. Saint Louis Athletica – Carolyn Blank, M/D, WVU
55. Saint Louis Athletica – Sarah Teegarden, M, Wisconsin-Milwaukee
64. Saint Louis Athletica – Elisabeth Redmond, M, Duke


Washington Freedom

7. Washington Freedom – Nikki Marshall, D/M/F, Colorado
18. Washington Freedom – Carly Dobratz, M, Washington State
27. Washington Freedom – Beverly Goebel, M, Miami
36. Washington Freedom – Kristi Eveland, D, UNC
45. Washington Freedom – Lauren Robertson, GK, Ohio State
54. Washington Freedom – Mara Osher, D/M, Boston University
63. Washington Freedom – Caitline Miskel, M/F, Virginia


Which team done good? Any surprises? Who is not there?

2010 WPS Draft

The 2010 WPS Draft took place on Friday at the Philadelphia Convention Center. All 9 teams of the WPS were represented by Owners, General Managers & Head Coaches.The draft was deep with the best college players on the table.
The Atlanta Beat were first on the board and they picked University of North Carolina(UNC) star Tobin Heath.Other top 5 picks were UCLA forward Lauren Cheney by the Boston Breakers, Stanford goal machine Kelley O'Hara remains in California with FC Gold Pride, UNC pair Whitney Engen and Nikki Washington round out the top 5 drafted to Chicago Red Stars and Los Angeles Sol respectively. Lauren Cheney (above)
Kelley O'Hara (below)

Another UNC star Casey Nogueira, predicted by many experts to be among the top four prospects, slipped to eighth and was snapped up by the Los Angeles Sol where the creative forward could partner up top with Marta for an interesting frontline.

Penn's State Alyssa Naeher was the first goalkeeper selected at No. 11 by the Boston Breakers.

Alyssa Naeher(below)
















In total UNC had 7 players drafted followed by Santa Clara with 5.



FIRST ROUND
1. Atlanta Beat – Tobin Heath, M, UNC
2. Boston Breakers # - Lauren Cheney, F, UCLA
3. FC Gold Pride – Kelley O’Hara, F, Stanford
4. Chicago Red Stars – Whitney Engen, D, North Carolina
5. Los Angeles Sol # - Nikki Washington, F, North Carolina
6. Sky Blue FC – Brittany Taylor, D, Connecticut
7. Washington Freedom – Nikki Marshall, D/M/F, Colorado
8. Los Angeles Sol # - Casey Nogueira, F, North Carolina
9. Los Angeles Sol – Kiersten Dallstream, F, Washington St.
10. FC Gold Pride # - Ali Riley, D, Stanford
11. Boston Breakers # - Alyssa Naeher, GK, Penn State

SECOND ROUND
12. FC Gold Pride # - Becky Edwards, D/M, Florida State
13. Philadelphia Independence – Malorie Rutledge, M, LSU
14. Los Angeles Sol # - Michelle Enyeart, F, Portland
15. Chicago Red Stars – Jessica McDonald, F, North Carolina
16. Boston Breakers – Jordan Angeli, D, Santa Clara
17. Saint Louis Athletica # - Kristina Larsen, F, UCLA
18. Washington Freedom – Carly Dobratz, M, Washington State
19. Saint Louis Athletica – Ashlyn Harris, GK, North Carolina
20. FC Gold Pride # - Kaley Fountain, F, Wake Forest

THIRD ROUND
21. Atlanta Beat – Blakely Mattern, D, South Carolina
22. Los Angeles Sol # - Kiki Bosio, F, Santa Clara
23. Atlanta Beat # - Shameka Gordon, D/M, West Florida
24. Chicago Red Stars – Kelsey Davis, GK, Portland
25. Los Angeles Sol – Estelle Johnson, D, Kansas
26. Sky Blue FC – Katie Schoepfer, F, Penn State
27. Washington Freedom – Beverly Goebel, M, Miami
28. Saint Louis Athletica – Amanda Poach, M, Santa Clara
29. Sky Blue FC # - Melissa Clarke, M, LSU

FOURTH ROUND
30. Atlanta Beat – Jill Hutchinson, F, Wake Forest
31. Philadelphia Independence – Kelly Henderson, D/M, Boston College
32. FC Gold Pride – Erin Guthrie, GK, Rutgers
33. Chicago Red Stars – Michele Weissenhofer, F, Notre Dame
34. Boston Breakers – Katherine Reynolds, D, Santa Clara
35. Sky Blue FC – Danielle Johnson, D, Ole Miss
36. Washington Freedom – Kristi Eveland, D, UNC
37. Saint Louis Athletica – Veronica Perez, M/F, Washington
38. Los Angeles Sol – Mary Casey, GK, Maryland

ROUND FIVE
39. Atlanta Beat – Mallori Lofton-Malachi, GK, South Florida (traded to Philadelphia)
40. Philadelphia Independence – Carrie Patterson, F, Georgia (traded to Atlanta)
41. FC Gold Pride – Ashley Bowyer, M/D, Ohio State
42. Chicago Red Stars – Sophie Reiser, M/F, Columbia
43. Boston Breakers – Cynthia Morote-Ariza, F, Loyola-Chicago
44. Sky Blue FC – Meagan Snell, F, Santa Clara
45. Washington Freedom – Lauren Robertson, GK, Ohio State
46. Saint Louis Athletica – Carolyn Blank, M/D, WVU
47. Los Angeles Sol - Lindsay Browne, M/F, Clemson

ROUND SIX
48. Atlanta Beat – Kasey Langdon, F, Oklahoma St.
49. Philadelphia Independence – Jennifer Anzivino, D/M, Rutgers (to Sky Blue FC)
50. FC Gold Pride – Eilzabeth Harkin, D, Arizona State
51. Chicago Red Stars – Fiona O’Sullivan, M/F, San Francisco
52. Boston Breakers – Carly Peetz, D, Nebraska
53. Sky Blue FC – Kelly Isleib, M, Utah
54. Washington Freedom – Mara Osher, D/M, Boston University
55. Saint Louis Athletica – Sarah Teegarden, M, Wisconsin-Milwaukee
56. Boston Breakers – Gina DiMartino, M/F, Boston College (pick traded from Los Angeles Sol)

ROUND SEVEN
57. Atlanta Beat – Shaneka Gordon, F, West Florida
58. Philadelphia Independence – Caitlin Farrell, D, Wake Forest
59. FC Gold Pride – Lauren Wilmoth, D, UCLA
60. Chicago Red Stars – Jackie Santacaterina, M, Illinois
61. Boston Breakers – Casey Brown, D, Boston University
62. Philadelphia Independence – Danielle Collins, D/M, William & Mary
63. Washington Freedom – Caitline Miskel, M/F, Virginia
64. Saint Louis Athletica – Elisabeth Redmond, M, Duke
65. Boston Breakers – Taryn Hemmings, F, Denver

#via trade

Jillian Loyden to finally be a No1?

The Chicago Red Stars announce the acquisition of former Saint Louis Athletica goalkeeper Jillian Loyden, in exchange for 2009 Red Stars midfielder Lindsay Tarpley.
Loyden, who was Athletica's backup goalkeeper to Hope Solo, played in three matches during the 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season.

Loyden spent the WPS offseason on loan to the Central Coast Mariners of Australia's Westfield W-League, earning W-League Goalkeeper of the Year honors. Loyden posted three shutouts and a 7-2-1 record.
Chicago moved to obtain Loyden after the organization made the decision to release 2009 starting goalkeeper Caroline Jönsson from her contract.

"I am so excited for this opportunity to play at such a well-respected club," Loyden said. "I can't wait to meet my new teammates, get on the field and start working with a great coaching staff toward a very successful 2010 season."

Tarpley currently making her way back from an ACL injury will move to Saint Louis to team up with a few familiar faces in Captain Lori Chalupny, Hope Solo and Tina Ellertson from US WNT & Kendall Fletcher from UNC days.

TOBIN HEATH NO1

The Atlanta Beat picked 20-year-old US midfielder Tobin Heath first overall in the WPS Draft today.
Heath was already favourite to be named 1st pick.
The University Of North Carolina star has had a great season at college level winning another NCAA title with the all conquering Tar Heels, making it 3 in total for herself. She also won U.S. Soccer's Young Female Award for 2009.

“This is incredible,” Heath said. “I heard a lot of things (about possibly being picked first) but you don’t really know until you’re sitting right here. This is going to be a fantastic year.”



Read more on Tobin Heath HERE

Final results of the 2010 WPS Draft to come..stay tuned.

Cristiane resigns for Chicago

The Chicago Red Stars announce the re-signing of Brazilian striker Cristiane for the team's 2010 season.
With the return of Cristiane, the Red Stars have retained 10 players from last season's roster. Included in this group is defender Kate Markgraf, who missed the entire 2009 season because of the birth of twins.

The 24-year-old Cristiane originally was drafted fifth overall by the Red Stars in the first round of the WPS International Draft, and her international success was instantaneous.She led the Red Stars with 7 goals and recorded the only hat trick in WPS history during a 3-1 win over FC Gold Pride on July 12, 2009.Was named to the WPS All-Star Team and helped the WPS side win the WPS All-Star Game, defeating Swedish team UmeaIK, 4-2, on Aug. 30, 2009.

"I am really excited to be able to return to the Chicago Red Stars; they have treated me very well," Cristiane said. "I look forward to helping my team win the league this year. I had many options, but in the end I chose Chicago and the Red Stars because they are a great team, and it feels like home."

"Cristiane is a fan favorite, and we believe our supporters are going to be excited about her return," General Manager Marcia McDermott said.

Monica Ocampo makes it official with Atlanta Beat

After picking up the rights in September last year the Atlanta Beat have now officially signed Mexican international Monica Ocampo.
The former FC Indiana midfielder follows in the footsteps of Mexican Maribel Dominguez who played for the Beat’s former WUSA team from 2001-2003.
The 23 year old comes highly rated and is experienced at international level. She was once a finalist in the 2006 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year.

Beat General Manager Shawn McGee announced "Monica is a tremendous talent for us to pick-up.Not only was she noted as one of the top players in the world, but "she is a proven goal scorer and Mexican soccer star. She will be a great team representative for us in the community, and we believe she will help us both on and off the field of play."

Atlanta's roster is now starting to come together. Ocampo is their 4th international signed up.1 more slot left to be filled. Who will it be?

Abily to FC Gold Pride!! DiMartino to LA

The rumour has been buzzed about all day. Now it's official. French star Camille Abily has been traded by Los Angeles Sol to FC Gold Pride.

The LA Sol acquire midfielder Tina DiMartino, the 14th overall selection in the upcoming draft and the rights to one of the Pride's 2009 discovery internationals. The Pride as well as acquiring Abily get LA's overall 20th pick in the draft.

The Pride are understandably pleased - "We are pleased to welcome Camille to the Pride and look forward to her arrival in the Bay Area," said FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. "She has tremendous instinct on the field, her vision and decision making skills are right on point. Based on her performance in 2009, I'm sure everyone is aware of what she can do on the field. Abily is a very dynamic player, I'm confident she'll be very successful here in the Bay Area."

Another Atlanta Beat signing?

Yep...There really firing them out now.

Atlanta Beat General Manager Shawn McGee announced the signing of Denmark’s Johanna Rasmussen as the third international player to officially join the Atlanta Beat roster.

Rasmussen is a Danish forward who "is one the best left footed players in the game" according to Atlanta Beat Head Coach Gareth O’Sullivan. "She has excellent speed and is well respected in Europe."

"We look forward to Johanna contributing both goals and assists in the upcoming season," said the coach. She has appeared in the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup, in two UEFA U-19 Championships, and in a FIFA U-20 World Cup with the Denmark Women’s National Team.

As she now joins former Umeå IK (Sweden) teammates Ramona Bachmann (Switzerland) and Mami Yamaguchi (Japan), Rasmussen becomes the third Umeå player signed to the newest WPS franchise.

More to come? We can only hope. Don't we 2010 already!

More signings for Atlanta Beat

Atlanta Beat have announced Sharolta Nonen and McCall Zerboni as the newest additions to the Atlanta Beat roster. With a promise of more announcements to come.

Defender Nonen and midfielder Zerboni both played for the Los Angeles Sol last year.

Canadian Nonen is from Vancouver, British Columbia, was a member of the former Atlanta Beat club from 2001-2003 in the WUSA league. She joined LA Sol midseason as a replacement for the injured Christie Shaner.

Zerboni is a native of San Clemente, California and played collegiately at UCLA from 2005 to 2008.She was a development player for the Sol who earned a full roster contract and eventually a starting position on the right of midfield with some good displays.

Beat Head Coach Gareth O’Sullivan said

"Obviously Sharolta gives us a great deal of experience at the back, and we are look forward to having her back in Atlanta".

"McCall is very composed on the ball and will contribute in variety of ways to our offense.Her best positions are as a right midfielder or as an attacking midfielder,"

Check back tomorrow of news of another signing.

Atlanta Beat signs Mami Yamaguchi

The new WPS expansion team Atlanta Beat have officially announced today that they have signed the Japanese midfielder Mami Yamaguchi.

23 year old Yamaguchi from Umea IK is the 2nd international to sign for the team after Switzerland's Ramona Bachmann signed in December, also from Umea.

Yamaguchi was previously a NCAA Mac Herman Trophy winner in 2007 after a successful season with Florida State University.

Atlanta Beat Head Coach Gareth O'Sullivan said "Mami is a very technical and versatile player,she is extremely clever in possession and will bring great experience to the team. We expect her to have an immediate impact in the WPS".

FIFA World Player of the Year Awards pictures - Kelly Smith

Marta of LA Sol, Cristiane , Chicago Red Stars and Kelly Smith of the Boston Breakers smile for the camera at the 19th FIFA World Player of the Year Awards.

Boston's English striker Smith was voted 3rd at the event and she shares some of her pictures of her time at the event.

Check out the Boston Breakers webpage for more pictures of Kelly Smith meeting the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Gerrard.