WPS UPDATE - FC GOLD PRIDE TRADE GK

As part of the team’s first-ever trade, FC Gold Pride acquired the 10th and 12th overall draft selections in the upcoming WPS General Draft from the Atlanta Beat. In return, the Beat receives Goalkeeper Allison Whitworth and the Pride’s third-round selection (23rd overall) in the draft.

“We are grateful to Allison for the contributions she made to our team and organization,” said FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. “She is an excellent goalkeeper and a pleasure to work with. She has a lot to offer the Beat on, and off the field. We wish her well as she returns to the South and look forward to seeing her continue her career in the WPS.”

The Pride is now in possession of two first-round (3rd and 10th) and two second-round (12th and 14th) draft picks, the most of any WPS team. The 2010 WPS General Draft will be held on Friday, January 15 in Philadelphia, PA in conjunction with the NSCAA Annual Convention.

“Having the opportunity to make multiple selections in the first and second round of the upcoming draft is a huge advantage for any team,” said Montoya. “There is a tremendous amount of talent and potential coming out of the collegiate ranks this year. These women are players that I can see coming into WPS as starters and making an immediate impact for our team and the league. ”

Whitworth, a native of Birmingham, AL, started four games for the Pride in 2009. She made 17 saves and allowed five goals in 360 minutes of action.

“I had a great year in the Bay Area with FC Gold Pride,” said Whitworth. “It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had with soccer, getting to play and starting my career with WPS. The Bay Area organization has been very supportive, and has helped me grow as a player. I’m excited to be back in the South and still playing in the league. I’m grateful for the experience with FC Gold Pride.”

GERMANY 0 - 1 USA

The classic match of Germany v USA was played in drizzly , damp ,slippery conditions where the US won 1-0 thanks to an Abby Wambach goal in the 34th minute.
In front of a sold out crowd of 28367 in the Impuls Arena,Augsburg.

The Germans dominated the 1st half with Fatimire Bajramaj whizzing by Heather Mitts down the right time and time again. Has Mitts got slower or has Bajramaj always been that quick we all wondered! Anyway the Germans were causing problems down the flanks but they couldn't get that telling ball to their forwards. The US for the most were pretty solid in the centre of defence Amy Lepielbet,Rachel Buehler and Hope Solo all had a good match.

The US's goal came against the run of play, with a ball from Yael Averbuch from the left wing (yes she was playing as a left winger!) into the middle of the box.Defender Saskia Bartusiak tried to clear it but only suceeding in knocking it up into the air. A bad idea when Abby is about. Wambach got her head to the ball before the on rushing keeper Nadine Angerer could punch it clear. Classic Wambach goal, USA up 1-0.

The Germans huffed and puffed for the remainder of the game but couldn't create any definite openings. The US defending like we knew they could.
After 70 mins both teams looked like they were spent with each giving up passes to the other.

Players from both sides went missing O'Reilly, Laudehr...some players enhanced their reputations Kulig,Boxx.

Not a classic game but a game which showed their really is nothing between 2 big strong teams who in a way cancelled each other out. Roll on 2011.


Germany - Nadine Angerer, Linda Bresonik,Saskia Bartusiak, Annike Krahn,Babett Peter,Kerstin Garefrekes(Bianca Scmidt 83),Simone Laudehr,Kim Kulig,Fatimire Bajramaj(Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi 66),Inka Grings(,Anja Mittag 66) ,Brigit Prinz (C)(Martina Muller 89)

USA - Hope Solo, Heather Mitts, Amy Lepeilbet,Rachel Buehler,Lori Chalupny (C),Heather O'Reilly,Shannon Boxx,Carli Lloyd,Yael Averbuch(Kacey White 60),Abby Wambach,Amy Rodriguez (Ella Masser 73)

CLASH OF THE TITANS!

Tomorrow Thursday 29th October 2009 remember the day.Women's soccer has the match up we have all been waiting for. Germany v USA.

The USA is ranked No. 1. Germany is No. 2.

Germany have just come of the back of a dominating European Championships in Finland where they went undefeated to take the title. Beating England 6-2 in the final game.


The USA on a high from their Gold winning performance in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing against Brazil. Undoubtedly the two best teams in the world at the moment clash in an exciting and very interesting game.

Tomorrows game in the Impuls-Arena in Augsburg has no Olympic or World Cup ramifications but is nevertheless a clash of superpowers in one of the venues for the 2011 World Cup. See that's what it is all about,publicising for the Women's World Cup. But to the player's and coaching staff and also to the fans it's no friendly.


There will be some interesting matchups in the match.Not least of the two goalkeepers. Arguably the two best goalkeepers in the world. Nadine Angerer and Hope Solo.Who will truely be no1 or does it not matter till the World Cup? How will Amy Lepeilbet and Rachel Buehler-the USA's relatively new partnership in defence, cope with the experienced Brigit Prinz and Inga Grings?
Will Kim Kulig, the young German midfielder keep up her good form from the Euros outfight Shannon Boxx and Carli Lloyd in midfield?

Both teams are missing key players. Defender Ariane Hingst and midfielder Melanie Behringer miss out due to injury for Germany. Team captain defender Christie Rampone and midfielder's Lindsey Tarpley and Angela Hucles all very experienced miss out for the USA.

No matter what scenarios are thrown up we are excited to watch this match even on tv. German station ARD are broadcasting live. Kickoff 6pm German time.

German Squad -
GK - Nadine Angerer , Ursula Holl
DEF - Saskia Bartusiak, Sonja Fuss, Annike Krahn, Babett Peter, Bianca Scmidt
MID - Linda Bresonik, Kerstin Garefrekes, Kim Kulig, Simone Laudehr, Jennifer Zietz
FOR - Fatimire Bajramaj,Inka Grings, Anja Mittag,Celia Okoyino Da Mbabi, Martina Muller, Brigit Prinz (C)

USA Squad -
GK- Hope Solo, Nicole Barnhart
DEF-Cat Whitehill, Heather Mitts,Amy Lepeilbet, Rachel Buehler, Lori Chalupny (C),Brittany Bock
MID- Shannon Boxx, Lori Lindsey, Carli Lloyd, Yael Averbuch,Tobin Heath, Heather O'Reilly,Kacey White
FOR - Abby Wambach, Amy Rodriguez, Ella Masser

YOUNG GUN FOR SKY BLUE FC

Sky Blue planning for the future?
They have signed Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues defender Ashleigh Gunning.
The Lady Blues played in the W-League and are an affiliate to Sky Blue.
Gunning is a product of Coastal Carolina University and was a big hit at this years combine. The 2nd one she has attended after last years.

Gunning was an instrumental component in the Quickstrike defense this past season, anchoring their back line to the W-League regular season title and a semifinal appearance in the postseason. She played in all 13 games for Quickstrike and contributed two goals and a pair of assists to its offensive attack.

"I am grateful to Sky Blue FC for the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream," she commented about the signing. “I'm very thankful to have this opportunity, and right now, it's an opportunity. It's nothing guaranteed, and obviously I have to show up and play well to prove that I deserve to be there. It's something I've thought about and worked towards for a long time, but I know that it is not the end of the road. I still have a lot of work to do and there is a long way to go."

Read more about Sky Blue and Ashleigh Gunning HERE

FC GOLD PRIDE BUILD THEIR DEFENCE

FC Gold Pride continues to build upon the team's strong defensive line by adding free-agent and former Saint Louis Athletica defender Niki Cross to the Bay Area roster.

"We are excited to welcome Niki to the Pride," said FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. "Adding a strong, athletic and tactically savvy player like Cross strengthens our back line and gives us some added flexibility with our lineup. She is a player I've had my eye on for a while now. She has great athleticism and has proven she is a tremendous soccer player and will be an impact player for our team."

A native of New England, the 23-year-old hails from Pembroke, MA. She represented the University of Connecticut (UCONN) from 2003-2006 where she was a regular starter all four years. She finished her collegiate career with 92 games played, 13 goals and eight assists and a MAC Hermann Trophy nomination. Cross will be reunited in the Bay Area with fellow UCONN alum and current Pride defender/midfielder Kristen Graczyk.

WORLD CUP QUALIFYING WEEK

With Euro 2009 been and gone, attention has now turned to the Women's World Cup Germany 2011.
International teams across Europe are playing this weekend hoping to take a step towards the finals.




England start their campaign against Malta on Sunday 25th October at Bloomfield Road, the home of Blackpool FC. Malta have already played one game in the qualifying group with a 13-0 defeat to Spain in September. Coach Hope Powell will be looking for her players to continue their good progress and get the 3 points in the bag and get of to a good start in the group.

England and Malta are in group 5 along with Spain, Austria and Turkey.

The England squad:
GK: Rachel Brown,Siobhan Chamberlain,Karen Bardsley
DEF: Faye White(C),Casey Stoney,Rachel Unitt,Laura Bassett,Lindsey Johnson,Alex Scott,Fern Whelan,Dunia Susi
MID: Dan Buet,Fara Williams,Katie Chapman,Jill Scott,Rachel Williams,Emily Westwood,Jess Clarke,Sue Smith
FOR: Eniola Aluko,Jody Handley,Lianne Sanderson

Anita Asante, Karen Carney and Kelly Smith not involved in squad.

RED STARS HOMECOMING!

The Chicago Red Stars announce their first 2009 free agent signing today, bringing defender and Oswego, Ill., native Julianne Sitch on board for the team's 2010 Women's Professional Soccer season. Per team policy, terms of her contract are not released, and Sitch's official signing is pending the league's approval.

Sitch made her WPS debut this past season for the champion Sky Blue FC. She started in 11 of 16 regular-season games, netting her first goal on June 28 against Saint Louis Athletica.

I am very happy to be coming home to Chicago to continue my playing career," Sitch said. "I've always dreamt about playing in my hometown, where all of my family and friends -- who have supported me throughout my career -- can come and watch. I love Chicago. I love Toyota Park and the energy it brings to the game. I couldn't be more happy and I'm excited for the season to start!"

Sitch has a rich soccer history throughout the Chicago area. She is best known for her groundbreaking efforts for the DePaul University women's soccer program, where she shattered many records during her 2002-2005 tenure.

LESLIE OSBORNE LANDS IN BOSTON

Former FC Gold Pride captain Leslie Osborne has made the move to the east coast to the Boston Breakers. Osborne who was a free agent at the end of the 2009 WPS season agreed terms with the Breakers and joins her former Pride teamate Tiffany Weimer.
Osborne started in 18 of the club’s 20 matches and lead the team with 1,622 minutes of playing time. Her iron-woman performance marked a successful return from a torn ACL and ankle injury suffered during United States National Team training in May 2008, which caused Osborne to miss the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"Leslie Osborne is a proven midfielder who has a wonderful soccer pedigree and a track record of success,” said Boston Breakers Head Coach Tony DiCicco. “She is talented, tough and a team leader, all qualities that will make the Breakers better. I am looking forward to coaching her and introducing her to our Breaker fans."

“I am tremendously excited to play for the Boston Breakers,” said Osborne. “Boston has a special place in my heart and I am ready to give everything I have to this great organization. This is a great opportunity to learn from such an experienced coach like Coach DiCicco and to play alongside some of the best players in the world. Being in the same city as our sponsor Puma is only another positive for me. I cannot wait to arrive in Boston and begin to prepare for the 2010 WPS season.”

ENGLAND CAPTAIN HELPS OUT CHELSEA LADIES

Here is a story concerning women's football we think needs to be seen and heard about.
It shows what some of the hardships women's football teams go through and how something can be done about it all in one story.

The story concerns the Chelsea Ladies football team.



The Chelsea and England captain John Terry has come to the rescue of his club's women's team following a cut in funding that, says the captain Casey Stoney, would have adversely affected Blues' hopes of chasing major honours this season.

For the first time since officially becoming part of Chelsea FC five years ago, the women's team have had their annual budget reduced. "It was a blow when we were told what was happening," said Stoney, who also works as a coach at the Chelsea Academy. "I mentioned it to a friend who's also a mate of JT's, and when he was told about it JT came to find me at the training ground to ask if he could help.

"He ended up putting his hand in his pocket and persuading some of the other players to do the same, so now we can keep going on the same footing we had last year. We need that level of funding if we are going to compete at the top end of the Premier League and do well in the big cup competitions, so the help we've had from the guys has been invaluable. JT has also become president of the women's club and he's been with his family to see us play, so he's taking a real interest."

If only more clubs take Terry's view and commitment. It doesn't take much money to fund the Ladies' teams certainly not as much as paying some of the extortionate amounts of money some clubs spend.

WPS UPDATE- ANOTHER SKY BLUE SIGNING?

Although not confirmed by NJ Sky Blue FC yet, it looks like they have signed a new international defender Daphne Koster from the Netherlands. That is according to her club AZ.

AZ coach Ad Engelkes said he wishes Koster the very best in the US. “She is ready to make the switch to professional competition. In the US she can now play against the best women players in the world. You might only get a chance like this once, so you’ve got to take it.”

AZ have announced that the Dutch Captain has signed for one year with a further year option to continue.

Koster was one of the stars of Euro 2009 in Finland as she guided the Netherlands to the Semi-Finals beating the much fancied France and Denmark on the way, finally bowing out to England in extra-time. They got there by there strong defence led by Koster.

Keep checking Sky Blue website for updates HERE