Women's Soccer USA

Coverage of women's soccer in the US. If it's not here...it's not important...

July 31, 2008

Pali Blues 2, Washington 0

The Pali Blues rode the leg of Danesha Adams as she scored two goals for the Blues as their march to perfection continued Thursday night by defeating the defending W-League Champion Washington Freedom 2-0 in the second semifinal of the W-League Championship.

FC Indiana 1, Seattle 0

The game started with FC Indiana dominating possession. They controlled the pace of the game with great spacing and crisp passing.

USA 0, China 0

Although the game ended up 0-0, we came away with a lot of positives and will take tomorrow off as we prepare for our final week of training.

July 29, 2008

W-League

Results of a www.womensprosoccer.com poll "Which team will be crowned 2008 W-League Champions?"

Washington Freedom - 55.56%
Pali Blues - 16.67%
Seattle Sounders - 14.81%
FC Indiana - 12.96%

WPSL Final Four set

Ajax America Women vs. Arizona
New England vs. MYSC Lady Blues

July 28, 2008

Coverage of the W-League Championship Final to air this Saturday on Fox Soccer Channel

Fox Soccer Channel will broadcast the USL W-League Championship Final.
The Washington Freedom (13-1-2), Pali Blues (12-0-0), FC Indiana (15-0-1) and Seattle Sounders (6-3-4) have advanced to the W-League Championship semifinals taking place this weekend in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Coverage of the W-League Championship final will air on Fox Soccer Channel this Saturday, August 2 at 11:00 p.m. ET.

DiCicco's club fails again to reach WPSL finals

"Our ideas were not lofty but very realistic. In addition to finishing the regular season undefeated, our last goal was to win the WPSL Championship. Even in the beginning of the season we knew the talent that was latent within the team. But as the season progressed we believed more and more that we could reach every goal we put in front of ourselves.

Every Reds player and staff knew that we could achieve our goal. We ended the regular season with a perfect record. We look ahead to this weekend, where we will be playing the semifinal game of the East Conference at our home stadium Friday night. We believe in ourselves because we have relied on each other the whole season. Players have come and gone, but our passion and our attitude has not changed. We know what we need to do to get the job done and win this weekend.
Only one more goal to reach… winning that WPSL Championship game!"

July 27, 2008

New England 1, SoccerPlus 0

The SoccerPlus Connecticut Reds put a sluggish first half behind then and came out of intermission with renewed vigor.
Fueled by Eastern Conference first-team all-star Katie Schoepfer, the Reds seized the second-half momentum as they had done in each of their games this season against quality competition.
But the visiting New England Mutiny, two-time losers against SPCT during the Women's Premier Soccer League regular season, countered decisively.
Erin Clark took a ball in the box and pushed it past goalkeeper Jill Mastroianni for the game's lone goal Sunday as the Mutiny sewed up a return to the WPSL final four with a 1-0 win in the Eastern Conference championship match at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Ajax America 2, California Storm 0

Seattle 1, Vancouver 0

The Vancouver Whitecaps saw their season come to a disappointing end on Saturday, as they lost 1-0 to Seattle Sounders in the USL W-League Western Conference playoff at Swangard Stadium.
Baysa's winner came via a bicycle kick (Josh Devins)A spectacular bicycle kick from Sounders top scorer Chalise Baysa on minute 67 was the difference, as Seattle now advance to the W-League semifinals in Virginia Beach, Virginia, next week.
The Sounders advanced to the W-League Championship tournament starting July 31 at the Virginia Beach SportsPlex. Hosted by the Hampton Roads Piranhas, the Semifinals will be July 31 with the the Championship match August 2, which will be aired on Fox Soccer Channel.
As the lowest seed not from the Western Conference, the defending champion Washington Freedom (seeded fifth overall) will face the regular season champion Pali Blues in the Semifinals with Seattle (seeded 13th) facing the winner of Sunday's Central Conference Championship between FC Indiana (seeded second) and Ottawa (seeded fourth).

Washington 2, Atlanta 1

The Atlanta Silverbacks' 2008 W-League season ended much like the 2007 campaign did, at the hands of the Washington Freedom. The Freedom dominated in possession throughout the Eastern Conference Championship game, but only squeaked by the Silverbacks 2-1 in overtime thanks to a 118th minute goal from Ali Andrzejewski.
Defending champions survive two overtime contests (Ron Holt)With the win, the Freedom (13-1-2) move on to defend their W-League title as part of the final four with the Pali Blues and the winners of the Central and Western conference playoffs.

July 26, 2008

DiCicco wants Amy Pickard

Amy Pickard, an Inferno forward, made a brilliant move in the first half. She possessed near the top of the box and showed just how quick her feet are by switching the ball and darting toward the goal.
DiCicco noticed.
"We're trying to get our players so they're prepared to play professionally," he said. "I saw Number 8 (Amy Pickard) on their team who I liked a lot. (By coaching in the WPSL) you get a chance to see players, kids who might slip through the cracks."

SoccerPlus 2, Lancaster 1

Taking on the Lancaster Inferno in the semi-finals of the 2008 WPSL Eastern Conference playoffs, the Reds won a hard fought game 2-1.
After the game was delayed fifteen minutes due to the late arrival of the Inferno, the teams appeared evenly matched early on. In the fourth minute Maggie Tomecka produced a soft shot from inside the box, saved by Inferno keeper Joy Shaiebly. Shortly after, the Inferno had a chance of their own as Reds’ keeper Jill Mastroianni made a save on a header.

W-League All-Conference team

United Soccer Leagues announced Friday the statistical award winners for the 2008 W-League season and the All-Conference Teams, honoring 33 of the top players in the league as voted on by team coaches and general managers.

French and Murphy both honored for fourth timeThe Atlanta Silverbacks’ Sarah Steinmann finished as the Scoring and Goal Scoring Champion for the season with a league-leading 40 points and 19 goals, a breakout performance for the sixth-year W-League veteran. The numbers were triple what she posted last season when she notched only six goals in a season in which she played the fewest games (eight) in her career. They were twice what she registered in her best season, an eight-goal campaign in 2006. Steinmann originally began her W-League career with the Charlotte Lady Eagles in 2003-04 before moving to Atlanta. She had 25 goals in her previous five seasons in the league.

Laura Del Rio of the FC Indiana Lionesses finished as the W-League Assist Leader with nine on the season. Combined with her 13 goals on the season, Del Rio also finished second in the league in points with 35.

In goal, it was Pali Blues netminder Valerie Henderson winning the GAA Champion award with the league’s lowest goals against average of 0.142. Henderson posted shutouts in six of her seven games played, allowing just one goal on the year.

Among the W-League All-Conference selections were several players who have received the honor several times. Charlotte’s Tina Murphy and Seattle’s Michelle French are both being recognized for the fourth time in their careers (both in 2004, 2006 and 2007) while Tiffeny Milbrett was selected for the third straight year.

Being honored for a second time are Chicago’s Jen Buczkowski (2006), Jersey’s Fanta Cooper (2004), Washington’s Lori Lindsey (2007) and Pali trio Kendall Fletcher (2004), Amy LePeilbet (2005) and Jill Oakes (2007).

W-LEAGUE ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS
Central Conference
G Erin Kane Chicago Gaels
D Ashley Kennedy Ottawa Fury
D Marie-Eve Nault FC Indiana Lionesses
D Cindy Walsh Laval Comets
M Jen Buczkowski Chicago Gaels
M Chelsea Cline Minnesota Lightning
M Alicia Donaldson Toronto Lady Lynx
M Julianne Sitch FC Indiana Lionesses
F Brittany Bisnott Toronto Lady Lynx
F Laura Del Rio FC Indiana Lionesses
F Shay Powell Ottawa Fury Eastern Conference

Eastern Conference
G Mallori Lofton-Malachi Tampa Bay Hellenic
D Fanta Cooper Jersey Sky Blue
D Therese Luckner Boston Renegades
D Sue Weber Long Island Rough Riders
M Stacey Bishop Tampa Bay Hellenic
M Lori Lindsey Washington Freedom
M Tina Murphy Charlotte Lady Eagles
M Lyndsey Patterson Atlanta Silverbacks
F Sarah Steinmann Atlanta Silverbacks
F Fortuna Velaj Connecticut Passion
F Christie Welsh Washington Freedom

Western Conference
G Valerie Henderson Pali Blues
D Kendall Fletcher Pali Blues
D Amy LePeilbet Pali Blues
D Afton Sauer Real Colorado Cougars
D Katrin Schmidt Vancouver Whitecaps
M Michelle French Seattle Sounders
M Katie Hooker Real Colorado Cougars
M Jill Oakes Pali Blues
F Danesha Adams Pali Blues
F Katie Erikkson Fort Collins Force
F Tiffeny Milbrett Vancouver Whitecaps

WPSL All-Star team

2008 ALL-EAST FIRST TEAM
F Katie Schoepfer (SOCCERPLUS CT)
F Amy Pickard (LANCASTER INFERNO)
F Jasmyne Spencer (LONG ISLAND FURY)
MF Mary-Frances Monroe (NEW ENGLAND MUTINY)
MF Tiffany Weimer (SOCCERPLUS CT)
MF Jenny Maurer (NEW ENGLAND MUTINY)
MF Kelly Henderson (LONG ISLAND FURY)
D Manya Makoski (SOCCERPLUS CT)
D Hannah Cerrone (LONG ISLAND FURY)
D Kirsten Hoffsmith (LANCASTER INFERNO)
D Tara Davies (ATLANTIC CITY DIABLOS)
GK Meghan Walker (ATLANTIC CITY DIABLOS)

COACH OF THE YEAR: Tony DiCicco (SOCCERPLUS CT)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Mary-Frances Monroe (NEW ENGLAND MUTINY)
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR: Meghan Walker (ATLANTIC CITY DIABLOS)

W-League playoffs

W-LEAGUE EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Long Island Rough Riders at Atlanta Silverbacks 0:1
RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium Friday, July 25, 2008 8:00 pm EDT
Weather: Cool, cloudy Attendance: 485

Summary:
ATL: Christine Latham (Melanie Schneider) 51
Cautions
LI: Liz Speck 90
ATL: Monica Buff 70, Kay Harbrueger 90
Ejections
LI: coach John Fitzgerald 82
Referees: Patrick Baker, Alan Cromlish, Alex Walker

Charlotte Lady Eagles at Washington Freedom 5:6
RE/MAX Greater Atlanta Stadium Friday, July 25, 2008 5:00 pm EDT
Weather: Cloudy, 85 Attendance: 152

Summary:
WAS: Christie Welsh 2
CHA: Christy Rife (Nikki Lyons) 11
WAS: Christie Welsh (Ella Masar) 16
WAS: Madison Keller (Sarah Huffman) 22
CHA: Kelly Schmedes (Nikki Lyons) 29
CHA: Tina Murphy 59
CHA: Nikki Lyons (Kelly Schmedes) 66
WAS: Rebecca Moros (penalty) 70
WAS: Emily Janss (Sarah Huffman) 97
WAS: Christie Welsh (Sarah Huffman) 103
CHA: Tina Murphy 107
Cautions
None
Referees: William Deland, JJ Blodgett, Serdar Ertep

W-LEAGUE CENTRAL CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Chicago Gaels at Ottawa Fury 2:3
Purdue University Friday, July 25, 2008 3:30 pm EDT
Weather: Sunny, warm Attendance: 50

Summary:
OTT: Jodie Taylor 12
OTT: Shay Powell (Lisa-Marie Woods) 15
CHI: Lauren Spacht (Jen Buczkowski) 26
OTT: Jodie Taylor (penalty) 62
CHI: Emily Maynard (penalty) 89
Cautions
CHI: Danielle Mutters 12, Laura Trevillian 74
Referees: Tony Deldis, Josh Kelley, Brinn Di Piro

Laval Comets at FC Indiana Lionesses 1:5
Purdue University Friday, July 25, 2008 6:00 pm EDT
Weather: Cloudy, 70 Attendance: 128

Summary:
IND: Annie Hamel (Kelly Parker) 14
IND: Lauren Sesselmann (Kelly Parker) 16
IND: Lauren Sesselmann (Laura Del Rio) 25
LAV: Andreanne Gagne (penalty) 55
IND: Kelly Parker (Annie Hamel) 63
IND: Veronica Phewa (Fatima Leyva) 72
Cautions
IND: Lauren Sesselmann 27
Referees: Andrew Scott, Tom Gentry, Craig Clark

July 24, 2008

Laval 2, Toronto 0

The Toronto Lady Lynx season came to a crashing halt this evening on the heels of a shocking 2-0 loss to the Laval Comets at Centennial Stadium in the Northern Division semifinals.
Gagne scored both goals on free kicks for LavalLaval now advances to the Central Conference Championships this weekend to face the host FC Indiana Lionesses in one semifinal, while the Ottawa Fury will tackle the Chicago Gaels in the other.
The loss is the first-ever home playoff loss for the Lady Lynx, and marks the first time that the team will not advance to the conference championships in their four-year history. It was also the team's first-ever home defeat to Laval in team history.

Long Island 1, Boston 0

Meghann Burke made several great saves, but the Long Island Rough Riders scored in the 84th minute to eliminate the visiting Boston Renegades 1-0 in the first round of the W-League playoffs.
"The team's very disappointed. We played evenly the first half, and I thought we dominated the second half, and to have them score at the end like that was tough," said Renegades coach Darren Gallagher, whose team finished the season 9-4-2.

July 21, 2008

Nordic Cup final

USA 3, Germany 0

Jersey Sky Blue out, Long Island in

With the United Soccer Leagues W-League regular season completed Sunday, playoff pairings were announced and play-in games set for Wednesday with conference tournaments scheduled for this weekend.

In the Central Conference, the Toronto Lynx and the Laval Comets will face off Wednesday at Centennial Park Stadium with the winner advancing to the conference tournament this weekend in Indianapolis with the Chicago Gaels, Ottawa Fury and the host FC Indiana in the field.

In the Eastern Conference, the Long Island Rough Riders will host the Boston Renegades Wednesday wth the winner joining the host Atlanta Silverbacks, Charlotte Lady Eagles and the defending league champion Washington Freedom at Silverbacks Park in their conference tournament.

Finally, in the Western Conference, the 2008 W-League regular season champion Pali Blues await the winner of Wednesday's semifinal showdown at Swangard Stadium between the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Seattle Sounders and will play them in Pacific Palisades, CA next Sunday.

Conference champions advance to the W-League Championship Tournament July 31 and August 2 in Virginia Beach, VA.

July 19, 2008

USA U-23 2, Norway U-23 0

A tale of two players

"Solo and Wambach both say they have become experts in agreeing to disagree, and time has softened their stances on the World Cup conflict, but only somewhat. Wambach stands by the decision to keep Solo off the squad for the third-place match ("It would have affected my ability to prepare for the game," she says), but she allows that it was "probably an overreaction" to tell Solo not to come to the stadium."

It's a confusing time for Solo, to say nothing of her teammates. Yes, she thinks the U.S.'s traditional harmony-first culture needs to change. "We don't have to be friends to respect what somebody does on the field," she says. "I truly hope women's sports can get to that point. We like to say we are, but I don't think we're there yet."

Connecticut 2, New England 0

The visiting New England Mutiny had their eyes on the prize. They started strong and ended strong but they were unable to finish their chances.
Leah Blayney and Tiffany Weimer scored second-half goals Friday night as the Reds clinched first place and maintained their unblemished record in the Women's Premier Soccer League's East-North Division with a 2-0 victory at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
"Our defense was solid all game long," said Reds coach Tony DiCicco, who returned to the bench after spending most of the season in Mexico coaching the U-20 nationals in the World Cup qualifying tournament.

July 18, 2008

Pali Blues win regular season title

The Pali Blues Soccer Club (12-0-0) became the first Western Conference team to ever win the W-League regular season crown tonight following a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Legends (0-9-2). The perfect record marks the third time in five years that Blues head coach Charlie Naimo has finished the regular season as the top team in the league.
"When the final whistle blew, I was relieved, but our team had me feeling pretty comfortable throughout the match that we would come through," Naimo stated Friday night after his regular season coaching record improved to 65-3 over the past five seasons. "We played the right way, and that led to us getting the right result."
In the contest, the visiting Blues outshot their cross-city rivals by a count of 37-5 and took the corner kick advantage, 12-1.

Cheney replaces Wambach

Lauren Cheney will take Wambach's spot in the roster, and she will join Natasha Kai and Amy Rodriguez to form a talented but inexperienced strike force.

From Amish heartland, FC Indiana gives women’s soccer ‘multicultural vision’

The story of this juggernaut begins in the north central Indiana town of Goshen (pop. 30,000), where horse-drawn buggies vie with sport-utility vehicles for right of way. Goshen lies at the center of Indiana’s Amish and Mennonite communities, Anabaptist Christian denominations with roots in 16th-century Europe. Some congregations shun modernity, avoiding electricity and telephones in the home, and use horses for farming and transportation.

July 17, 2008

USA U-23 3, England U-23 0

U.S. Under-23 Women’s National Team earned its second straight win and shutout at the 2008 Nordic Cup with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over England in Group B on Thursday morning.
The USA now needs a win or a tie in its final first round match, taking place on July 19 against Norway, to win the group and earn a berth in its 12th straight Nordic Cup title game. Both the USA and Norway have won their first two matches and are tied atop the group with six points, but the USA has a superior goal difference at plus-4 to Norway’s plus-2, meaning a tie would give the U.S. top honors in the group.
India Trotter, who earned Player of the Match honors, scored in the 37th minute after Meghan Schnur played a great bending ball around the defense from the left side at about midfield. Trotter got on the end of it and beat a defender to go one-on-one with the ‘keeper before slotting her shot into the right corner.

USA 1, Brazil 0

The U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Brazil, 1-0, on a 85th minute goal from forward Natasha Kai in front of a sell-out standing-room-only crowd of 7,502.

Wambach to miss Olympics after breaking leg

U.S. Women’s National Team forward Abby Wambach suffered a mid-shaft oblique fracture of the tibia and fibula, the two bones that make up the lower leg, in a 31st minute collision with a Brazilian defender during the USA’s 1-0 victory tonight and will miss the 2008 Olympics.

July 16, 2008

Pali Blues seek regular season title on Friday

The Pali Blues Soccer Club (11-0-0) will attempt to do what no other Western Conference side in league history has ever done this Friday, and that is win the W-League regular season title. Standing in the way of that accomplishment is their regular season finale on the road against the Los Angeles Legends (0-8-2), slated for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff.

WPSL Team of the Week

F Alex Morgan (WEST COAST F.C.) - WPSL CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The Cal Bear star scored both goals for WCFC as they rallied to defeat SD United by a 2-1 score to clinch first place in the Pacific-South Division.
F Alaina Beyar (LONG ISLAND FURY)
The WPSL Co-Player of the Week was only available for two of the three matches last week for the Fury, but she netted three goals to now lead the team in goals scored with seven (tied with Jasmyne Spencer).
F Ashley Freyer (SONOMA COUNTY F.C. SOL)
The soon-to-be USC Trojan scored both Sol goals in a 2-1 win against the dangerous Monterey Blues, and she narrowly missed a hat-trick when another one of her shots grazed the post.
F Cristina Quintero (SAN FRANCISCO NIGHTHAWKS)
The team's all-time leading goal scorer had two goals and an assist as the Nighthawks won both games this past weekend, sealing up a third place finish in the Pacific-North while posting a 4-3-3 winning season.
MF Becky Ryan (SOCCERPLUS CT)
Against Adirondack, the Marquette star had another two-goal game for the Reds, as she scored the same in the Reds' last game against New York A.C.
MF Jenny Maurer (NEW ENGLAND MUTINY)
The former Boston College captain was a one-woman show in the win over Massachusetts, tallying a goal and an assist.
MF Kat McKenna (MILLBURN MAGIC)
A graduate of the Arsenal Academy and a Watford (English Premier League) veteran, McKenna has had an outstanding season for Millburn, working up and down the left flank as both a defender and midfielder.
MF Jayme Cargnoni (SD UNITED)
The Wake Forest standout has been rock solid all season for SD United and scored three goals over the 4th of July weekend.
D Maureen Whitney (CALIFORNIA STORM)
Combined with fellow Storm stalwarts in Sissi and Kim Yokers, Whitney contributed to a complete win over the Monterey Blues, helping the Storm clinch first place in the Pacific-North Division.
D Marie Curtin (LONG ISLAND FURY)
Opponents could not get by the Irish international in all three wins (without allowing a goal) last week for Fury coach Paul Riley, as she was named Defensive Player of the Match in two of the games and BigAppleSoccer.com Player of the Week as well.
D Kristyn Gawin (MYSC LADY BLUES)
The rising sophomore for St. Louis University played the sweeper role for MYSC this weekend - as the regular starter was unavailable - and helped organize two shut-outs in a critical weekend against a talented F.C. St. Louis squad and a very athletic F.C. Twente3 IL unit.
GK Sarah Walker (SAN FRANCISCO NIGHTHAWKS) - WPSL CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
A Honorable Mention selection earlier this season, the former Yale and New England Mutiny backstop posted some big saves on Saturday in the win over the Walnut Creek Power, as she was peppered with 17 shots and several one-on-one breakaways.

W-League Team of the Week

GK, Joy McKenzie, Rochester, 9 saves in shutout at Laval
D, Mary Casey, Northern Virginia, GTG and helped defense allow only 3 shots
D, Jenny Jeffers, FC Indiana, 1 assist and helped D allow only 4 shots in 2 games
D, Kim McMullen, Hampton, 1 goal and anchored defense to first shut out of year
M, Jessica Varela, Richmond, 2 goals and 1 assist in 3-2 victory over Dynamo
M, Victoria Huster, Boston, GWG and well-rounded performance against Passion
M, Collette McCollum, Pali, 2 goals and 1 assist in just 55 minutes
M, Fatima Leyva, FC Indiana, 1 goal and 3 assists in two wins
F, Christie Welsh, Washington, 3 goals and 3 assists over two win weekend
F, Tiffeny Milbrett, Vancouver, 2 goals and 1 assist in 3-1 win over Fort Collins
F, Christine Latham, Atlanta, 3 goals in 4-2 win at Charlotte to clinch division

Cooper to return to Sweden

The Jersey Sky Blue defender Fanta Cooper has agreed to join Swedish minnows Umeå Södra to help them trying to avoid relegation. Cooper played two years for Bälinge, helping them promote from the 1st division 2005 and in Damallsvenskan 2006.
The last regular season match for Sky Blue will be played this weekend and at the moment it looks like they will miss out on the play-offs for the W-league championship.

July 15, 2008

Nordic Cup

USA 1, Switzerland 0

July 14, 2008

W-League playoff situation

CENTRAL CONFERENCE :: MIDWEST DIVISION
Seed 1: The FC Indiana Lionesses clinched a playoff berth and division title.
Seed 2: To be determined.

CENTRAL CONFERENCE: :: NORTHERN DIVISION
Berth 1: The Toronto Lady Lynx clinched a playoff berth.
Berth 2: The Ottawa Fury clinched a playoff berth.
Berth 3: To be determined.

EASTERN CONFERENCE :: ATLANTIC DIVISION
Berth 1: The Atlanta Silverbacks clinched a playoff berth and division title.
Berth 2: The Charlotte Lady Eagles clinched a playoff berth.

EASTERN CONFERENCE :: NORTHEAST DIVISION
Berth 1: The Boston Renegades clinched a playoff berth.
Berth 2: The Washington Freedom clinched a playoff berth.
Berth 3: To be determined.

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Seed 1: Pali clinched the regular season conference title.
Seed 2: To be determined.

July 13, 2008

USA 1, Brazil 0

The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team defeated Brazil, 1-0, on a 71st minute goal from 21-year-old forward Amy Rodriguez in front of an appreciative crowd of 15,071

FC Indiana re-signs Mexico international

FC Indiana announced the re-signing of Mexico international Monica Ocampo for the 2009 season.
Ocampo, 21, was one of twenty finalists in contention for the title of 2006 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year.
She has represented Mexico 45 times, scoring 31 goals, her most recent coming last October in a 1-1 tie with the US in Albuquerque, N.M.

July 12, 2008

Washington 3, Jersey Sky Blue 0

Three different players hit the back of the net as the Washington Freedom dimmed Jersey Sky Blue's playoff chances with a 3-0 victory at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Christie Welsh and Jenn Parsons struck in the first half and Ali Andrzejewski connected just after halftime for the Freedom, which moved to the top of the Northeast Division with the victory.
Sky Blue still stands in third place in the Northeast at 7-4-2 with the top three teams advancing but Jersey has played more games than all the other front runners.

St. Louis ready to go

The St. Louis team, which will play in Collinsville once the stadium is built, is in negotiations with Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville to use its field for the first WPS season next April.

WPSL

U.S. Under-23 Women's National Team head coach Bill Irwin has named 18 players to the roster that will travel to Falun, Sweden on July 11th for the 2008 Nordic Cup Tournament being held from July 15-21.
Included amongst the team are four players with direct Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) experience, which include the likes of Kiki Bosio (Santa Clara) of Ajax America, Meghan Schnur (UConn) of the New England Mutiny and Christina Dimartino (UCLA) & Lorraine Quinn (Duke) of the Long Island Fury.

Quebec joins W-League

Quebec, Laval, Ottawa, Vermont, Boston, Western Massachusetts and Connecticut are expected to be included in the new division.

July 11, 2008

WPS

League and team officials making up the upcoming Women's Professional Soccer will meet in September to allot the members of the U.S. national team into seven squads, the WPS announced Tuesday.
The WPS, the U.S. soccer league which is due to start play next spring, consists of seven teams-Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.
The members of the national team pool will undergo a series of selection process on which team they'll end up with, with the emphasis of making the league as balanced as possible.
Preferences of players and the participating teams will also be considered.
A technical committee of about 15 people will submit recommendations on how the allocation will be done.
The WPS is also considering outside consultants to join team management and coaches in the selection process.
Commissioner Tonya Antonucci, who will give the go-signal in approving the recommendations, said the league is also looking forward to signing a contract with the national team players association.
After the national team members are allocated into their respective squads, the remaining roster slots will be filled by U.S. and international players selected from a series of drafts and tryouts.

July 10, 2008

U.S. Under-23 WNT Nordic Cup Roster

GOALKEEPERS (2): Cori Alexander (Portland), Val Henderson (UCLA)
DEFENDERS (5): Marissa Abegg (Stanford), Nikki Krzysik (Virginia), Kasey Moore (Texas), Katherine Reynolds (Santa Clara), Becky Sauerbrunn (Virginia)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Yael Averbuch (UNC), Tina DiMartino (UCLA), Katy Frierson (Auburn), Brittany Klein (Santa Clara), Lorraine Quinn (Duke), Meghan Schnur (Uconn), India Trotter (Florida State)
FORWARDS (4): Kiki Bosio (Santa Clara), Kerri Hanks (Notre Dame), Katie Larkin (BYU), Ella Masar (Illinois)

Schedule:
Tuesday, July 15
Group B: USA vs. Switzerland
Thursday, July 17
Group B: USA vs. England
Thursday, July 19
Group B: USA vs. Norway
Monday, July 21
7th Place Match
5th Place Match
3rd Place Match
Championship Match

July 09, 2008

W-League Team of the Week

United Soccer Leagues announced today the W-League Team of the Week for the 12th week of the USL season and the ninth edition of the W-League Team of the Week for the year honoring Ottawa Fury forward Shay Powell as Player of the Week.
Powell scored all three goals in Ottawa’s 3-0 victory at Laval. This game was one of the week’s marquee matchups as the second and third place teams in the competitive Northern Division got together. Both teams are chasing the Toronto Lady Lynx, who hold a slight one point lead over the Fury, although the Fury have a game in hand over the Lady Lynx. Ottawa also defeated Rochester over the weekend in the first of a three game home stand that will close on Wednesday, July 16 when Laval will travel to Ottawa to look for revenge.
GK, Mallori Lofton-Malachi, Tampa Bay, Stopped PK in shutout against Atlanta
D, Elizabeth Speck, Long Island, Instrumental in 3-3 comeback at Boston
D, Allison Fries, New York, Played shutdown defense in 1-1 draw against Sky Blue
D, Kelli Smith, Seattle, 1 goal and solid defense in 4-2 win over Legends
M, Tina Murphy, Charlotte, 2 goals in 3-0 win over RailHawks
M, Joy Nsubuga, Hampton, GTG in 1-1 draw at Tampa and assist in win at Athletics
M, Ahna Johnson, Connecticut, 2 goal week including GWG in upset over Sky Blue
M, Brittany Kinmond, Rochester, 1 goal and dangerous all game in 3-2 win over London
F, Ella Masar, Washington, 3 goal week including GWG in 1-0 win over Majestics
F, Shay Powell, Ottawa, 3 goals in 3-0 victory at Laval
F, Christine Latham, Atlanta, 3 goals in 6-0 victory over Athletics

Coaches set for USL W-League Combine

United Soccer Leagues announced today the eight coaches selected to manage the 128 players that will be participating in the inaugural USL W-League Combine this upcoming September 4-7 in Tampa, Florida. Each division of the W-League will be represented by at least one coach at the event, which will provide players with professional aspirations an opportunity to showcase their talents for Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) and other professional scouts and coaches.
The coaches managing the eight squads that will be assembled from the elite players selected for the event will be Peter Amos (Rochester Rhinos), Tony Anglin (Atlanta Silverbacks), Shek Borkowski (FC Indiana Lionesses), Craig Deacon (Fort Collins Force), George Fotopoulos (Tampa Bay Hellenic), Darren Gallagher (Boston Renegades), Denise Reddy (Jersey Sky Blue) and Craig Smith (Ottawa Fury).

July 08, 2008

WPSL

BIG SKY CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Alexis Ball (ALBUQUERQUE ASYLUM)
The Asylum just finished their third straight weekend on the road, playing six games in fifteen days while logging an amazing 3500 miles on the road. What did they accomplish? A remarkable five wins and a draw with thanks to the New Mexico star who scored two "doubles" against the Salt Lake Sparta and Utah Spiders to put Albuquerque in first place in the Big Sky-North Division - with the Arizona Rush only two points behind in second place.
EAST CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dani Collins (ATLANTIC CITY DIABLOS)
The William & Mary standout & 2007 All-WPSL selection scored her first hat-trick this past weekend in a win over the CDSA Future after three years in the league playing as a center back. With a 6-2-2 record, the Diablos (who made it to the East Conference Final last season) are in the midst of a tight race in the East-Mid Atlantic Division with the Long Island Fury and Lancaster Inferno tight on their heels.
PACIFIC CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Charity Weston (WEST COAST F.C.)
The Utah State forward scored two goals on Saturday in a victory over FC Sacramento, and posted another goal and two asists on Sunday in the team's win over Walnut Creek. Charity is now currently amongst the league leaders for both goals (7) and points scored (18) as WCFC has the lead at the quarter pole over 2007 WPSL National Semifinalist Ajax America in the Pacific-South Division race.
SUNSHINE CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Stacey-Jo Fletcher (BREVARD COUNTY COCOA EXPOS)
A pair of wins over Miami Kickers F.C. & Palm Beach United this past weekend gives the Cocoa Expos the Sunshine Conference title in their first season in the WPSL with one match remaining in their schedule. The former Christian Brothers star was named the Offensive Player of the Match in both wins for the 2008 Sunshine winners.

July 07, 2008

W-League

All three nights of the holiday weekend finished with a playoff qualifier in the W-League, all via different circumstances. Atlanta was dealt a blow in its chase for the regular season title and bye to the W-League semifinals with a 0-0 draw in Tampa Friday, but did qualify for the playoffs with the tie. On Saturday, Pali remained the lone perfect team with a narrow 1-0 victory over Seattle, securing the regular season Western Conference title. On Sunday, a 1-1 draw by Tampa against Hampton Roads put the Charlotte Lady Eagles into the postseason.
Ottawa posted key wins over Laval, 3-0, Friday and Hamilton, 2-1, Sunday to move closer to another playoff berth while Jersey found themselves missing critical points with a 1-0 loss at home to Connecticut Saturday and a 1-1 draw in New York Sunday. Northeast Division leaders Long Island and Boston battled to a 3-3 draw Saturday. In a similar much-anticipated match-up between Minnesota and FC Indiana, who previously played to a draw, it was FC Indiana sending a message across the league with a resounding 6-0 victory.

July 05, 2008

Pali Blues 1, Seattle 0

The Pali Blues Soccer Club (10-0-0) kept their perfect record in tact after overcoming a valiant effort from the Seattle Sounders (2-3-4) on Saturday night, 1-0. With the victory and two games remaining on their schedule, the Blues have been crowned the 2008 Western Conference regular season champions.

Jersey Sky Blue 0, Connecticut 1

The scoring woes continued for Jersey Sky Blue as the Connecticut Passion sneaked out a 1-0 victory at Drew University’s Ranger Stadium. Ahna Johnson scored the only goal of the match in the 31st minute to lift the Passion into the thick of the W-League Northeast Division playoffs race while severely hurting Sky Blue’s postseason hopes.
Sky Blue dominated play and held a 12-5 advantage in shots but the goals never came for a team that has struggled to find the back of the net all season long. In 10 games this season Sky Blue has managed to score just 10 goals. With the loss, Sky Blue dropped to 6-3-1 while the Passion improved to 5-2-2.

USA 1, Sweden 0

The U.S. Women’s National Team defeated Sweden, 1-0, on a 39th minute goal from midfielder Carli Lloyd to complete a sweep of two matches in Scandinavia.
The match was significant as it was the first-ever meeting between the two teams in Sweden and also marked the first time U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage has coached against her home country.
In a fairly even first half that featured one or two good chances for each team, Lloyd scored what would be the winning goal just six minutes before halftime.

Tampa Bay 0, Atlanta 0

If the Atlanta Silverbacks came to Tampa thinking that they would have a repeat of the last meeting with the Tampa Bay Hellenic, they had another thing coming. Instead of the 6-0 result from their June 7th meeting in Atlanta, the end result of this meeting was a 0-0 tie.
Atlanta’s first miss of points may prove critical in their chase for the regular season league title and the bye to the W-League semifinals.

July 04, 2008

Pali Blues look to conference crown with win

The Pali Blues Soccer Club (9-0-0) enter the final month of their inaugural W-League season when they host the Seattle Sounders (1-2-4) at the Stadium by the Sea this Saturday at 5:00 p.m. If the Blues are able to take the win and the ensuing three points, they will win the Western Conference regular season title with two games remaining on the schedule.

Chicago Red Stars

"Take a deep breath before you say my new job title, it’s a doozie. But thankfully it’s also a dream. Soccer exec. masterminds Peter Wilt and Marcia McDermott created a position for me in their their WPS franchise..."

This appearance of nepotism may not sit well with Women's Professional Soccer investors who are being sold on the league's conservative business plan.

Washington Freedom 1, Northern Virgnia 0

Ella Masur scored an unassisted goal in the 48th minute of play Wednesday as the defending United Soccer Leagues W-League champion Washington Freedom earned a 1-0 road victory over the Northern Virginia Majestics at Wakefield High School in Arlington, VA.
The Freedom stand 6-1-1 with 19 points and are tied with the Long Island Rough Riders and Jersey Sky Blue in the Eastern Conference, Northeast Division. Northern Virginia is 1-5-4 and tied with the New Jersey Wildcats, who they face July 11 at Howison Homestead Park in Woodbridge, VA, for sixth place with seven points.

Lionesses drop interest in signing Lima

FC Indiana head coach Shek Borkowski announced Thursday in an interview with FCI TV the team has withdrawn its interest in signing Brazilian defender Daniela Alves Lima.
Lima, currently playing in Sweden for Linkopings FC on a five-month contract, made overtures to the United Soccer Leagues W-League franchise through her agent and the Lionesses offered her a two-year contract but financial terms could not be negotiated between them. Borkowski said Lima's terms were considered "unrealistic".

July 03, 2008

Women's cup finalists set

The Women's National Cups Finals will be held at the Starfire Sports Complex in Seattle, Washington on August 7-10, 2008.

Women's Open Cup Semi-Finals
Dallas Sting (TX) vs. Ajax America (WPSL)
United German Hungarians (PA) vs. FC Indiana (W-League)

Women's Amateur Cup Semi-Finals
Turbo D'Feeters (TX) vs. Colorado Sporting (CO)
New York AC vs. Eclipse Select (IL)

WPSL Team of the Week

F Mary-Frances Monroe (NEW ENGLAND MUTINY) - WPSL CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
This is the second time the diminutive-yet-deadly Monroe has been honored as the WPSL POTW this season, and for good reason. Her five-goal, three-assist onslaught over the two games this past weekend has secured a spot for the Mutiny in the East Conference playoffs - and with time to spare.
F Lindsay Giblin (FLORIDA SURGE) - WPSL CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
The NSCAA All-South Region Second Team honoree for Rollins College has scored four goals in the past two matches for the Surge, including a big road win at F.C. Thomasville. Giblin has become a goal-scoring force during this inaugural season for the Surge and her high work rate led to a superb volley against Orlando on a sweltering Sunday afternoon.
F Gabrielle Bohlman (SAN FRANCISCO NIGHTHAWKS)
By taking the UC-Davis midfielder and moving her forward while doing the "vice-versa" with her counter-part, the Nighthawks were able to really get their offense going as the former Hawaii Wahine netted an impressive hat-trick in a big win against F.C. Sacramento. The seven goals were the most San Francisco has tallied in one match all season and one shy of their 2008 season tally.
MF Alicia Hall (ATLANTIC CITY DIABLOS)
The East-Mid-Atlantic race is a tight one and getting three goals in two games - plus an outstanding midfield performance - last weekend from their 2007 All-WPSL selection was just what the "Driver" ordered (i.e. head coach Matt Driver).
MF Shari Summers (WEST COAST F.C.)
The Stanford star makes her second appearance on the WPSL TOTW a vital one, as she scored the eventual game-winner versus the sliding Los Angeles Rampage in a 2-0 shutout win in Pacific-South action - putting WCFC at the top of the division, for the time being. Summers helped set the tempo from her center midfielder position, connecting and creating multiple offensive attacks on Saturday as well as Sunday.
MF Michelle Provenzano (PALM BEACH UNITED)
The former University of Miami standout did her Palm Beach United side proud, helping to secure two wins while scoring a hat-trick against Orlando and locking up the midfield against Puerto Rico. With a 5-1-2 record, PBU is still in the hunt for the Sunshine Conference title.
MF Karina Camacho (ARIZONA RUSH)
The University of Arizona midfielder earned a goal and an assist in a 4-1 victory over Northern Arizona Cheetahs and netted the game-winning goal in the 1-0 victory over the Utah Spiders, putting Rush in first place in the tight Big Sky-North race.
MF Ashli Sandoval (SD UNITED)
The USC Trojan contributed a key assist off a set piece to even the match at 1-1 that shifted the momentum for her team in the 3-1 win over West Coast F.C. Sandoval's tough mid-field distribution and defensive work was key in the critical victory to keep United alive in the playoff race.
D Kendal Billingsley (WEST COAST F.C.)
Another two-time WPSL TOTW selection, the former UCLA stalwart denied the L.A. Rampage attack any quality shot on frame in the team's important shutout win. Billingsley specifically shut down the Rampage's leading goal scorer and four-time offensive MVP Marihelen Tomer and denied any shots from the center of the field all weekend long.
D Manya Makoski (SOCCERPLUS CT)
A multiple nominee this season, the outside back for the Reds has been rock solid in every game for SoccerPlus CT this season - where the defense has given up only one goal. With the win over New York, the undefeated Reds can now look forward to their second straight appearance in the East Conference playoffs.
D Mara Wyttenbach (MYSC LADY BLUES)
The former Clemson and Wisconsin standout was instrumental in organizing the defense and containing a strong Ohio Premier attack in a win in Midwest action. While short in stature, Mara was explosive in the air and was quick to make runs forward to contribute to MYSC's offense while thwarting what appeared to be promising possession for the Ohio squad.
D Deidre Bass (MIAMI KICKERS F.C.)
Another former Hurricane and multiple nominee makes this week's WPSL TOTW, as the captain of Miami Kickers F.C. shut down every offensive attack from the middle of the field in the shutout win over Puerto Rico.
GK Kelly Sisley (FLORIDA SURGE)
The Surge goalkeeper has played an astounding 205 minutes without allowing a goal and in the win over the Falcons, Kelly played the first half and came up with two big saves that snuffed out scoring opportunities. In the Surge's previous two matches against Puerto Rico and F.C. Thomasville, Sisley played flawless in holding a strong Capitals team scoreless and saving numerous Dragon shots to record two shutouts on the road.

W-League Team of the Week

Chicago Gaels defender Jennifer Anderson-Hammond scored a combined two goals in a pair of shutout wins this past weekend to be named Wednesday United Soccer Leagues W-League Player of the Week for the 11th week of the 2008 season.

USL W-LEAGUE TEAM OF THE WEEK
G - Carianne Betts, Cleveland Internationals
Had eight saves in a shutout victory over undefeated Minnesota Lightning
D - Fatima Leyva, FC Indiana Lionesses
Led team to a 6-0 win over Fort Wayne Fever
D - Anna Caniglia, Ottawa Fury
Scored a goal, assisted on another in victory over Hamilton Avalanche
M - Emilie Mercier, Laval Comets
Was Most Valuable Player in 2-1 win over Hamilton Avalanche
M - Tricia DiPaulo, Jersey Sky Blue
Scored lone goal in 1-0 victory over New Jersey Wildcats
M - Noelle Meeke, New York Magic
Scored a goal in team's first win of the 2008 season
M - Sarah Killion, Fort Wayne Fever
Scored 90th minute game-winning goal against Michigan Hawks
F - Kathryn Eriksson, Fort Collins Force
Had hat trick in 4-1 win over Ventura County Fusion
F - Sarah Steinmann, Atlanta Silverbacks
Had hat trick in 4-0 win over Bradenton Athletics
F - Brittany Kinmond, Rochester Rhinos
Had hat trick in 3-0 win over Vermont Lady Voltage

FC Indiana could play next season at Bush Stadium

The ownership group of the FC Indiana Lionesses of the United Soccer Leagues W-League announced Wednesday they are in discussions with city officials in Indianapolis to discuss the possible renovation of Bush Stadium as a home site for next season.

July 02, 2008

USA 4, Norway 0

The US Women’s National Team won for the first time ever in Norway, defeating the host country, 4-0, on goals from four different players, including three in the second half.
Lindsay Tarpley gave the US the early lead in the 4th minute, with Carli Lloyd scoring in the 52nd and Angela Hucles in the 84th.
Abby Wambach capped the scoring in the 87th minute with her 99th career goal, running onto a through ball from substitute Amy Rodriguez before slotting her left-footed shot into the lower right corner. The goal gives Wambach 99 in 124 games and puts her within one of becoming the fifth US player, and ninth female player in world history, to notch 100 career international goals.

Is WPS in trouble?

“The biggest hindrance to the Red Stars might be the young and unstable nature of WPS itself. The league launches with at least five start-up franchises. Only the Boston Breakers and Washington Freedom have maintained teams, market presence and some level of staffing since playing in the WUSA before its 2003 demise. Jersey Sky Blue has been fielding women’s teams in recent years, but Los Angeles, Dallas and St. Louis lag well behind. According to the WPS website, none of those three has announced stadium leases, team names and staff.”

July 01, 2008

Pali Blues 2, Fort Collins 0

The Pali Blues Soccer Club (9-0-0) continued their unbeaten run on Monday night, fighting off a determined Fort Collins Force (3-4-2) for a 2-0 victory at the Stadium by the Sea. With the result, the Pali Blues are just one win away from taking the regular season crown in the Western Conference.