Terrible team names: Women's 'soccer' gets the American treatment

'People are always doing something to get noticed, but I think the skirt may or may not take off here.'

Colorado looking to join WPS in 2011

Dr. Bob Contiguglia, a former president of the U.S. Soccer organization and Colorado resident, disclosed that he’s working with an initiative to put a WPS franchise in Colorado by 2011.

Pali Blues add assistant

The Pali Blues Soccer Club formally announced today the addition of Shayon Jalayer to their coaching staff for the upcoming W-League season. After winning the 2008 league crown in their inaugural year, Jalayer will join the Blues’ bench on Saturday, May 9th, when they begin their title defense against the Los Angeles Legends at the Stadium by the Sea.
Jalayer brings a wealth of soccer experience to the Blues. He currently owns Soccer Odyssey, which has been training athletes, in a variety of formats, over the past 10 years in Southern California. The USSF National License holder serves as the associate head coach of the women’s side at Riverside Community College, and he concurrently presides over Corona United SC as their technical director. As a player for Azusa Pacific University, Jalayer was his team captain and received MVP honors of the Cougars from 1994-1995. He also enjoyed a professional career in the Iran Premiere League for Teraktor Sazi in 2002, as well as five years with the Washington Stars of the American Professional Soccer League. He also represented Iran in the 1995 World Futbol Rapido Championships and the USA in the 1994 Futsal World Cup.

Makoski ready to star on March 29th

And on March 29, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., against the Washington Freedom, Makoski will make her Women's Professional Soccer league debut.
"I'm going to be playing with the best players in the world," the 25-year-old Makoski said. "I never thought that I'd make it this far. It's always been my dream, but now it's a reality."
And she'll be playing with such names as Marta, who was named by FIFA as the best female player in the world in 2006 and is a three-time FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, and U.S. national team members Aly Wagner and Shannon Boxx.

Pali Blues sign star forward

The defending W-League champion Pali Blues Soccer Club bolstered its roster today with the addition of Stanford striker Christen Press. The Blues will continue making acquisitions over the upcoming months in preparation for their sophomore season debut, which will take place on Saturday, May 9th, against the Los Angeles Legends at the Stadium by the Sea.
Press started every game of her sophomore season for Stanford this past fall and received All-Pac 10 Second Team and Top Drawer Soccer Second Team accolades. She led the Cardinal offense with 43 points on 16 goals and 11 assists and has already accumulated 65 points on 24 knocks and 17 helpers in only two seasons in Central California.

Chastain plays to fans who remember her soccer glory

With her husband, Jerry Smith, caddying for her, Chastain showed some impressive ability on the course, smacking long, straight drives on most holes and displaying a soft touch around the greens.
As she waited to tee off on No. 14, she struck up a conversation with a man drinking coffee in his backyard. A few minutes later, she waved at somebody at a backyard party who sang out, "Here we go, Brandi, here we go!"
After blasting her best tee shot of the day on No. 18, she hollered, "That one was for you, Connor!"
Seconds later, a chubby man pulled up his shirt, flashing his bare belly at her — an apparent homage to her famous and infamous celebration at the '99 World Cup, when she stripped off her jersey, down to her sports bra, after scored the tournament-winning kick.

Six players finalize contracts with Sky Blue FC

Sky Blue FC - the NJ/NY franchise in Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) - announced today that the team has finalized contracts with six players for the 2009 season. The officially signed players are Brazilian Rosana, Australians Sarah Walsh and Collette McCallum, and Americans Cori Alexander, Keeley Dowling, and Jenny Hammond.

SF Nighthawks wins 2009 Silver Mug Cup

Under an ominous gray sky, the San Francisco Nighthawks of the Pacific Conference of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) won the 2009 Silver Mug Soccer Invitational Tournament, with a 5-0-1 record while capturing 49 out of a possible 60 points. The Nighthawks out-scored their opposition by a 15-2 margin, taking the final against Salt Lake City Sparta of the WPSL Big Sky Conference by a 2-0 score.
Led by 2008 All-Pacific Conference selection Kimberly Boulos (2g, 2a) and Seattle Pacific (reigning NCAA DII National champions) standout & All-West Region honoree Jocelyn Charette (7g, 2a), the Nighthawks were relentless on attack the entire tournament - who were bolstered by the addition of 2007 WPSL Final Four MVP Maria Ruiz to the squad. The tempo of the games was provided by both Boulos (playing as an attacking midfielder) and defensive center midfielder Erica Dubin (an All-West Region selection for NCAA DIII UC-Santa Cruz), who played every minute of the six matches.

Kelly Smith

Kelly Smith reportedly signs a four year contract worth $95,000/season.

U23: USA 3, England 0

The US U-23 Women’s National Team took on England yesterday (2/6) in La Manga, Spain. Brittany Klein, Amanda Cinalli and Lorraine Quinn had the goals.

WPSL grows to 54 teams

In a big year of firsts and new clubs in the Puget Sound area you can now add the Seattle Synergy to your soccer radar. This fledgling club will play in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) in 2009 and give local female players a stepping stone to the W-League and Women's Professional Soccer (WPS.)

This league is 54 teams strong nationwide. Top names like Tony Diccio have coached in this league (Connecticut) and now he's with the WPS team the Boston Breakers. This league is serious women’s soccer! This can create a great WPS feeder system.

Algarve Cup roster

U.S. Women's National Team 2009 Algarve Cup Roster (March 4-11, 2009)
GOALKEEPERS
Nicole Barnhart (FC Gold Pride), Hope Solo (St. Louis Athletica).
DEFENDERS
Rachel Buehler (FC Gold Pride), Lori Chalupny (St. Louis Athletica), Kendall Fletcher (Los Angeles Sol), Heather Mitts (Boston Breakers), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC).
MIDFIELDERS
Shannon Boxx (Los Angeles Sol), Tina DiMartino (FC Gold Pride), Carli Lloyd (Chicago Red Stars), Heather O'Reilly (Sky Blue FC), Lindsay Tarpley (Chicago Red Stars), Kacey White (Sky Blue FC), Angie Woznuk (St. Louis Athletica).
FORWARDS
Angela Hucles (Boston Breakers), Natasha Kai (Sky Blue FC), Megan Rapinoe (Chicago Red Stars), Amy Rodriguez (Boston Breakers).

U23: USA 1, Norway 0

The US U-23 Women’s National Team took on Norway earlier today in La Manga, Spain. Yael Averbuch scored for the US in the 73 minute.

Lines to coach Buffalo Flash

The Buffalo Flash of the United Soccer Leagues and their recently acquired head coach, former New Zealand international and USL-1 veteran Aaran Lines, announced their intention to field a team of professional players in their first year of W-League competition.
Lines is an experienced international player with 41 appearances for New Zealand, participating in the 1999 and 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup with New Zealand during his national team career. Lines has played for clubs in Germany, New Zealand, Poland, and most recently in the United States for the USL First Division Rochester Rhinos. He began his USL-1 stint with the Portland Timbers in 2005 and played his final two seasons with the Rhinos, seeing action in 66 USL-1 regular season games and recording three goals and seven assists. His club advanced to the postseason all three seasons with the Rhinos reaching the USL-1 Championship game in 2006.

Maryland Pride announce new GM & head coach

Thunder Soccer Club is pleased to announce that the TSC Maryland Pride of the East Conference of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) has hired a new General Manager and Head Coach for the Summer 2009 season. The new G.M. will be Tony Corbett, who has been a long time coach in the Maryland area and will continue to serve as the Director of Coaching for all of Thunder's youth teams, as he has since 2001.
As part of the re-organization, the Howard County based club has also been interviewing for a new Head Coach and after an extensive search, they are very pleased to announce the appointment of Blackpool, England native Steve Knapman. The 33-year-old former professional has been coaching and playing in the Maryland area for the past 12 years.

WPS schedule

Women's Professional Soccer plans to unveil its complete league schedule Thursday afternoon.

"Formiga is the best midfielder in the world" says Montoya

FC Gold Pride, the Bay Area franchise of Women’s Professional Soccer announced today the signing of Brazilian Soccer standout Formiga, to a one-year contract. FC Gold Pride selected Formiga as the first overall draft pick at the WPS International Draft.
"With Formiga, we have signed the best midfielder in the world," said FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. "She holds teams together. I spoke to several coaches from around the world before selecting her in the WPS international draft. She is consistently regarded around the world as the engine of her team. She embodies the heart and soul of the Brazilian National team and we are looking forward to having her bring her talent and passion to FC Gold Pride."
The 30 year old native of Sao Paulo, Brazil has been a constant presence on the Brazilian national team for 15 years, representing her country in four World Cup competitions (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007) and four Olympic tournaments (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008). The talented midfielder has been a leader and a catalyst for the marked rise of women’s soccer in Brazil. She has twice helped Brazil reach the Olympic gold medal match (2004, 2008) and twice captured the Pan American Games Championship (2003, 2007), lifting her team to victory in 2003 by scoring the game-winning goal in the match.

Miyama signs with LA

The L.A. Women's Professional Soccer entrant describes Aya Miyama "as the cornerstone of the Japanese Women's National Team and observes she is "touted as one of the best young players in the world."
She'll be introduced at a 10 a.m. press conference at Home Depot Center. This is a big deal in the Japanese-language press with more than a half dozen outlets attending the event.
The English remember her - and gave her the nickname - after she scored two goals from direct free kicks against them at the 2007 Women's World Cup.

Chicago Red Stars add two Swedes

The Chicago Red Stars have secured the services of Sweden’s Frida Östberg & Caroline Jönsson for the 2009 WPS season, General Manager Marcia McDermott announced today. With a combined 15 years and 158 caps on the international stage, the veteran Swedes will bring a wealth of experience and a championship pedigree to the Chicago Red Stars.

Chicago Red Stars sign Australia's Garriock

The Chicago Red Stars have signed Australian midfielder Heather Garriock for the 2009 WPS season, General Manager Marcia McDermott announced today.
Garriock, 26, is a 10-year veteran of the Australian National Team, having earned 112 caps and scoring 19 goals. She made her Australian National Team debut in 1999 at the age of 16, and has competed in two World Cups and two Olympics.