Athletica's Cooper continues his battle for improvement of soccer

St. Louis Athletica owner Jeff Cooper might just be starting to feel like one of those performing dogs in the circus - jumping through hoops.
Cooper, whose life's work for most of the just-ended decade has been bringing professional soccer back to St. Louis, received another setback earlier this week when the United States Soccer Federation decided not to grant sanctioning to Cooper's new North American Soccer League.

My message to USSF: Give support to one of the most dedicated and hardest working soccer people in this country.

Marta: World Player of the Year, But Not Perfect

So Messi won the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year Award, and Marta won the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year Award, and no-one was surprised. But should we have been? There’s enough out there about Messi, so let’s look at Marta and the women’s award for a moment.

It sure looks like the voters, the captains and coaches of national teams, sent in their ballots based on past reputation rather than present performance. “...the Euro champion and top scorer, and the UEFA Champions League winner Inka Grings should win the award.”

Athletica's Solo Named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year

The United States Soccer Federation has named Hope Solo one of four U.S. Soccer Athletes of the Year for 2009. Solo was honored as the Female Athlete of the Year, while her counterpart Landon Donovan was selected as the Male Athlete of the Year. Solo became the first goalkeeper to be honored with this award by U.S. Soccer.

Marta wins fourth consecutive FIFA award

Brazilian women's football star Marta won the FIFA world player of the year award for the fourth consecutive year here on Monday.
Marta, who plays professionally for Los Angeles Sol, thus becomes the record winner of the honour awarded by football's world ruling body.
American Mia Hamm won the inaugural women's award in 2001, winning again in 2002.
Germany's Birgit Prinz then picked up the award three years in a row from 2003-2005.

Morris is NJ Player of the Year

In July of 2008, Morris was featured in a Sports Illustrated article that projected 15 teenagers as players to watch at the time. Morris held up her end of the bargain with an impressive showing both locally and on the national level, where she played with the U-15 national team as a 13-year-old and currently is a member in the U-18 national pool.
Her stylish play also drew the interest of college recruiters across the country before Morris settled on powerhouse North Carolina, becoming the most recent in a long line of New Jersey products to find their way to Tobacco Road.

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FC Gold Pride to have new home

Hoping to boost revenue and fan appeal, the Bay Area’s pro women’s soccer club is switching home fields. FC Gold Pride, which began play in 2009 during the inaugural season of Women’s Professional Soccer, will play next year in Pioneer Stadium at California State University, East Bay.
The team played its first season in Santa Clara at Buck Shaw Stadium.
Pioneer Stadium offers seating for 5,000 people, about half the size of the facility in Santa Clara, which could help drive up demand for tickets, said Kessler.
FC Gold Pride attracted an average of about 3,600 fans per game, below the league average of 4,500 people. The team’s record was 4-10-6.

Waldrum Named Soccer America National Coach Of The Year

Notre Dame women's soccer head coach Randy Waldrum has been selected as the 2009 Soccer America National Coach of the Year, the publication announced Thursday.
Most college soccer observers agree the 2009 season produced the finest coaching performance of Waldrum's storied 28-year career, as he guided the Fighting Irish to a 21-4-1 record, their fourth consecutive NCAA College Cup appearance and a No. 4 ranking in the final NSCAA and Soccer America polls.

WPS Opening Weekend

Saturday, April 10, 2009
Washington Freedom vs. Boston Breakers, Maryland SoccerPlex, Boyds, MD

Sunday, April 11, 2009
Philadelphia Independence vs. Atlanta Beat, John A. Farrell Stadium, West Chester, PA Saint Louis Athletica vs. FC Gold Pride, The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park, Fenton, MO
Sky Blue FC vs. Chicago Red Stars, Yurcak Field, Piscataway, NJ

WPS stars score

Brazil beat Mexico 3-2 on Sunday in the four-nation women's soccer tournament in Sao Paulo to lead the standings on six points.
Marta (LA Sol), Cristiane (free agent) scored for Brazil and Monica Ocampo (Atlanta) scored twice for Mexico.

Is Sweden really done?

"Sweden have reached their peak both in terms of their national team and Damallsvenskan, and I think you will see countries such as Russia, France, Holland, England pass them by."

Australians to leave WPS?

Garriock and Walsh said the Matildas’ commitments next year could see them concentrating on national duties.
“We have a very full schedule with the Matildas; we have World Cup qualifiers in May and that might clash with the league,” Walsh said.

Bronze leaves UNC

University of North Carolina defender Lucy Bronze has left the university, "after being unhappy with her course of studies in the USA."
"Lucy's been very busy with her college football in America," said Sunderland boss Mick Mulhern.
"The game over there is much more based around fitness and chasing people down,"

Gulbrandsen signs with Gold Pride

FC Gold Pride has announced that the team has signed Norwegian midfielder Solveig Gulbrandsen, who was selected by the Pride in the 2009 International Discovery Draft.
With this signing, Gulbrandsen becomes the first Norwegian player in WPS history.
"We are excited to welcome Solveig and her family to the Pride," said FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. "Through the years, Gulbrandsen has asserted herself as one of Scandinavia's most respected players and one of Norway's most talented playmakers and finishers. Her experience, skills and leadership will help our team immensely. She is a great fit for our team system and our organization."

Jeff Cooper introduces partners

Men's professional soccer is set to return to St. Louis, this time under the team name AC St. Louis, which will be among 10 founding franchises in a resurrected version of the North American Soccer League.
The initials "AC" were chosen in appreciation of the support the team has received from members of the Missouri Athletic Club, according to Jeff Cooper.
Cooper, a well-respected Illinois attorney with the Simmons Law Firm, is a former college star at DePauw University.
He graduated in 1991 from DePauw University with a B.A. degree in political science and with a J.D. degree from St. Louis University Law School in 1995.
Cooper, who formerly sat on the board of the English League One football club Brentford, is recognized as one of the most influential persons in soccer in the US after helping establish the Women's Professional Soccer league and the reinvented NASL.
Jeff Cooper is also the owner and chairman of Saint Louis Athletica of Women’s Professional Soccer and his St. Louis Soccer United group oversees the largest youth soccer program in the Midwest, St. Louis Scott Gallagher, which is headquartered at the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park that in March was transferred to St. Louis Soccer United.
Cooper introduced his partners in the venture, Sanjeev and Heemal Vaid, brothers living in Britain who have invested in ventures ranging from fast food franchises to commodity trading (and now soccer). The team logo also was unveiled. It is a stylized fleur-de-lis - called a "Flame-de-lis," with a background curved to suggest the Gateway Arch.

Kelly Smith: How I beat the drink

What started as an American dream turned into a nightmare, forcing her father to fly out and bring her back home for rehab.

UNC 1, Stanford 0

That was certainly the feeling of North Carolina head coach Anson Dorrance and his senior-laden team after the third-ranked Tar Heels pitched a shutout at top-ranked Stanford Sunday afternoon, prevailing 1-0 in the 2009 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament championship game at Aggie Soccer Stadium before a stadium record crowd of 8,536.
The victory, powered by a goal by junior forward Jessica McDonald in the third minute of play, gave the Tar Heels their 20th NCAA title in the 28-year history of the NCAA Tournament, and Carolina's 21st championship in the sport overall when the 1981 AIAW title is included in the mix. UNC finished the season 23-3-1 overall and won the NCAA title with the fewest wins since the 2000 team won the title with a 21-3 mark. It was also the most losses UNC has had in an NCAA championship season since 2000 but those three regular-season losses and tie now seem like a distant memory to a team which ended the season on an 11-match winning skein.

WPS founder Cooper named acting commissioner of the NASL

St. Louis Athletica (WPS) and AC St. Louis (NASL) owner Jeff Cooper, has been named acting commissioner of the North American Soccer League.
A native of Granite City, Cooper played soccer under legendary coach Gene Baker at Granite City High School before continuing his playing career at DePauw University.
He graduated in 1991 from DePauw University with a B.A. degree in political science and with a J.D. degree from St. Louis University Law School in 1995. Cooper, who formerly sat on the board of the English League One football club Brentford, is recognized as one of the most influential persons in soccer in the US after helping establish the Women's Professional Soccer league and the reinvented NASL.

Nogueira's Late Goal Sends Tar Heels To Championship Game

Senior forward Casey Nogueira's 13th career NCAA Tournament goal proved to be a lucky one for the Tar Heels as it sent the third-ranked North Carolina women's soccer team to the finals of the 2009 tournament as Carolina blanked fifth-ranked Notre Dame 1-0 Friday night before a crowd of 8,026 at the Aggie Soccer Stadium.

Stanford coach calls O'Hara 'best college player'

Stanford women's soccer coach Paul Ratcliffe joined players Ali Riley, Kelley O'Hara, and Christen Press in a press conference to preview Friday's NCAA College Cup semifinal against UCLA.
Ratcliffe, who normally keeps his comments low key, broke from that for a moment, when asked about O'Hara, the senior forward who leads the nation in goals (25) and points (63).
"I always say that Kelly is an inspirational leader to this team year. She's a great competitor and her game has developed so much that she's creating great opportunities for others. And she's also capable of scoring at any time. Yes, she's been a fantastic player and I think she's probably the best college soccer player right now in the women's game."

WPS Features Three Finalists for FIFA World Player of the Year Award

Five weeks after announcing the nominees, FIFA announced the finalists for the 2009 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Award from its headquarters in Zurich on Monday with three of the five finalists for the award having played in WPS during the Inaugural Season. Finalists who played in WPS, all of them selected as 2009 WPS All-Stars, include (country/2009 team):
Cristiane, BRA/Chicago Red Stars
Marta, BRA/Los Angeles Sol
Kelly Smith, ENG/Boston Breakers

Matheson wanted by Barcellos

Saint Louis Athletica head coach and general manager Jorge Barcellos announced that the club has claimed the rights to Canadian midfielder Diana Matheson. Matheson has 94 caps for the Canadian Women’s National Team, appearing in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, the 2007 World Cup in China, and the 2003 World Cup in the United States.
“We are very pleased to have obtained the rights to a well established, international player of this caliber,” stated Barcellos. “Now we hope to sign her to a contract very quickly. Matheson will be filling an important role for our team this coming season.”

St. Louis Athletica ticket packages available

Athletica Holiday Packages are the gift that keeps on giving! Enjoy exclusive benefits only available to Athletica Season Ticket Holders, such as a player meet and greet party, pre game buffet, and so much more. Ticket Packages start as low as $110. With the purchase of 2010 Saint Louis Athletica Season tickets before January 1st, you will receive:

* Season Ticket holder Certificate Stocking Stuffer
* Athletica Holiday Card
* Limited edition 2010 Season Ticket Holder Soccer Scarf
* Invitation to the January 10th Athletica Open House

Finalists For U.S. Soccer Awards

The finalists for U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year Awards have been announced by the sport's governing body in the United States.

U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year Candidates
Shannon Boxx, Midfielder
Heather O'Reilly, Midfielder
Christie Rampone Defender
Hope Solo, Goalkeeper
Abby Wambach, Forward

U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year Candidates
Tobin Heath, Midfielder
Christine Nairn, Midfielder
Sydney Leroux, Forward
Kelley O'Hara, Forward
Katie Schoepfer, Forward

Is there a problem?

"The WPS site has an interview with new Sky Blue coach Pauliina Miettinen where she discussed scouting and what she looks for in potential players. Part of her research is finding out more about the player off the field: “I also want to know what they are really like, day-to-day, and also about their personality.” Um, ok. I’m all for co-workers getting along and finding the right fit and all that but it does seem that she mentions this sort of thing A LOT. And coupled with the fact that this is a women’s league and she’s a female coach, it tends to imply to the average person that maybe THIS IS ACTUALLY A HUGE PROBLEM IN WOMEN’S SPORTS."

Two international stars join St. Louis

Saint Louis Athletica Head Coach and General Manager Jorge Barcellos announced the signings of Swedish forward Madelaine Edlund and Brazilian midfielder Elaine. Edlund and Elaine both played last year with the Swedish club side Umea IK, which served as the opposition during the WPS All-Star Game held at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park on August 30. Saint Louis selected Edlund and Elaine during the 2009 WPS International Draft held on September 23.
“This is a very exciting addition to an already championship caliber team,” stated Barcellos. “In Madelaine Edlund we now have a player that can compliment and partner with Eniola Aluko. With Elaine we have a player that gives us a lot of dynamic ability in midfield, strengthening an already strong core we have there.”

Jeff Cooper continues development of soccer in the US

St Louis Athletica owner Jeff Cooper has spent millions in his pursuit of big-time soccer. But for now, the MLS dream is on hold. Instead Cooper has opted for the next best thing which does at least bring a men's team to St. Louis.
Cooper's group, St. Louis Soccer United will form a team to participate in a newly created outdoor league. The AC St. Louis team will join 6 other cities from the United States Soccer League. The season will start in April and the games will be played at Soccer Park in Fenton.
Cooper, a well-respected Illinois attorney with the Simmons Law Firm, is a former college star at DePauw University.
He graduated in 1991 from DePauw University with a B.A. degree in political science and with a J.D. degree from St. Louis University Law School in 1995.
Cooper, who formerly sat on the board of the English League One football club Brentford, is recognized as one of the most influential persons in soccer in the US after helping establish the Women's Professional Soccer league and the reinvented NASL.
Jeff Cooper is the owner and chairman of Saint Louis Athletica of Women’s Professional Soccer and his St. Louis Soccer United group oversees the largest youth soccer program in the Midwest, St. Louis Scott Gallagher, which is headquartered at the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park that in March was transferred to St. Louis Soccer United.

Gold Pride adds Canadian defender

FC Gold Pride (Bay Area) signed free agent Candace Chapman.

Why is Mitts playing?

The BC Fan was watching the updates of people who were watching webcasts of the Germany match (ah, the wonders of modern technology), and reports that the company line about solid defense was rather kind to Mitts, quelle surprise. The mystery is how not one, not two, but three generations of WNT coaches continue to play this semi-disaster area at the highest level. She must be a great practice player.

Why is Mitts playing?

The BC Fan was watching the updates of people who were watching webcasts of the Germany match (ah, the wonders of modern technology), and reports that the company line about solid defense was rather kind to Mitts, quelle surprise. The mystery is how not one, not two, but three generations of WNT coaches continue to play this semi-disaster area at the highest level. She must be a great practice player.

UNC 1, Maryland 0

The fourth-ranked North Carolina women's soccer team ended its 2009 regular season with a key Atlantic Coast Conference victory, edging No. 8 Maryland 1-0 before a crowd of 1,217 at Ludwig Field for the Terrapins' Senior Day.
After dropping a pair of games last weekend, the Tar Heels bounced back this week to go 2-0 and finish the regular season 14-3-1 overall and 7-3 in the ACC. Maryland fell to 12-4-2 overall and 4-4-2 in the ACC with the loss.

Borkowski to coach in Russia

Last season's UEFA Women's Cup runners-up have appointed Shek Borkowski as coach after the Polish technician's successful spell in charge of American club FC Indiana.
Borkowski led Indiana to an unprecedented Women's Professional Soccer League and US Women's Open Cup double in 2005, plus the 2007 league title another cup in 2008, and gained a repuation for spotting European talent.

UNC 5, NC State 0

The North Carolina women's soccer team scored three goals in the first 9:47 of play and rolled on to a 5-0 win over visiting NC State Friday evening at Fetzer Field. UNC improved to 11-1-1 overall and 4-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while the Wolfpack fell to 7-5-1 (2-3 ACC). Freshman Renee Premji led the way for the Tar Heels as she assisted on four tallies with five different players notching goals on the night.

LA Sol

"The Sol also did not pick up the option of Chinese forward Han Duan who made little impact between injuries, language issues and a lack of form and hopes to replace her with Czech midfielder-forward Pavlina Scasna, who formerly played in the WUSA with Philadelphia."

Virginia Tech 1, UNC 0

Virginia Tech rode a 10-save performance by Kristin Carden to a 1-0 victory over No. 1-ranked North Carolina in women's soccer action Sunday evening. Virginia Tech moves into sole possession of first place in the ACC with the victory with a 4-0 record while UNC loses this season for the first time, falling to 10-1-1 overall and 3-1 in the ACC.

WPS transactions

Sept. 30, 2009: The Washington Freedom waived the 2010 options for Parissa Eyorokon, Emily Janss and Kati Jo Spisak. Kristin DeDycker, Katie Forbis, Christen Karniski and Joanna Lohman were declared free agents.

Sept. 30, 2009: Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY) waived the 2010 options for Collette McCallum, Kelly Parker and Julianne Sitch. Cori Alexander, Mele French, Katie Hooker and Lauren Sesselman were declared free agents.

Sept. 30, 2009: Saint Louis Athletica exercised the 2010 options for Lori Chalupny and Kia McNeill and re-signed Tina Ellerston and Angie Woznuk. Saint Louis Athletica waived the 2010 options for Daniela and Sarah Walsh. Niki Cross, Sheree Gray, Erin Kane, Ashlee Pistorius, Lisa Stoia, Melissa Tancredi, Erin Walter and Christie Welsh were declared free agents.

Sept. 30, 2009: The Philadelphia Independence exercised the 2010 option for Kelly Schmedes.

Sept. 30, 2009: The Los Angeles Sol exercised the 2010 option for Stephanie Cox. The Los Angeles Sol waived the 2010 options for Han Duan, Martina Franko and Christie Shaner. Liz Bogus, Brittany Cameron, Lyndsey Patterson, Keri Sanchez, Lisa Sari, Julia Schnugg, Aly Wagner and McCall Zerboni were declared free agents.

Sept. 30, 2009: FC Gold Pride (Bay Area) exercised the 2010 options for Eriko Arakawa, Nicole Barnhart, Brandi Chastain, Tina DiMartino, Allison Whitworth and Kimberly Yokers. FC Gold Pride waived the 2010 options for Marissa Abegg, Adriane, Erika, Formiga and Tiffany Weimer. Greer Barnes, Sissi, Lindsay Massengale, Meagan McCray and Leslie Osborne were declared free agents.

Sept. 30, 2009: The Chicago Red Stars waived the 2010 options for Heather Garriock, Frida Ostberg and Lydia Williams. Cristiane, Jaimel Johnson, Carli Lloyd, Mary Therese McDonnell, Lydia Vandenbergh and Michelle Wenino were declared free agents.

Sept. 30, 2009: The Boston Breakers waived the 2010 options for Nancy Augustyniak Goffi and Candace Chapman. Abby Crumpton, Fabiana, Kristin Luckenbill, Heather Mitts, Sophia Mundy, Ashley Phillips and Erika Sutton were declared free agents.

Sept. 30, 2009: The Atlanta Beat exercised the 2010 options for Amanda Cinalli, Noelle Keselica, Katie Larkin, Sharolta Nonen and Leigh Ann Robinson. Sara Larsson was declared a free agent.

Sept. 29, 2009: The Boston Breakers traded Amy Rodriguez and their first pick in the 2010 WPS Draft (fifth overall) to the Philadelphia Independence for its first and second picks in the 2010 WPS Draft (second and 11th overall).

Sept. 28, 2009: The Washington Freedom exercised the 2010 options for: Lisa De Vanna, Jill Gilbeau, Sarah Huffman, Allie Long, Erin McLeod, Rebecca Moros, Homare Sawa, Alex Singer and Cat Whitehill.

Sept. 28, 2009: Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY) exercised the 2010 options for: Anita Asante, Yael Averbuch, Karen Bardsley, Jenni Branam, Keeley Dowling, Francielle, Kerri Hanks and Meghan Schnur. Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY) also exercised the mutual option for Rosana.

Sept. 28, 2009: Saint Louis Athletica exercised the 2010 options for: Eniola Aluko, Kendall Fletcher, Stephanie Logterman, Jillian Loyden and Elise Weber.

Sept. 28, 2009: The Philadelphia Independence exercised the 2010 options for: Danesha Adams, Jen Buczkowski, Nikki Krzysik, Lori Lindsey, Sarah Senty and Sue Weber.

Sept. 28, 2009: The Los Angeles Sol exercised the 2010 options for: Camille Abily, Brittany Bock, Allison Falk, Valerie Henderson, Karina LeBlanc and Manya Makoski. The Los Angeles Sol also exercised the mutual option for Aya Miyama.

Sept. 28, 2009: FC Gold Pride (Bay Area) exercised the 2010 options for: Rachel Buehler, Carrie Dew, Kristin Graczyk, Tiffeny Milbrett, Christine Sinclair and Kandace Wilson.

Sept. 28, 2009: The Chicago Red Stars exercised the 2010 options for: Marian Dalmy, Ifeoma Dieke, Chioma Igwe, Caroline Jonsson, Brittany Klein, Ella Masar, Jill Oakes, Megan Rapinoe and Natalie Spilger.

Sept. 28, 2009: The Boston Breakers exercised the 2010 options for: Christine Latham, Allison Lipsher, Mary-Frances Monroe, Kasey Moore, Jennifer Nobis and Maggie Tomecka. The Breakers also loaned Jennifer Nobis to Pitea of Sweden's Damallsvenskan until Nov. 10.

New coach in Jersey

"Miettinen is the current head coach for PK-35 in Helsinki, Finland, which is currently tied for first place in the Finnish Premier League. Prior to taking over at PK-35, she spent two years at FC Kontu in Helsinki, advancing her club to the Finnish Premier League midway through her first season at the helm."

Can FC Gold Pride be fixed?

Its public knowledge that Albertin "William Bligh" Montoya has lost the FC Gold Pride locker room sometime last May. Will it be long before Brandi Chastain takes his spot?