Spiga

June 9, 2010

WPS Midweek Notes - June 9


All-Star Team Announced

WPS has announced the first 22 players that will participate in this year's All-Star match in Atlanta. The captains of the two teams will be Abby Wambach of Washington and Marta of FC Gold Pride. The 22 players were selected in a combined vote of players, fans, media, and coaches.

The players by position:

Goalkeepers: Karen Bardsley (Sky Blue), Hope Solo (Atlanta).
Defenders: Rachel Buehler (Gold Pride), Tina Ellertson (Atlanta), Allison Falk (Philadelphia), Amy LePeilbet (Boston), Brittany Taylor (Sky Blue), Cat Whitehill (Washington).
Midfielders: Sonia Bompastor (Washington), Shannon Boxx (Gold Pride), Lori Chalupny (Atlanta), Kristine Lilly (Boston), Lori Lindsey (Philadelphia), Aya Miyama (free agent), Heather O'Reilly (Sky Blue), Kelly Smith (Boston).
Forwards: Eniola Aluko (Atlanta), Ramona Bachmann (Atlanta), Lauren Cheney (Boston), Marta (Gold Pride), Christine Sinclair (Gold Pride), Abby Wambach (Atlanta).

Rodriguez Earns Player of the Week Honors

Amy Rodriguez of the Philadelphia Independence has won WPS Player of the Week honors. Rodriguez had a goal and an assist in Philadelphia's 2-1 victory over Sky Blue FC. The win vaulted the Independence in to a tie for 2nd place in the WPS standings.

Rodriguez became the second player from Philadelphia to earn the honor. Lori Lindsey won Player of the Week back in April.

Around The League

Atlanta Beat - Hope Solo became the first goalkeeper to earn shutouts with two different teams in the same season against Chicago. She had earlier blanked FC Gold Pride in Athletica's season opener.....Leigh Ann Robinson is now the only Atlanta player to have started and finished all seven matches for the Beat.....The Beat have now been shut out for 425 consecutive minutes, just shy of the Red Stars' record of 451 minutes.

Boston Breakers - Kelly Smith continues to be the most fouled player in the league with 22 fouls suffered.....The Breakers are coming off of a bye week. Last season, in games they played after having 10 or more days off, they were 0-3.....The last three times Boston has shut out an opponent, they have also failed to score.

Chicago Red Stars - The Red Stars have only given up 4 goals in five home games.....Four Chicago Reds Stars (Marian Dalmy, Katie Chapman, Kate Markgraf, and Jill Loyden) have played every minute so far this season.....Chicago's last 1st half goal was on August 2, 2009 by Carli Lloyd.

FC Gold Pride - Marta scored her 4th goal of the season on Saturday against Washington. She is tied for the WPS lead in that category.....Four different Gold Pride players have game winning goals (Christine Sinclair, Tiffeny Milbrett, Marta, Carrie Dew).....Gold Pride extended their home unbeaten streak to seven on Saturday night.

Philadelphia Independence - The Independence have not lost at home, with a 3-0-1 record at John A. Ferrell Stadium.....Amy Rodriguez has 19 of her team's 45 shots on goal.....The second oldest member of the Independence, Sara Larsson, is the only Philly player to have played every minute for them.....Philadelphia's will play Gold Pride for the 1st time this weekend and it will be a battle for 1st place.

Sky Blue FC - Sky Blue has received only two cautions this season, tied for lowest in the league.....Laura Kalmari scored her 4th goal of the season last weekend, tying her for WPS lead.....Brittany Taylor is one of only two domestic rookies to make the starting team of the All-Star game.

Washington Freedom - The Freedom are now unbeaten in their last five matches, outscoring their opponents by an 8-3 margin over that time.....Becky Sauerbrunn continues her consecutive minutes streak, which has spanned 28 games (plus a playoff game) over two seasons.....The Freedom's last 3 goals have come in the 1st half in stark contrast to their history of being a 2nd half team.

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