Just over a week ahead of the 2010 Women’s Professional Soccer All-Star Game and days ahead of the unique ‘Pick ‘Em’ event to decide teams, All-Star coaches Paul Riley and Albertin Montoya (along with league input) divided the All-Star reserves onto their respective teams. WPS also revealed the logos of each team, which will be led by Washington Freedom forward Abby Wambach and FC Gold Pride forward Marta. Those can be seen below.
Abby XI Reserves (green kits; Abby Wambach – Captain, Paul Riley – Coach)
Karen Carney, M (Chicago Red Stars)
Tasha Kai, F (Sky Blue FC)
Laura Kalmari, M (Sky Blue FC)
Angie Kerr, M (Atlanta Beat)
Jillian Loyden, GK (Chicago Red Stars)
Kelley O’Hara, F (FC Gold Pride)
Kate Markgraf, D (Chicago Red Stars)
Marta XI Reserves (white kits; Marta – Captain, Albertin Montoya – Coach)
Cristiane, F (Chicago Red Stars)
Erin McLeod, GK (Washington Freedom)
Christie Rampone, D (Sky Blue FC)
Amy Rodriguez, F (Philadelphia Independence)
Becky Sauerbrunn, D (Washington Freedom)
Alex Scott, D (Boston Breakers)
Caroline Seger, M (Philadelphia Independence)
Interestingly, Kelley O’Hara, the only FC Gold Pride reserve, was placed on Abby XI, not with teammate Marta and coach Montoya. Wambach’s Freedom teammates Becky Sauerbrunn and Erin McLeod were placed on Marta XI and Philadelphia’s Amy Rodriguez and Caroline Seger were as well, keeping them away from Riley, their usual coach. The starters will be selected by Wambach and Marta Monday night in Atlanta.
Abby XI will wear green kits? Is this an ode to Saint Louis? Already, Angie Kerr and Jillian Loyden should feel right at home after a year with Saint Louis. Surely more players will follow. Speaking of Saint Louis Athletica, below are details on how the draft picks that were traded away by folded teams will be dealt with. It’s clear and simple, which is what was needed from WPS after outrage over the Anita Asante to Saint Louis trade.
League Sets Draft Pick Guidelines for Teams that Folded
Following consultations with the WPS Technical Committee and the league Board of Governors (BoG), the following decisions have been approved by both in regards to draft picks held or traded by the Los Angeles Sol and Saint Louis Athletica. For trades involving the 2011 draft picks for either team, the scenarios are:
1.) For WPS teams receiving a 2011 pick from a team that has subsequently folded, since the team gave up something of value, they should be compensated. Therefore, they should still have the pick in the round they traded for, but the pick will be placed at the end of the round.
2.) For existing WPS teams which traded away a 2011 pick to a team that has subsequently folded: the team trading away the 2011 pick, loses the pick. The pick no longer exists.
Elsewhere
In other news, Philadelphia Independence forward Danesha Adams was named WPS Player of the Week for her one goal, two assist performance in Philly’s 4-1 win over Sky Blue FC.
And talk about an honor. Sky Blue FC’s 2009 championship team has been invited to the White House for a ceremony with President Barack Obama and the First Family. The team will present the Obama family with special Sky Blue FC Puma jerseys and be presented to a special presentation just like so many other domestic championship sports teams are. Check back for more on that Wednesday afternoon.
