When Shek Borkowski talks, people should really listen. Borkowski won four trophies with FC Indiana before making the move to Russian champions Zvezda-2005 last fall. In a recent interview with wsoccernews.com, Borkowski shared his thoughts on who the best women’s soccer players in the world are.
Brazilian forward Marta was obviously on top of his list, but he also said that North Korea midfielder Jo Yun-mi is up there with Marta as well. Borkowski said that “right now despite the fact that WPS is based on athleticism and exciting disorganization, there still is plenty of individual talent… and I give WPS the edge.”
Below is his list of what his World XI would look like:
————————————–Hope Solo (USA)—————————————–
Clare Polkinghorne (AUS) —— Annike Krahn (GER) ——— Babett Peter (GER)
———————————–Therese Sjogran (SWE)———————————-
Kerstin Garefrekas (GER) ——-Jo Yun-mi (PRK) ——– Lori Chalupny (USA)
—————————————Marta (BRA)—————————————–
——————-Inka Grings (GER)———– – Abby Wambach (USA)————–
From an American perspective, it is interesting to see Lori Chalupny on that list. Chalupny is not a player that gets as much attention as some of the more high-profile U.S. soccer players such as Christie Rampone, Abby Wambach and Hope Solo. She is also mysteriously yet to be cleared by the USSF although she is clear for WPS action.
It is refreshing to hear folks like Borkowski talk women’s football because it gives us – myself included – a perspective on the women’s game that we rarely hear. Women’s soccer coverage is extremely biased toward the United States and Europe, even more so than the men’s game due to a lack of in-depth coverage (and I include myself in that as well).
Surely next year’s Women’s World Cup will expose the world to some new stars, but there are still players throughout Asia, Africa and South America that could compete at higher levels but do not get any exposure. There are even players in the United States and Europe – areas that get at least some attention – that go unnoticed.
