Flash Announces 2014 20-Player Roster
April 7, 2014 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Western New York Flash News Release
ELMA, N.Y. ( Monday, April 7, 2014 ) - With 2014 National Women's Soccer League season set to begin this weekend, the Western New York Flash has announced its 2014 roster.
The Flash will again be led by two-time FieldTurf Coach of the Year Aaran Lines, who led the club to three-consecutive championships from 2010-2012 and the inaugural NWSL Shield in 2013. Lines will be assisted by Pedro Martinez Losa and newly-appointed goalkeeper coach Rudy Pompert.
Lines and company are coming off of a 2013 season that saw a record of 11-5-8, including an 11-game home undefeated streak that spanned 122 days . The club led the NWSL in goals scored (36), while conceding the least (20) and earned the right to host the league's championship game at Sahlen's Stadium.
For 2014, the Flash will return its top five scorers from last season. U.S. Women's National Team stars Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd, who led the Flash with 11 goals and 10 goals last year, respectively, will look to repeat as the league's highest-scoring tandem. Western New York will also welcome back Samantha Kerr and Adriana Martin, who will continue to add goal scoring options for the Flash.
In addition, the Flash has boosted its international presence as the team acquired FC Barcelona midfielder Vicky Losada and Sydney FC forward Emma Kete during the offseason. Midfielders McCall Zerboni and Angela Salem, who have been staples to the WNY Flash system, will again suit up in Rochester.
Defensively, 2013 Best XI honoree defender Brittany Taylor will direct the back line, and will be supported by returning outside back Katherine Reynolds. Amy Barczuk, a versatile defender/midfielder, also comes back for her second season with WNY. In addition, the Flash recently acquired Kat Williamson from Portland Thorns FC, a second-year player who, during her rookie campaign, received much praise for her play at the center back position.
The Flash goalkeeping options will be new faces for the Sahlen's Stadium crowd, but both have proven track records and should compete for Sunday's starting position. After losing 2013 Goalkeeper of the Year runner-up Adrianna Franch during the opening week of preseason, the Flash acquired Australia Women's National Team goalkeeper Lydia Williams and later signed 2014 second-round draft pick Kelsey Wys, who led Florida State to the 2013 NCAA Championship game.
The full 2014 WNY Flash roster is as follows:
GOALKEEPERS (2): Lydia Williams (Canberra United), Kelsey Wys (Florida State University)
DEFENDERS (7): Amy Barczuk (WNY Flash), Kristen Edmonds (FC Rossiyanka), Haley Palmer (San Diego State), Katherine Reynolds (WNY Flash), Brittany Taylor (WNY Flash), Kathryn Williamson (Portland Thorns FC), Courtney Verloo (Stanford University)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Vicky Losada (FC Barcelona), Carli Lloyd (WNY Flash), Kristen Meier (Seattle Reign FC), Angela Salem (WNY Flash), Courtney Wetzel (Portland Thorns FC), McCall Zerboni (WNY Flash)
FORWARDS (5): Adriana Martin (WNY Flash), Samantha Kerr (WNY Flash), Emma Kete (Sydney FC), Jasmyne Spencer (Washington Spirit), Abby Wambach (WNY Flash)
The Flash will begin the 2014 season with two games on the road, opening at Washington on Sunday at 4 p.m. Following a game at Chicago on April 19, the Flash will welcome Portland Thorns FC to Sahlen's Stadium on May 3 in a rematch of the 2013 NWSL Championship. Individual tickets for that game, and all Flash home games, can be purchased at wnyflash.com or by calling the Sahlen's Stadium Box Office at (585) 454-KICK.
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National Women's Soccer League Stories from April 7, 2014
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- Flash Announces 2014 20-Player Roster - Western New York Flash
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- Western New York Flash Add Four to Roster - Western New York Flash
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