Four Breakers Named to U.S. Women's National Team World Cup Roster

Published on May 9, 2011 under Women's Professional Soccer (WPS)
Boston Breakers News Release


Allston, MA (May 9, 2011) - Four members of the Boston Breakers have earned a spot on the U.S. Women's National Team's 2011 World Cup roster.

U.S. Head Coach Pia Sundhage named defenders Rachel Buehler, Stephanie Cox, and Amy LePeilbet, and forward Lauren Cheney to her 21-player roster. The players will represent the U.S. at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, which takes place from June 26th to July 17th in Germany. The U.S. will compete in Group C along with Sweden, Colombia, and Korea DPR. Their first match is June 28th against Korea DPR in Berlin followed by matches against Colombia (July 2nd) and Sweden (July 6th).

Three of the four Breakers will make their first-ever World Cup appearance. Cox played in all six matches at the 2007 Women's World Cup in China, one in which the U.S. finished third. Cox, Buehler, and Cheney all have Olympic gold medals from the U.S. victory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and for LePeilbet, this is her first major international FIFA competition outside of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

"I am very proud of our National Team players, and that includes Kelley O'Hara, even though she did not get the call-up this time," Boston Breakers Head Coach Tony DiCicco said. "Kelley is a young star with her best soccer and a wonderful international career ahead of her. I want to congratulate our other Breakers National Team players for making the World Cup Team, which, of course, is a wonderful opportunity to represent your country against the world's best."

Between the four World Cup bound Breakers, they have a combined 213 caps and and 14 goals for the U.S. Cheney has scored 13 of those goals, including seven during 2010. In 2011, Cheney (39 total caps), started five of the seven games she appeared in and scored two goals to go along with one assist.

"Lauren Cheney is a force on the field. She can hold the ball up top with the best in the world, and I'm sure is going to score key goals for the USA in Germany," said DiCicco, who coached the 1999 U.S. Women's National Team to a World Cup title.

Buehler (56 caps) played 666 minutes in 2011, the most of any field player this year on the National Team. She started seven of the eight games she appeared in. She made 17 starts in 2010 and logged 1,474 minutes, second only to Abby Wambach (1,516). Buehler had a goal and an assist in 2010. At the 2008 Olympics, Buehler played in two matches for the U.S.

Rachel Buehler is an amazing competitor who can win head balls, serve long balls, and duel with any attacker," DiCicco said.

Cox, who has the most experience with the USWNT out of all the Breakers with 71 caps, appeared in seven matches (four starts) for the U.S. in 2011. In 2010, she played 554 minutes in nine games, six of which she started. On her way to winning the gold in Beijing in 2008, Cox started four of the five matches she played in.

"Stephanie Cox is an exceptional server of the ball from the left side who will likely link up with Abby Wambach on some of those serves," DiCicco said. "She is also a smart defender and a real student of the game."

LePeilbet, who earned her first National Team cap on Jan. 20, 2004, against Sweden, started every game of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers in Mexico, her first CONCACAF tournament with the U.S. senior side. LePeilbet (47 caps) started all three matches she played in for the U.S. in 2011. She started all 17 matches she appeared in during 2010, playing 1,439 minutes (third most on the team).

"Amy LePeilbet is an exceptional defender who takes such pride in her craft," DiCicco said. "She has the ability to defend speed or strength and is one of the best 1v1 defenders in the world."

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