USL Alumni Round-Up
Published on December 21, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1) News Release
CHICAGO, IL -- The U.S. Women's National Team will begin its 2006 schedule in the country in which it hopes to end 2007, traveling to China for the highly competitive Four Nations Tournament that will be contested from Jan. 18-22 featuring the USA, Norway, France and China. Seventeen W-League alumni, including 10 from the 2005 season, were named to the 28-player roster by head coach Greg Ryan.
A week of training at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., from Jan. 3-9, will precede the trip to the Far East. China will host the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup from Sept. 23-Oct. 13, 2007. U.S. head coach Greg Ryan has called in 28 players and will use the week of training at the HDC to select 20 for the tournament in Guangzhou that features four of the world's top ten teams according the latest FIFA Women's World Rankings. The USA is currently second, Norway is third, France is fifth and host China is ninth.
Ten of the 17 played in the W-League last season with Lindsey Tarpley, Heather O'Reilly, Christie Welsh and Kendall Fletcher representing the W-League champion New Jersey Wildcats. Carli Lloyd of the unbeaten 2004 W-League finalist Wildcats was also invited to the camp.
Heather Mitts and Danielle Fotopoulos played for the semifinalist Central Florida Krush. Jenni Branam and Amy LePeilbet played for the Arizona Heatwave last season while Tina Frimpong saw action with the Seattle Sounders for the third straight year and Marci Miller played in her sixth W-League campaign with the expansion Atlanta Silverbacks.
The trip marks the fifth time the USA has traveled to China in January for the Four Nations tournament, also participating in 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2004. Three times the USA has won the tournament, which always features four of the strongest teams in the world, taking top honors in 1998, 2003 and 2004. The tournament in 1998 marked the first time the U.S. women had returned to China since winning the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup. When the Americans touch down in southeastern China, it will be the sixth time in the last nine years they will have traveled to China, which includes a trip in 2001 that featured two exhibitions against the Steel Roses.
The USA's tournament opener against Norway could mark a historic milestone for U.S. captain and former Delaware Genie Kristine Lilly, as she is poised to earn her 300th cap. Already the world's leader in international matches played for men or women with 299 caps, Lilly would become the first player in soccer history to play 300 times for their country. Adding to the uniqueness of the event, Lilly earned her first-ever cap at the age of 16 in China more than 18 years ago.
Lilly heads a roster that features nine members of the 2004 Olympic gold medal winning squad, including goalkeeper Briana Scurry (Delaware Genies) and defender Christie Rampone (New Jersey Lady Stallions), both of whom return to the fold after a year away from the National Team. Rampone (formerly Pearce) took the year off to have her first child last October and Scurry, the USA's starter in five of its last six world championship tournaments, stepped away from the team to ponder retirement, but will now make a run for the 2007 Women's World Cup Team.
The training camp roster also features the USA's leading goal scorers from 2005 in Christie Welsh (seven goals, one assist), former Rochester Raven Abby Wambach (four goals, five assists) and Danielle Fotopoulos (four goals), as well as forward Tiffeny Milbrett and her 100 career goals. The U.S. women went undefeated in nine matches in 2005 and did not allow a goal while piling up an 8-0-1 record. The USA's current shutout streak is at 928 minutes and extends back to December of 2004.
In addition to Lilly, Scurry, Rampone and Wambach, the 2004 gold medalists on the training camp roster include defender Heather Mitts, midfielders Shannon Boxx (Boston Renegades), Lindsay Tarpley and Aly Wagner and forward Heather O'Reilly. Boxx was in Zurich, Switzerland, earlier this week for the FIFA World Player Gala as one of three finalists for FIFA Women's World Player of the Year (won for the third time in a row by German Ãber-forward Birgit Prinz. Boxx finished third).
Several young midfielders are also looking to challenge veterans Lilly, Boxx and Wagner for playing time. Tarpley, along with former Chicago Cobra Leslie Osborne, a member of the 2004 Olympic Residency Camp, and Carli Lloyd, who earned her first two caps in 2005, are all dynamic midfielders who have shown they can score and play-make.
2006 Four Nations Tournament Schedule - Guangzhou, China Date Match Kickoff Jan. 18 China vs. France 1:30 p.m. local / 12:30 a.m. ET USA vs. Norway 4 p.m. local / 3 a.m. ET Jan. 20 China vs. Norway 1:30 p.m. local / 12:30 a.m. ET USA vs. France 4 p.m. local / 3 a.m. ET Jan. 22 France vs. Norway 1:30 p.m. local / 12:30 a.m. ET USA vs. China 4 p.m. local / 3 a.m. ET
ROSTER BY POSITION - W-League experience listed US WNT Training Camp -- Home Depot Center -- Jan. 3-9, 2006 (a detailed roster is available at www.ussoccer.com)
GOALKEEPERS (4): Nicole Barnhart, Jenni Branam (Arizona Heatwave 2005), Briana Scurry (Delaware Genies 1998), Hope Solo; DEFENDERS (8): Lori Chalupny, Kendall Fletcher (New Jersey Wildcats 2005, Carolina Dynamo 2004), Tina Frimpong (Seattle Sounders 2003-05), Amy LePeilbet (Arizona Heatwave 2003, 2005, Chicago Cobras 2000-02), Stephanie Lopez, Heather Mitts (Central Florida Krush 2005, Tampa Bay Extreme 2000), Jill Oakes, Christie Rampone (New Jersey Lady Stallions 1998, Central Jersey Splash 1997); MIDFIELDERS (9): Shannon Boxx (Boston Renegades 1999), Carli Lloyd (New Jersey Wildcats 2004, South Jersey Banshees 2001, New Brunswick Power 2000, Central Jersey Splash 1999), Kristine Lilly (Delaware Genies 1998), Marci Miller (Atlanta Silverbacks 2005, Charlotte Lady Eagles 2004, Chicago Cobras 1997-00), Leslie Osborne (Chicago Cobras 2001), Lindsay Tarpley (New Jersey Wildcats 2005, Kalamazoo Quest 1998-99), Stacey Tullock, Aly Wagner, Angie Woznuk; FORWARDS (7): Danielle Fotopoulos (Central Florida Krush 2005, Tampa Bay Extreme 1998), Tiffeny Milbrett, Heather O'Reilly (New Jersey Wildcats 2004-05, New Brunswick Power 2000), Megan Rapinoe, India Trotter, Abby Wambach (Rochester Ravens 1998), Christie Welsh (New Jersey Wildcats 2005, Hampton Roads Piranhas 2001-02, Long Island Lady Riders 2000).
17 USL alumni among 30-man US camp roster Former USL players invited to Men's National Team training camp --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
CHICAGO, IL - Seventeen former USL players were among the list of 30 players invited to the upcoming US Men's National Team training camp January 4 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. by team manager Bruce Arena. The group will prepare for a series of friendlies to take place in January and February.
Highlighting the list is current Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who was honored as the Premier Development League Goalkeeper of the Year just over a year ago. He led the Chicago Fire Premier to an unbeaten 17-0-1 season in 2004 with a league-low 0.39 goals against average, allowing just five goals in 13 games.
The Fire Premier will also have two other alumni at the camp with 2002 midfielder Ricardo Clark and 2003-04 striker Chris Rolfe on the list. The Boulder Rapids Reserve and Bradenton Academics each had two players on the list with Kyle Martino representing Bradenton, Nate Jaqua representing Boulder and Heath Pearce, the lone European-based player on the roster, representing both.
Overall, nine players have PDL experience, while half of the USL alumni have played in the USL First Division. Brian Ching, now in Houston with MLS, is the lone representative to have played at both levels, earning the 1998 PDL Rookie of the Year honor in his first of two seasons with the Spokane Shadow and 2002 USL First Division All-League First team honors in his second season with the Seattle Sounders.
The U.S. will open 2006 action against Canada on Jan. 22 in San Diego (5 p.m. PT), then host Norway on Jan. 29 at The Home Depot Center (2 p.m. PT, ESPN2). The U.S. will play Japan for only the second time in history when they meet at SBC Park on Feb. 10 in San Francisco. The USA's first match in the city in 26 years kicks off at 8 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
"We eagerly look forward to seeing our domestic players," said U.S. Manager Bruce Arena. "We want to do the best job we can of making the roster as competitive as possible over the next six months so we can position our team to be successful in the World Cup. We view this camp and the games in January and February as critical towards our preparation for Germany."
FC Nordsjælland defender Heath Pearce, who made his debut for the senior team in the 1-1 draw against Scotland on Nov. 12 in Glasgow, is the only European-based player on the roster and is available because the Danish Super League is shut down for the winter break.
Arena has called four goalkeepers into camp, including both starters from MLS Cup '05 in Kevin Hartman and Matt Reis. Brad Guzan becomes the first player called from Chivas USA to a U.S. camp, and is one of five players making their debut. Former Super Y-League player Freddy Adu, Todd Dunivant, Ugo Ihemelu and Nate Jaqua round out the rookie class.
The U.S. will play two friendlies in March, including a visit to three-time World Cup champions Germany. The 2002 FIFA World Cup runners up will host the U.S. on March 22, 2006, in Dortmund, Germany, one off 12 cities hosting matches in the tournament next summer. Kickoff at the Westfalenstadion is set for 8 p.m. in Germany (2 p.m. ET), and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN. Fans can follow the match live on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker.
The USA was drawn into Group E for the 2006 FIFA World Cup along with the Czech Republic, Ghana, and Italy. The U.S. plays their opening match against the Czechs on June 12 in Gelsenkirchen at 12 p.m. ET. Five days later, the USA faces Italy in Kaiserslautern, and then finishes off group play against Ghana on June 22 in Nuremberg. The U.S. has chosen the northern port city of Hamburg as their base of operations throughout the tournament.
U.S. Men's National Team Training Camp Roster January 2006 - Cason, Calif.
ROSTER BY POSITION - USL Experience Listed (a detailed roster is available at www.ussoccer.com)
Goalkeepers (4) - Brad Guzan (Chicago Fire Premier 2004), Kevin Hartman, Matt Reis (Orange County Wave 2000), Jonny Walker (Jacksonville Cyclones 1997)
Defenders (8) - Chris Albright (US Pro 40 1999), Jimmy Conrad (US Pro 40, San Francisco Bay Seals 1999, San Diego Flash 1998), Todd Dunivant, Frankie Hejduk, Ugo Ihemelu, Chad Marshall, Heath Pearce (Boulder Rapids Reserve 2004, Bradenton Academics 2001-03), Eddie Pope
Midfielders (12) - Freddy Adu (U14 SYL D.C. United 2001), Brian Carroll (Richmond Kickers 2003), Ricardo Clark (Chicago Fire Premier 2002), Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Justin Mapp (Richmond Kickers, Hampton Roads Mariners 2002), Kyle Martino (Bradenton Academics 1998), Pablo Mastroeni, Pat Noonan (Michigan Bucks 2001-02, Kalamazoo Kingdom 2001, Team St Louis 1999), Ben Olsen (Hershey Wildcats 2001), Santino Quaranta (D.C. United), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution)
Forwards (6) - Brian Ching (Seattle Sounders 2001-02, Spokane Shadow 1998-99), Nate Jaqua (Boulder Rapids Reserve 2002), Eddie Johnson, Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire Premier 2003-04), Taylor Twellman, Josh Wolff (US Pro 40 1998)
13 W-League players headed to Canadian U20 Camp; 3 to US 12 USL players from 2005 season prepare for CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament
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Wednesday, December 21, 2005
OTTAWA, ON -- Canadian Women's U-20 National Team coach Ian Bridge announced his 20-player roster for an upcoming training camp in Ft. Lauderdale, FL from December 28 to January 8, 2006 and is preparing for the U20 Women's CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament that is scheduled to take place ten days after his training camp ends. Thirteen W-League players were invited to the camp, including 10 from the 2005 season. Three W-League veterans will also be headed to the US Camp Jan. 2-10.
Ten of the 13 played in the W-League last season with five representing two of the four semifinalists. Goalkeeper Erin McNulty and midfielder Veronique Miranda are from the finalist Ottawa Fury while Jodi-Ann Robinson, Sophie Schmidt and Emily Zurrer played for the third-place Vancouver Whitecaps.
Amanda Cicchini and Robin Rushton played for the expansion Toronto Lady Lynx, who reached the Eastern Conference final. Stephanie Labbe and Katie Radchuck played for the Western Mass Lady Pioneers last season while Caroline Vanderpool was a member of the first-year Vermont Lady Voltage.
Three USL players with two or more years in the W-League headed to the US Camp with Linday Beam (Charlotte Lady Eagles 2002-04), Nikki Krzysik (New York Magic 2005, New Jersey Lady Stallions (2002-04) and Jessica Rostedt (Cleveland Internationals 2004-05) on the 30-player list named by US U-20 Women's National Team coach Tim Schultz.
It is expected that Bridge will not only have to make some final decisions regarding his squad during the training camp in Ft. Lauderdale, but will have to make sure that this group is prepared for what they will face in Mexico shortly afterward.
'This is of course a very important preparation camp for the team just before CONCACAF qualifying - less than two weeks after this camp finishes," said Bridge. "With those time lines, I don't see many changes - if at all - between this squad and the squad that will go to Mexico and try to win the first ever CONCACAF U20 Women's Championship."
A quick glance at Bridge's team gives a clear illustration of the experience and depth available - a point that is certainly not lost on the 46 year-old.
"Team play, formations, patterns and details will be a big focus for us in Florida. What will certainly help is the fact that we have 11 players at this camp who were on the U19 team that qualified for Thailand in 2004, so I think we have players who know how to compete and how to win."
Bridge was also quick to point out that the steady flow of young, talented Canadian women that we have grown accustomed to seeing, has not dried-up.
"But as with earlier teams, we also have some exciting young talents mixed-in amongst the group that are learning fast and are pushing the 'veterans' - if you can call 19 year-olds veterans.'
CONCACAF has recently released the fixtures for the upcoming U20 Women's Qualifying Tournament.
The eight-team tournament, which will qualify three CONCACAF nations to the 2006 FIFA Women's U-20 World Championship in Russia from August 16 - September 2, will be played at the Estadio Rafael Murillo Vidal and Estadio Luis Pirata Fuentes in the cities of Córdoba and Veracruz, respectively.
Canada, the defending CONCACAF champion, has been grouped with tournament host, Mexico, along with Panama and Trinidad & Tobago in Group A. The Group A matches will take place at the Estadio Luis Pirata Fuentes, while the Estadio Rafael Murillo Vidal will stage the first round Group B fixtures.
The USA was drawn into Group B, which also features Jamaica, Surinam and El Salvador. Group A features reigning U-20 CONCACAF champions Canada and host Mexico along with Panama and Trinidad & Tobago. The Group A matches will be played in Veracruz at Luis Pirata Fuentes Stadium.
The USA opens the tournament on January 19 against Jamaica and then will face Surinam on January 21. The USA finishes Group B play on January 23 against El Salvador. All three U.S. matches kick off at 2:30 p.m. local time/3:30 p.m. ET.
The winners and runners-up of each group will earn a place in the event's semifinals at Veracruz's Estadio Luis Pirata Fuentes on January 25, with the winners of the semifinal games earning a place as CONCACAF representatives in FIFA's U-20 Women's World Championship.
CONCACAF's third spot in the FIFA event will be determined by a third-place play-off game between the two losing semifinalists at the Estadio Luis Pirata Fuentes on January 27, before the two finalists meet for the CONCACAF Women's U-20 crown later in the day.
CANADA - ALPHABETICAL ROSTER - W-League experience listed (a detailed roster is available at www.canadasoccer.com)
Name and Postition Adams, Paige F Alexander, Molly M Beckles, Vonya D/M Cicchini, Amanda M (Toronto Lady Lynx 2005) Collison, Lisa F (Toronto Inferno 2004) Hingwing, Eden D Iacchelli, Selenia M (Edmonton Aviators 2004) Jamani, Aysha F (Edmonton Aviators 2004) Kyle, Kaylen M Labbe, Stephanie GK (Western Mass Lady Pioneers 2005, Edmonton Aviators 2004) Maranda, Véronique M (Ottawa Fury 2005, Montreal Xtreme 2004) McNulty, Erin GK (Ottawa Fury 2005) Radchuck, Katie D (Western Mass Lady Pioneers 2005, Montreal Xtreme 2004) Robinson, Jodi-Ann F (Vancouver Whitecaps 2005) Rushton, Robin D (Toronto Lady Lynx 2005, Toronto Inferno 2004) Schmidt, Sophie M (Vancouver Whitecaps 2005) Scott, Desiree F Sleiman, Rhreanne F Vanderpool, Caroline M (Vermont Lady Voltage 2005, Montreal Xtreme 2004) Zurrer, Emily F/D (Vancouver Whitecaps 2005)
US - W-League Players (a full, detailed roster is available at www.ussoccer.com)
Beam, Lindsay M (Charlotte Lady Eagles 2002-04) Krzysik, Nikki D (New York Magic 2005, New Jersey Lady Stallions 2002-04) Rostedt, Jessica F (Cleveland Internationals 2004-05)
PDL and W-League alums shine in NCAA competition Garey, Sinclair head up honorees --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tampa, FL - The Premier Development League and W-League saw 40 of its players compete in the NCAA Division I College Cups with nine of those players winning National Championships. Five more alumni earned a title in the Division II championship.
On the men's side, former Chesapeake Dragons forward Jason Garey (pictured at left)and eight other PDL alumni led the University of Maryland Terrapins to the championship. Garey led the team in scoring with 22 goals and seven assists for 51 points. He was tabbed as Soccer America's Player of the Year and is a finalist for the Missouri Athletic Club's Hermann Trophy.
For the women, former Vancouver Breakers and Whitecaps forward Christine Sinclair (pictured at right) earned a championship for the University of Portland, along with two other W-League alumni. The Pilots finished the season unbeaten at 23-0-2. Sinclair, a member of the Canadian Women's National Team, set an NCAA single-season record after scoring two goals in the final to give her 39 on the year. She also is still in the running as a finalist for the Hermann Trophy.
Brian Plotkin (Chicago Fire Reserves-2003, Indiana Invaders-2005) of Indiana University and Jeff Rowland (Indiana Invaders-2003-04, Chicago Fire Reserves-2005) of the University of New Mexico are the other two finalists for the men's Hermann Trophy, making it a certainty that a PDL alum will win men's college soccer's most coveted award.
Joining Sinclair on the list of women's finalists is Katie Thorlakson, who won a W-League championship with the Vancouver Whitecaps and an NCAA title with the University of Notre Dame in 2004. The Hermann award winners will be announced during a press conference live on ESPNews on January 6, 2006 at 7pm ET.
Major League Soccer announced the players that are invited to the 2006 adidas MLS Player Combine and 37 of the 54 invitees have PDL experience. Thirteen of those players played at one time or another with the Chicago Fire Reserves while three competed with the Raleigh CASL Elite.
The 2005 NSCAA/adidas Men's Division I All-America Teams were announced last week and a staggering 26 of 38 players named to the squads played in the PDL, including eight on the First Team. Ten PDL players were named to the Division II All-America Teams while nine made the Division III list.
Fifteen W-League players were named to the 2005 NSCAA/adidas Women's Division I All-America Teams, six to the Division II squads and five to the Division III teams.
In the Division II championship game, Fort Lewis College defeated Franklin-Pierce 3-1 in the championship match to cap off an undefeated 22-0-1 season with five former PDL players. Former Denver Cougars defender/midfielder Ben Gantenbein registered the game winning goal at the 81:21 mark off an assist by Boulder Rapids Reserve forward John Cunliffe. A two-time captain, Ben Eisenbraun (Bakersfield Brigade-2005) earned Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Defender of the Year.
USL First Division Stories from December 21, 2005
- 17 USL alumni among 30-man US camp roster - USL-1
- USL Alumni Round-Up - USL-1
- Toronto Lady Lynx Announce 2006 Schedule - Toronto Lynx
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