Sports Then and Now

Flash also sign US National Team Midfielder Yael Averbuch

The Western New York Flash added another new part in Swedish star Caroline Seger.

The Western New York Flash of Women’s Professional Soccer have announced they have acquired Caroline Seger from Philadelphia in exchange for WNY’s first pick in the second round in the 2011 WPS Draft and first pick in the second round in the 2012 WPS Draft. In addition, the Flash also agreed to terms with US National Team midfielder Yael Averbuch. These acquisitions are strong additions to the Flash midfield as the expansion side continue to build their squad for the 2011 season.

Seger, the Swedish National Team Captain, comes to WNY with vast professional and international experience. Seger is recognized as one of the top female players in the world, evidenced by her recent nomination for the 2010 FIFA Womens World Player of the year. The winner will be announced in January 2011. Seger has been a member of the Swedish National Team since 2005, and boasts over 45 caps for her country. Seger has competed at the 2007 FIFA World Cup and 2008 Olympic Games. At the club level, Seger was an integral member of the Philadelphia Independence in their inaugural year where they reached the WPS Championship game, eventually falling to Champions FC Gold Pride. Seger appeared 18 times for the expansion side in their tremendous run to the Championship match, logging over 1500 minutes and 1 goal and 5 assists. Before being drafted in the 1st overall pick in the International draft, Seger was captain and crucial member of Linkopings FC in the Swedish Damallsvenskan. During her tenure with Linkopings, Seger was named Damallsvenskan Rookie of the Year in 2005 and Midfielder of the Year in 2006 along with three Swedish league titles.

“Caroline is a player that we have had our eye on and are thrilled to bring her to WNY. She is a talented midfielder with good physical and technical abilities as well as excellent vision. I will look to Caroline for leadership in our inaugural year in the league with her experience and character,” Head Coach Aaran Lines says.

Averbuch, a 24 year old midfielder from New Jersey, spent the last two years playing for Sky Blue FC helping them capture the WPS Championship in 2009. In her two years with the squad, Averbuch has started in 33 of 41 matches she has appeared in while logging almost 3,000 minutes in the WPS. Averbuch is currently on the US National Team and has 13 caps and one goal for her country. Averbuch also has experience on the youth national teams, playing on the US Women’s National Team at 2007 Four Nations Tournament in China . She earned MVP Honors as the US U-23 National Team captured the 2008 Nordic Cup, competed for the US at the FIFA U-19 WomensWorld Championship and played on the US U-17s in 2003 and U-16s in 2002. A two time NCAA National Championship winner with the University of North Carolina , Averbuch set a UNC school record for most consecutive starts (105). The Tar Heel alum was named to the NSCAA All-Americasecond team and earned NSCAA Scholar-Athlete of the Year and NCAA VIII Award honors in 2008 as well as earning NSCAA All-America first team status in 2006 and 2007.

“Yael is a solid, experienced contributor in the midfield. She is a consistent player with a good left foot and is a great addition to our midfield. It is going to be great for the fans and youth in the WNY area to see a US National Team player like Yael play in their hometown,” Lines says of Averbuch.

Note: All team transactions must be approved by WPS before becoming official