Sports Then and Now

After a last place finish in their maiden season in the WPS, the FC Gold Pride has taken a giant step to add some punch to their much maligned offense by acquiring All-star mid-fielder Camille Abily from the Los Angeles Sol.

Abiliy, a proven goal scorer and play-maker, scored eight goals and added one assist last season for the Sol. She was the team’s second leading scorer, two goals fewer than her teammate Marta, who scored ten times. The FC Gold Pride scored a total of 17 goals as a team, while finishing with a record of 4-10-6. Read the rest of this entry →

Marta starred for the Los Angeles Sol in the first year of WPS play.

One year ago, Marta made history at the FIFA World Player Gala by publicly announcing her signing with the Los Angeles Sol of the new Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league which kicked off in March 2009.

One year later, the Brazilian arrived at the very same gala with her first season of WPS behind her and made history once again: this time by becoming the first player ever – male or female – to win the award for a record fourth-time as she was announced as the 2009 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year at a gala in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday evening.

“I want to thank God for everything that is happening to me in my life,” Marta said after winning the award. “I also want to thank my football colleagues in Los Angeles Sol, Santos and Brazil.” Read the rest of this entry →

Women's soccer superstar Kristine Lilly is actively involved in the Who Gives? Racing for a Cause fundraising campaign.

Ah, the holidays. A time to decorate the house, shop for gifts, bundle up and drink some hot chocolate. A time to sing carols, watch TV specials and spend some quality time with the family.

It’s also a time to bring tidings of comfort and joy.

The Who Gives? campaign by Athletes for Hope does just that. The charitable organization that assists athletes in contributing to the community started its campaign with an online debate that asks the question, “Do professional athletes have an obligation to give back to the community?” Athletes including Tony Hawk, Mia Hamm, Steve Nash and Heather Mitts have weighed in with their thoughts on are-athletes-obligated.org .

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FIFA announced its short list for the 2009 FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Award from its headquarters in Zurich on Friday with five of the 10 players in contention for the award having played in WPS during the Inaugural Season. Nominees who played in WPS, all of them selected as WPS All-Stars, include (country/2009 team):

Sonia Bompastor FRA/Washington Freedom – Led the league in assists (6) while tallying four goals and was selected as WPS Player of the Month for May. Her slashing, exciting play at defensive midfield helped the Freedom bounce back from a slow start to finish third in the 2009 WPS Regular Season.

Cristiane BRA/Chicago Red Stars – The only player in WPS to notch a hat trick this season, her incredible long-range strike against FC Gold Pride in early July was one of the goals of the year this season in WPS. Finished with seven goals, fourth-best in WPS. Read the rest of this entry →

Anglea Hucles of the Boston Breakers in game last season against St. Louis Athletica.

Angela  Hucles, a Boston Breakers veteran and 2008 Olympic hero, has announced her retirement from professional soccer.

Hucles will not travel with the U.S. National Team for its match against Germany on October 29 and she will not return for the second season of Women’s Professional Soccer after playing with the Breakers in 2009.

“I always wanted to involve myself in things I was passionate about and give 110 percent,” said Hucles. “I feel like I’ve come to a point where I no longer can give that much and I know that there are other players who are ready to step up to the plate in order to bring the World Cup trophy back to the U.S. and carry on the growth of professional women’s soccer in the United States as well.” Read the rest of this entry →