Marta named World Player of Year

Brazil’s Marta captured soccer’s World Player of the Year award for the fourth year in a row. The 23-year-old playmaker beat teammate Cristiane, Kelly Smith of England, and Germans Birgit Prinz and Inka Grings.

“I’m really surprised,” Marta said of winning the award again. Tearful but happy she described the accolade as “a landmark in my career and in my life”.

She was honored at the FIFA World Player Gala, during which former and current soccer stars and celebrities made appearances and Italian pop star Laura Pausini performed.

When asked how it felt to hear her name called once again, the 23-year-old replied, “It’s incredible. You can never prepare what you’re going to say and I just came out with the first words that came into my head.”

The prestigious FIFA award is voted for by the coaches and captains of each national side. With this year’s win, Marta becomes the record winner of the honor awarded by football’s world ruling body.

The dynamic striker, widely regarded as the best female to play the game, was a favorite last season in the revamped U.S Women’s Professional Soccer League, where she won the Golden Boot and was elected league MVP with the Los Angeles Sol.

American Mia Hamm won the inaugural women’s award in 2001, winning again in 2002.

Germany’s Birgit Prinz then picked up the award three years in a row from 2003-2005.

The men’s award when to Lionel Messi who added FIFA’s World Player of the Year award to his growing list of accolades, completing a nearly perfect campaign in which his club won an unprecedented trio of Spanish and European titles.

Charlize Theron leading lady in World Cup draw

South African actress Charlize Theron has landed a leading  role in Friday’s draw for next year’s soccer World Cup finals in her home country, the international soccer body FIFA announced .

Theron, a Hollywood icon, will be joint host of the 90-minute show to be televised live to an estimated global audience of more than two hundred million people in 200 countries.

She is well-known as a celeb who gives back and has been involved in efforts to give kids living in underserved communities more opportunities to play competitive soccer.

Theron will join FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke to host the procedure of placing the 32 national finalists into eight groups of four teams for the 2010 tournament which runs from June 11 to July 11.

A host of sporting celebrities will also take part in the draw including Ethiopia’s Olympic champion runner Haile Gebrselassie, South African soccer player Matthew Booth and cricketer Makhaya Ntini and the host country’s rugby World Cup captain John Smit. Also attending will be David Beckham, who scored in three consecutive World Cups and still hopes to make it on the England squad by June.

South African president Jacob Zuma will be in the audience along with Nobel Peace prize winners Frederik de Klerk and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Theron is definitely one of those actresses we love to watch and support in all her endeavors.

Wambach nominated for FIFA Award

Fresh off  her 101st career goal and a U.S. 1-0 win against Germany yesterday, it was announced that Women’s National Team and Washington Freedom forward Abby Wambach is the only American nominated for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year Award.

Freedom teammate and French National player Sonia Bompastor is also on the list of ten nominees.  There are 23 nominees on the Men’s side, with both lists reduced to five in early December.  The winners will be announced at the FIFA World Player Gala on December 21st.

WOMEN NOMINEES: Nadine Angerer (Germany), Sonia Bompastor (France), Cristiane (Brazil), Inka Grings (Germany), Mana Iwabuchi (Japan), Simone Laudehr (Germany), Marta (Brazil), Birgit Prinz (Germany), Kelly Smith (England) and Abby Wambach (USA).

Go Abby!

Party like it’s 1999

The year was 1999.  A team of inspired women and a tournament of historic proportions captured the hearts and minds of an entire nation.  I was just a young girl (well not that young) and one of 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl  watching the epic final and witnessing history.

The 1999 Women’s World Cup ran from June 19-July 10, 1999, in packed stadiums across the United States, raising the profile of women’s soccer globally, creating new heroes in the sport and setting the bar for future FIFA Women’s World Cup™ tournaments

Now, 10 years later, U.S. Soccer and Women’s Professional Soccer will honor the legacy of that tournament and the legends from the World Cup-winning U.S. Women’s National Team at WPS games throughout late June and early July.

Working with U.S. Soccer, all seven WPS franchises will feature a 10th Anniversary Tribute Day at one of their WPS home games coinciding with the anniversary of the tournament dates of the 1999 Women’s World Cup. Former U.S. Women’s National Team players will make appearances, sign autographs and be recognized for their accomplishments ten years ago.

Remembering ’99 Tribute Schedule

Date	Match	Stadium	TV Game	Tickets
Saturday, June 20	Saint Louis vs. Washington	AB Soccer Park		Tickets
Sunday, June 21	Los Angeles vs. FC Gold Pride	Home Depot Center	Fox Soccer Channel	Tickets
Saturday, July 4	Sky Blue FC vs. Boston	Yurcak Field		Tickets
Sunday, July 5	FC Gold Pride vs. Saint Louis	Buck Shaw Stadium		Tickets
Sunday, July 5	Washington vs. Los Angeles	Maryland SoccerPlex	Fox Soccer Channel	Tickets
Sunday, July 12	Boston vs. Sky Blue FC	Harvard Stadium	Fox Soccer Channel	Tickets
Sunday, July 12	Chicago vs. Bay Area	Toyota Park	Comcast	Tickets

Retired players from the 1999 World Cup team making appearances will include: Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett, Lorrie Fair, Tiffany Roberts, Tisha Venturini and Danielle Fotopolous among others. WPS currently has five 99ers playing in the league: Brandi Chastain (FC Gold Pride), Kristine Lilly (Boston Breakers), Tiffeny Milbrett(FC Gold Pride), Christie Rampone (Sky Blue FC) and Briana Scurry (Washington Freedom).

Beyond the on-site events, the WPS league website (www.womensprosoccer.com) and U.S. Soccer website (ussoccer.com), will feature a unique series called “Remembering ‘99”. Each day from June 19-July 10, a different WPS player or U.S. Soccer legend will provide their memory of the 1999 Women’s World Cup in their own words.

I plan on heading to the Home Depot Center this weekend to relive that moment and to watch the LA Sol honor soccer greats Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett, Tiffeny Milbrett and Brandi Chastain.

Should be quite a party!

U.S. Soccer Fan Club

The U.S. Soccer Supporters Club (is that kinda like a fan club?) just sent an email announcing that they’re launching the Official Fan Membership Program of U.S. Soccer (maybe that’s the fan club). Either way, looks like some cool stuff in store for fans of U.S. Soccer (both the men’s and women’s national teams).

From the release:

• Members Receive Exclusive Benefits, Including Priority Access to FIFA World Cup Tickets
• Become a Founding Fan by Joining U.S. Soccer Supporters Club During 2009

CHICAGO (April 15, 2009) — U.S. Soccer is pleased to announce the formation of the U.S. Soccer Supporters Club, the official fan membership program of the U.S. national teams. Officially launched today, fans can sign up at ussoccer.com to join the U.S. Soccer Supporters Club, which will provide exclusive benefits to members while creating a unique platform for the most passionate fans to demonstrate their support.

U.S. Soccer SC members will receive numerous benefits, highlighted by priority status to secure tickets to the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany. U.S. Soccer will distribute its ticket allotment from FIFA to those dedicated members of USSSC before holding a general lottery, providing members the best chance to see the U.S. play in biggest sporting event in the world.

Upon enrollment into U.S. Soccer SC this year, members will also receive a U.S. Soccer SC membership card complete with name and a unique ID number, access to exclusive pre-sales for select home U.S. National Team matches, chances to win special behind-the-scenes experiences, a National Team Yearbook, and a limited-edition scarf.

Those fans that join in 2009 will have the opportunity to provide a unique voice to U.S. Soccer SC, serving as Founding Fans in the institution. Founding Fans will be the dominant voice of U.S. Soccer supporters around the world, defining what it means to be a part of U.S. Soccer SC.

Since the dawn of U.S. Soccer’s modern era in 1989, U.S. fans have diligently followed the national teams to five consecutive FIFA World Cups and five consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cups, including two championships. U.S. fans have proven their devotion time and time again, through miles traveled and hours logged roaming around the country with the hope of inspiring a U.S. national team to victory. Popping up all around the globe, from China to Cuba, South Africa to Portugal, U.S. fans have proven their dedication to the teams’ quest for greatness.

Whether fans are looking to attend games with their families or are hardened supporters with numerous caps under their belts, the U.S. Soccer Supporters Club is the definitive way to unite together as fans and be an integral part of the future of U.S. Soccer.

U.S. Soccer SC, the first-ever affiliated membership program, is another step in a larger and more comprehensive outreach initiative to enhance U.S. Soccer fans’ experience. In addition to relationships with local and national unofficial supporters groups, fan outreach initiatives include an annual fan survey, the Official U.S. Soccer Bar program, the Ultimate Fan Ticket package, as well as social networking outlets on facebook.com and Twitter. With fans scattered across the country and internationally, U.S. Soccer will continue to develop programs which will maintain a close relationship to the national teams, as well as fellow U.S. Soccer fans.

All of the benefits below are available for an annual membership fee of $49.95. Enrollment begins today (April 15).

FOUNDING FAN OFFER: Fans joining in 2009 will earn special recognition as Founding Fans with the opportunity to help build U.S. Soccer SC from the ground up, providing a collective voice of U.S. Soccer supporters around the world. These members will receive a special-edition scarf, the annual gift for 2009, so they can proudly display their status as U.S. Soccer SC Founding Fans. Founding Fans will have the opportunity to further influence the ethos of U.S. Soccer SC by helping draft a Fan Constitution.

FIFA WORLD CUP TICKETS: U.S. Soccer SC members will have priority status to purchase 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup tickets through U.S. Soccer, with access ahead of the general public.

OTHER BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• U.S. Soccer Supporters Club Membership Card
• Access to exclusive ticket pre-sales for select home U.S. Soccer National Team matches
• A chance to win behind-the-scenes experiences
• Annual Gift
• Men’s or Women’s National Team Yearbook
• Exclusive members-only discount at ussoccerstore.com
• E-mail communications from ussoccer.com

For more information, fans can review our Frequently Asked Questions and Terms and Conditions or visit ussoccer.com.

Marta named FIFA Player of the Year

January 12, 2009 - A star-studded gala in Zurich featured allowed the world’s top soccer players to dress up in their finest. The highlight of the spectacular evening came with the announcement of the winners of the FIFA World Player and FIFA Women’s World Player 2008 .

Drumroll please…Brazil’s Marta Viera de Silva took the FIFA Player of the Year award for the third consecutive time.  At just 22-years-old, it is an amazing accomplishment.

Marta, who led Brazil to a silver medal in Beijing, received 1,002 points to beat Germany’s Birgit Prinz (328) and Brazil teammate Cristiane (275). The other finalists were Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer and England striker Kelly Smith.

Now Marta takes on other challenge, as the newest player in Women’s Profressional Soccer. As expected, Marta officially announced she will sign a three-year contract to play for the WPS’s Los Angeles team. Since 2004, the native of the Brazilian state of Alagoas, has been playing for fabled Swedish women’s club side Umea IK.

“I am extremely excited to be joining the Los Angeles Sol,” Marta said. “Knowing that WPS is going to be the most competitive league in the world made my decision easy. I am going to Los Angeles to win as many titles as possible and achieve all the remaining goals in my professional life.”

Marta has yet to visit Los Angeles or meet David Beckham – hope she likes it here. Her Brazilian teammate Cristiane confirmed at the gala that she’ll play for the Chicago Red Stars. No word on whether she’s ever been to the Windy City.

In other FIFA news, Cristiano Ronaldo won the Male Player of the Year. FIFA also gave a special award to the Palestine Football Association for opening the Al-Husseini Stadium and staging the first international game on the West Bank.

The Presidential Award went to women’s soccer, with a special dedication to the U.S. team that won the Olympic gold medal.

“For so many years women played and no one noticed,” said U.S. player Heather O’Reilly, who accepted the award. “That has changed today. The women’s game is improving day by day.”

Congrats to all.

Soccer: 2008 FIFA Player of the Year

October 30, 2008 – A 10-name shortlist for the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award has been published, including Arsenal’s Kelly Smith and Brazil’s Marta, who is aiming to win the award for the third year running.

Other female nominees include Canadian Christine Sinclair, Birgit Prinz of Germany and Americans Hope Solo and Shannon Boxx.

On the men’s side 23 players are in the running for the accolade including front-runner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Three finalists for each award will be named in December, before the winners are announced at a gala event Jan. 12 at the Zurich Opera House. Voting is done by head coaches and captains of men’s and women’s national teams.

Full Women’s List: Nadine Angerer (Germany), Shannon Boxx (United States), Cristiane (Brazil), Daniela (Brazil), Marta (Brazil), Birgit Prinz (Germany), Christine Sinclair (Burnaby, B.C.), Kelly Smith (England), Hope Solo (U.S.), Ingvild Stensland (Norway).

London calling: Lorrie Fair joins Chelsea Ladies

LONDON Feb. 7, 2008 – One of the leading female soccer players in the world has joined Chelsea Ladies.

Former United States international Lorrie Fair, the youngest member of the U.S. World Cup-winning team in 1999, arrived in London at the end of January to start her Chelsea career.

The 29-year-old from Northern California made 123 appearances for the U.S. during a star-studded career as a versatile midfielder or defender, the high point being victory over China in the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup Final. Most recently, Fair continued her soccer career playing on a U.S. semi-professional men’s team.

Fair, who will become Chelsea’s first U.S. recruit, said: “I had the opportunity to come to England and play for Chelsea, which was too good to turn down. It is an honor to play for such a great club.

When not on team duty, she will be helping Chelsea’s Football in the Community program particularly encouraging more girls and women to take up the game to improve health, fitness and to tackle childhood obesity.

Chelsea Ladies manager Shaun Gore said: “Lorrie is a great player and an icon in the U.S. No doubt she will generate a huge amount of exposure for the women’s game in this country. Someone of her stature can become a role model for many young aspiring female players in the UK and to help more women and girls participate in sport generally.”

After her first two weeks playing for Chelsea Ladies, hear from Lorrie in an exclusive web chat on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 1:00 pm EST/10:00 am PST at http://www.chelseafc.com. Lorrie will share her international adventures, what she’s doing on and off the field, and what she hopes to accomplish as the first American to play in the Women’s Premier League.

U.S. women’s national soccer team opens ‘08 against Canada

Dec. 31, 2007  - The United States women’s national team opens its 2008 schedule on Jan. 16 against Canada at the Four Nations Tournament in China. The United States, ranked second in the world, also plays Finland on Jan. 18 and China on Jan. 20 in the four-team competition in Foshan, China.

Pia Sundhage will make her coaching debut for the U.S. in the match against Canada.

The United States will be making its ninth trip to China since 1998 and the tournament serves as continuing preparation for the 2008 Olympics, which are in China. The U.S.  has played in the Four Nations seven times, winning six of those tournaments.

Sundhage has called 16 members of the United States’ 2007 World Cup team for a training camp in early January, including recent U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year winner Abby Wambach.

Defenders Kate Markgraf and Heather Mitts, and midfielder Aly Wagner will not train with the team due to injuries. Veteran Kristine Lilly has not decided if she will pursue a spot on the Olympic roster.

Sundhage also invited 11 more players to the training camp, but only 20 will make the roster for the Four Nations Tournament. Among those invited was 2007 U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year Lauren Cheney.

The United States starts qualifying for the Olympics on April 2-13 in Mexico.

Germany edges USA for top spot in women’s soccer rankings

ZURICH, Dec. 21, 2007 – World champions Germany finished on top of the FIFA Women’s World Ranking for the fifth consecutive year, holding off the United States on the strength of its World Cup title.

The United States finished just 15 points behind the Germans, with Sweden ending up in third and World Cup finalists Brazil a close fourth.

 Read full story at FIFA.com

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