Women’s Professional Soccer announces first team for All-Star Game

Women’s Professional Soccer on Tuesday announced the selection of the league’s First XI and the WPS All-Star Team Head Coach in preparation for its 2009 WPS All-Star Game. Each of the players selected are invited to the 2009 WPS All-Star Game. The players were selected based on votes by fans (25%), media (25%), coaches (25%) and players (25%).

Listed by position, club team and national team:

2009 WPS All-Stars – First XI
Karina LeBlanc     GK        Los Angeles Sol         Canada
Tina Ellertson           D       Saint Louis Athletica   United States
Amy LePeilbet         D        Boston Breakers        United States
Alex Scott              D        Boston Breakers         England
Camille Abily          M        Los Angeles Sol         France
Sonia Bompastor     M       Washington Freedom  France
Shannon Boxx        M        Los Angeles Sol          United States
Lori Chalupny        M        Saint Louis Athletica    United States
Kelly Smith            M       Boston Breakers          England
Eniola Aluko           F       Saint Louis Athletica     England
Marta                    F        Los Angeles Sol            Brazil

Not surprisingly, Los Angeles Sol’s Marta was the highest overall vote-getter, selected by 94% of all media ballots, along with all eligible coach’s ballots (teams can’t vote for their own players), second in the player vote and finished fourth overall in the fan vote.  Hope Solo, who didn’t make the final roster,  was the top pick by fans.

More than 25,000 ballots were cast online by fans and all players on WPS rosters voted, including their choice for the WPS All-Star Team Head Coach. The players selected Los Angeles Sol head coach, Abner Rogers to lead the 2009 WPS All-Stars.

With several players expected to be unavailable due to national team commitments at the 2009 European Championships, the First XI players who cannot play will be replaced by the next-highest vote-getters at that position announced later this week. A total of 18 WPS players will be part of the WPS All-Star Team with the WPS Commissioner and the All-Star Game Head Coach selecting the other seven WPS All-Star Team members.

The 2009 WPS All-Star Game features the WPS All-Stars against Swedish league champions Umeå IK at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, MO, on Sunday, August 30th with kick-off scheduled for 5:30pm ET/4:30pm CT.

The game will be televised live nationally on Fox Soccer Channel and regionally on select Fox Sports Net affiliates (check local listings) with coverage starting at 5:00 p.m. ET with a half-hour pre-game show prior to kick-off.

For information or to reserve tickets for the 2009 WPS All Star Game call 1-888-STL-GOAL or visit www.SaintLouisAthletica.com. Group and individual tickets are now on sale.