Eniee, Menee, Minee, Moe: 2010 WPS All-Star Roster Solidified

Abby Wambach and Marta are perhaps two of the most notable names in women’s soccer. Marta of course the brilliant Brazilian striker who has not only been honored four times as FIFA Woman’s player of the year, but is also the star forward for F.C. Gold Pride of Women’s Professional Soccer.

Wambach, a big, physical player with skill to match has been a mainstay on the United States Women’s National team for almost a decade. At the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Abby scored the game winning goal in overtime against Brazil to help the U.S. win the gold medal.

Wambach is now enjoying her second stint with the Washington Freedom; 2002-2003 in the Women’s United Soccer Association and currently with Women’s Pro Soccer.

Tonight, Marta and Wambach will captain their respective teams in the second annual WPS-All-Star Game in Atlanta’s KSU Soccer Stadium, home of the expansion Atlanta beat.

You see Abby and Marta were selected as captains by virtue of being the top two vote-getters in 2010 WPS All-Star voting. The all star coaches are Albertin Montoya of F.C. Gold Pride and Paul Riley of the Philadelphia Independence, who teams currently sit first and second in the league table here at the all star break.

Kudos and high fives to WPS for thinking outside the box on this one and going with an idea that I would love to see filter over to other Professional sports.

The teams for tonight’s all star game were picked one player at a time by Marta and Wambach, much like we used to do back in grade school when we would pick teams for kick ball or tag. Hey Rock, Paper, Scissors would have been pretty Rad too.

Each side had just 30 seconds to make their selections. So as top vote getter Abby XI and Coach Riley went first and picked Atlanta Beat goalkeeper Hope Solo. Marta and Montoya then followed with the selection of Sky Blue keeper Karen Bardsley. Unfortunately, Bardsley was injured in a training session yesterday and had to be replaced by FC Gold Pride goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart.

After the keepers, the coaches and captains when through defenders, midfielders and forwards sequentially.

In all there were 22 WPS All-Star Starters voted on by media, coaches, players and fans with the All-Star Reserves picked through coaches and commissioners selections.

If you are missing your daily dose of World Cup Soccer from South Africa and would like to see some of the World’s best women’s players then check out tonight’s all-star game on Fox Soccer Channel or check your local listings. At Least you won’t have to listen to that annoying buzz of all those Vuvuzelas, although by now you are probably entranced by the noise.

I am the game day PA announcer for the Philadelphia Independence so I get to see these ladies play on a regular basis and trust me when I tell you their skill set is just as good as the men.

2010 WPS All-Stars

Abby XI (green/home; Abby Wambach – Captain, Paul Riley – Head Coach)

Starters
#1 – Hope Solo, GK, Atlanta Beat
#3 – Amy LePeilbet, D, Boston Breakers
#6 – Lori Lindsey, M, Philadelphia Independence
#7 – Shannon Boxx, M, FC Gold Pride
#8 – Tina Ellertson, D, Atlanta Beat
#9 – Eniola Aluko, F, Atlanta Beat
#10 – Heather O’Reilly, M, Sky Blue FC
#11 – Lauren Cheney, F, Boston Breakers
#17 – Lori Chalupny, M, Atlanta Beat
#20 – Abby Wambach, F, Washington Freedom
#84 – Cat Whitehill, D, Washington Freedom

Reserves
#4 – Angie Kerr, M, Atlanta Beat
#14 – Karen Carney, M, Chicago Red Stars
#19 – Kelley O’Hara, F, FC Gold Pride
#21 – Laura Kalmari, M, Sky Blue FC
#66 – Tasha Kai, F, Sky Blue FC
#85 – Jillian Loyden, GK, Chicago Red Stars
Kate Markgraf, D, Chicago Red Stars (injured/not rostered)

Marta XI (white/away; Marta – Captain, Albertin Montoya – Head Coach)

Starters
#1 – Karen Bardsley, GK, Sky Blue FC
#3 – Allison Falk, D, Philadelphia Independence
#4 – Rachel Buehler, D, FC Gold Pride
#7 – Kelly Smith, M, Boston Breakers
#8 – Sonia Bompastor, M, Washington Freedom
#9 – Ramona Bachmann, F, Atlanta Beat
#10 – Marta, F, FC Gold Pride
#12 – Christine Sinclair, F, FC Gold Pride
#13 – Kristine Lilly, M, Boston Breakers
#14 – Brittany Taylor, D, Sky Blue FC
#24 – Aya Miyama, M, Atlanta Beat

Reserves
#5 – Christie Rampone, D, Sky Blue FC
#11 – Becky Sauerbrunn, D, Washington Freedom
#17 – Amy Rodriguez, F, Philadelphia Independence
#18 – Erin McLeod, GK, Washington Freedom
#22 – Alex Scott, D, Boston Breakers
#78 – Cristiane, F, Chicago Red Stars
Caroline Seger, M, Philadelphia Independence (injured/not rostered)

Hey Dad What Are You Doing This Weekend? Well Son, It Just So Happens......

Most of you probably won’t not care about this story while some of you will be able to relate, but this weekend signifies a bit of irony in my life.

You see for the past 20 years or so I have worked as Sports Anchor/Reporter here in Philadelphia and during that time became a father three times over. My children are now 15, 11 and 10 years old.

Given the work load that often accompanies the job of television journalist, I consider myself lucky to have been in the delivery room for all three births. However, there were also numerous occasions when I was away from home for long stretches at a time; Super Bowls, World Series, Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, two weeks at the United States Tennis Open. I think you get my drift.

I can’t tell you how many little league, soccer and basketball games, I have missed, in addition to dance recitals and other family functions.

At the moment I am unfortunately unemployed and while I miss the Anchor Desk and the camaraderie that goes along with the job, being out of work has given me the chance to rediscover my family.

For instance last year I coached my youngest sons Pop Warner football team, two years ago I it was my son and daughters coed soccer team.

And I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed watching my older son go from sixth grade CYO tackle football to a strapping 6 foot 200 plus pound, two sport athlete in High School.

I think it’s true what they say about Dads living vicariously through our kids when we watch them participate in sports.

Now that I’ve painted a picture for you, let me tell you about my weekend, which actually started a little after seven o’clock this evening when we sat down to watch Phillies Ace Roy Halladay work another masterpiece as the Phil’s played a road game in their own stadium. You heard me correctly, this weekend the Phil’s will play the role of visiting team at Citizens Bank Park here in Philadelphia.

You see, this weekend’s Phillies-Blue Jays series was initially scheduled to be played in Toronto, Canada, however due to security concerns over the G20 Summit being held in Toronto, the Jays and Phil’s agreed to play the series in Philly.

Do you know how strange it is watching the Phil’s walk out of the visiting dugout, wearing their road gray unis at home, batting in the top instead of the bottom of the inning and oh yeah, Ryan Howard in the designated hitters role.

Anyway, game just ended with the Phillies winning 9-0, their fourth straight win in row as Halladay was on point against his former Toronto Teammates, going seven innings, allowing six hits but no runs, while striking out four. Halladay now 9-6 on the year.

To think, the weekend has only just begun. I probably should think about going to bed soon, must be up early to drive out to Valley Forge, PA to watch my oldest son and his PYLA lacrosse team take part in the Battle of Valley Forge Lax Tournament.

The games are nicely spaced; 10am, noon and 1pm. The ending of that third game should give me just enough time to find a local sports pub to watch the United States Men’s National Soccer team take on Ghana in the FIFA World Cup 2010, round of 16. Go U-S-A!!! By the way, I will not be taking my son to the pub with me, I am hoping at that time his lax team is progressing through the play-off rounds at Valley Forge.

Hey did anyone know the National Hockey League is currently holding their entry draft in Los Angeles as I write this. The Philadelphia Flyers don’t have a pick until the end of the third round but they did manage to trade the rights of defenseman Dan Hamhuis to Pittsburgh for conditional picks in next year’s NHL Draft.

Flyers actually just picked up the rights for Hamhuis earlier this week trading defenseman Ryan Parent, to Nashville. Unfortunately Hamhuis and his agent could not agree on financial terms of a new contract so, the Flyers have passed the puck.

Anyway I digress, back to that USA-Ghana game. I need Bob Bradley and the boys to score early play good defense, and let’s cut back on the diving, I need as little extra time as possible, even though it was in extra time against Algeria that Landon Donovan got the game winner to help propel the Americans into the knockout round.

I probably will not be able to watch the end of the game, because by 4:00pm I need to be in West Chester, PA to start prepping for my job as the Game Day Announcer for Women’s Pro Soccer (WPS) as the Philadelphia Independence (5-3-3) host the Washington Freedom (4-2-3) at West Chester University’s John A Farrell Stadium.

Hey a win for Philadelphia will give them a solid hold on second place in the standings, six points ahead of third place Washington and just one point behind table topper F.C Gold Pride.

Hold up, wait a minute BREAKING NEWS!!!!: Edwin Jackson of the Arizona Diamondbacks has just thrown the fourth no-hitter of the season, leading Arizona to a 1-0 victory over the Tampa Bay. Jackson by no means was perfect for the game, walking eight. It was the second no hitter in Diamondbacks history.

Anyway, as far as the expansion Philadelphia Independence are concerned, I’ll just go out on a limb now and say they will make the play-offs in just their first year in the league, good luck ladies.

Speaking of expansion, time to talk about how we wrap this weekend up. About 12 noon Sunday, yours truly, the wife and two sons, will head south on Interstate 476 towards Chester, PA. What’s in Chester you ask?

Why PPL (Pennsylvania Power & Light) Park, new home to the Expansion MLS (Major League Soccer) Philadelphia Union (2-7-1). Unlike their female counterparts, the men have struggling during their rookie season, but their fan base has not.

In two home games at Lincoln financial field, the Union drew and average of 25,000 fans which should translate nicely into the friendly 18,500 seat confines of PPL Park. Sunday marking the long, but much anticipated opening of the Unions new home as they host the Seattle Sounders.

Professional soccer is back in Philadelphia and expectations are it will be around for quite a long time.

So as you can see, this is a weekend crammed with non-stop sports, but instead of covering or reporting on it, I am getting the chance to actually enjoy the action and do so with my family.

Of course there is this thing called Monday that kind of brings everything back to reality. You know getting up early, giving the wife a kiss goodbye on her way to work, making breakfast for the kids getting them on the bus for their second to last day before summer vacation, then spending the rest of the day thinking about what to make for dinner.

Boy from sports anchor in the fourth largest media market in the country, too Mr. Mom in the Andrews household. Now tell me there’s no irony in that.

Philadelphia Independence Blasts Sky Blue 4-1

The Philadelphia Independence traveled to New Jersey last night for the first time this season, earning a decisive 4-1 victory over 2009 WPS Champion Sky Blue FC. The Independence posted its highest scoring game of the season with four goals and as a result improve their record to 5-3-2.


Danesha Adams was a driving force for the Independence offense, earning her first start of the season and posting a goal and assist in the first 18 minutes of the match. Less than five minutes into the match, Amy Rodriguez beat the defense on the right wing and sent the ball across the goal for a crashing Adams, who buried the ball past Sky Blue’s backup keeper Amanda Luckenbill. Adams’ first goal of the season gave the Independence the 1-0 lead, and just ten minutes later, Rodriguez and Adams connected again to put the Independence ahead by two.

In the 17th minute, Adams found space in midfield and split the defense with a through ball to Rodriguez. With a defender on her heels, A-rod took a quick touch and nailed a shot top corner over the onrushing keeper. Rodriguez posted a goal and an assist the first time the Independence faced Sky Blue FC and matched that offensive performance with another goal and assist last night .

Sky Blue FC bounced back from the two goal deficit quickly, and in the 27th minute, Natasha Kai was fouled in the box, earning a penalty kick against Independence keeper Karina LeBlanc. Rosanna stepped up to take the kick and put it away, closing the gap to make it a 2-1 game. Despite a couple of strong chances for both teams in the remainder of the half, the score remained 2-1 at halftime.

The Independence struck early in the second half, with another offensive press from Adams. A ball slipped through to Adams on the right side of the six yard box, and her blocked shot found a waiting Joanna Lohman to slot the ball home and make it 3-1. Adams is credited with the assist, earning two assists and a goal for the night.

Karina LeBlanc had an outstanding performance in net, and the Independence defense allowed Sky Blue minimal chances in the second half. The Independence put the game out of reach with a final goal in the 74th minute by newcomer Tina DiMartino. It was Tina’s second goal in as many games with the team.

The Independence returns home next weekend to face the Washington Freedom in their third battle of the season. The teams are 1-1 in their first two contests and will be battling for the top spots in the league. Kickoff is scheduled for 6pm on Saturday, June 26th. Visit www.independencetix.com to get tickets and see the Independence in action!!

Courtesy: Philadelphia Independence Communications

Manute Bol 1963-2010: NBA Gentle Giant and Humanitarian

Death is never easy to grasp, especially when it comes unexpectedly, much like today’s passing of former NBA center Manute Bol at the age of 47.

I had no idea Bol was even sick but apparently the seven-foot-seven gentle giant became gravely ill in May with kidney problems and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a rare skin disease contracted while visiting his home country of Sudan.

According to the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, the official cause of death was kidney failure

My personal connection with Manute dates back to the winter of 1985. At the time I was the weekend sports anchor/reporter for WMUR Television in Manchester, N.H. The University of Bridgeport men’s basketball team was in town to play the New Hampshire College Penmen, and guess who was the starting center for Bridgeport?

Until that night the tallest athlete I had interviewed was former Boston Celtic center Robert Parish who was seven feet tall. Manute at seven-feet-seven inches was just an unbelievable sight to see in person, especially standing next to the other 9 players on the court.

Needless to say the Dinka Dunker dominated the boards at both ends of the court that night and as expected; his English was not that great. Until arriving in America, Manute had spent his entire life in his tribal Dinka village in the Sudan.

Later that spring, Bol was selected in the second round of the NBA draft by the Washington Bullets (Wizards).

Bol was actually first drafted by the by the San Diego Clippers in the 5th round of the 1983 NBA Draft, but at the time the league ruled that Bol had not been eligible for the draft and declared the pick invalid.

In 1988 he was traded to Golden State then traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, 1990.

It was here in Philly where Manute and I crossed paths once again and not only had his English improved but he had developed quite a personality, which was greatly magnified when in the presence of his side kick Charles Barkley, whom Bol would affectionately call “Charlie”. Yes, Charlie and Manute used to make those Sixers practices at St. Josephs University quite entertaining.

Manute would tell the story about how he once killed a lion with a spear while watching over his family’s herd of cattle back in Africa.

We also learned that Manute’s mother was six feet eight inches tall, his father six-ten, sister six-eight and his grandfather seven-feet-ten inches. It was Bol’s grandfather who actually gave Manute his name which means, “Special Blessing”.

Well this Special Blessing, played 10 seasons in the NBA with Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami. During that 10 year span Bol averaged 2.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 3.3 blocks per game while only playing an average of 18.7 minutes per game. A true specialist, Bol finished his career with totals of 1,599 points, 2,647 rebounds, and 2,086 blocks, having appeared in 624 games.

After the end of his NBA career, Bol played 22 games for the Florida Beach Dogs of the Continental Basketball Association during the 1995-1996 season. In 1996, the Portland (Maine) Mountain Cats of the United States Basketball League announced that he would be playing with the team, and included him in the game program, but he never actually appeared in uniform. He then played professionally in Italy and Qatar before rheumatism forced him to retire permanently.

Following his Hoop career Manute worked closely with Sudan Sunrise, a humanitarian group based in Lenexa, Kan., that promotes reconciliation in Sudan unfortunately between funding Sudanese freedom fighters, children’s charities and a vice of casino gambling, Bol lost the several million dollars that he earned in the pros, but it never stopped him from trying to continue to raise money to help the refugees and children from his country.

As a matter of fact as a publicity stunt to raise money, Bol once signed to play hockey for a minor league team even though he couldn't skate. When he became a jockey at a horse racing track, also to raise money for charity, it was widely suspected that he just might have been the tallest professional jockey ever

Most people will remember Manute as the Freakish seven-foot-seven basketball player who swatted basketballs like a dad swatting flies while grilling in the back yard, but I will remember him for his big heart, infectious smile, and great personality.

Bol is survived by 10 children, including four with his second wife, Ajok, of Olathe, Kan., his nephew Mayom Majok Said.

2010 FIFA World Cup Players Get the Boot From Nike

I actually first noticed the shoes earlier this Summer while attending an MLS (Major League Soccer) match between the Philadelphia Union and D.C. United.

The grayish-purple boots with the bright orange Nike Swoosh, worn by Union striker Sebastien Le Toux. Being the football traditionalist that I am, I thought how awful the purple and orange blend looked against the back drop of the finely manicured green grass of Lincoln Financial Field.

Then as I watched Le Toux cap off the match with the first hat trick in Philadelphia Union team history, I smiled and said to the person next to me, it’s gotta be the shoes.

As it turns out I not only took the bait but let the folks at Nike reel me in like a big mouth Bass. The hard to miss boots are part of an aggressive campaign being used by the marketing masterminds at Nike to help cut into the international football merchandise market dominated by Adidas and Puma.

Historically, Nike has been a strong soccer brand in the United States, but has struggled to gain much of a market share internationally. Nike by the way a huge sponsor of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT)

It is no mistake that almost every other pair of boots being worn at the World Cup are a variation of this boot; Nikes Total90 Elite or the Mercurial Vapor Superfly II Elite.

As a matter of fact, Nike released their Elite series as a lead up to this year’s World Cup and as you continue to watch the group and knockout stages, you’ll notice some of the top players on the planet are wearing the shoe with the grayish-purple forefoot and bright orange heel and underside.

Coincidentally, both goals scored during the World Cup opening match between Mexico and South Africa was scored by players wearing the shoes.

Other notable players who have tossed the boots into their kit bag are, England’s Wayne Rooney, Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Clint Dempsey of the United States, Alex and Robinho of Brazil and Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro just to name a few.

South Africa might just be the springboard Nike needs to open some space in the international soccer market.

By the way, if you’re thinking about purchasing the boots to put in your bag to impress your buddies at the weekend pickup game in the park. The Nike Total90 Elites will cost you about $324.00 American dollars while the Mercurial Vapor Superfly II Elites sell for around $399.00

Gee, I wonder how much a couple of cans of bright orange and purplish gray paint would cost.

Women's Professional Soccer Partners With Cable TV Giant

Women's Pro Soccer (WPS) bolsters league television schedule for the remainder of Summer 2010..............

Comcast Sports Group’s regional sports networks are each airing up to 27 games of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) this summer live and on tape delay. 

The Comcast Sports Group networks which are providing WPS coverage serve the home market for all seven of the league’s teams, including: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (FC Gold Pride), Comcast SportsNet Chicago (Chicago Red Stars), Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic (Washington Freedom), Comcast SportsNet New England (Boston Breakers), Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia/The Comcast Network (Philadelphia Independence and Sky Blue FC), and CSS (Atlanta Beat).

“We are continuing and expanding our relationship with Women’s Professional Soccer, now in its second season, because these games provide exciting content to our audiences throughout the summer, particularly for young women,” said Comcast Sports Group Senior Vice President of Sports Content Mike Sheehey.

This regional coverage across the Comcast Sports Group networks provides fantastic exposure to all sports fans of the world class product that is Women’s Professional Soccer,” said Rob Penner, Director of Communications & Broadcast Relations, WPS.

The lineup on each network includes games produced by Comcast Sports Group outlets and an exclusive in-market syndicated package that includes the WPS All-Star Game presented by U.S. Coast Guard Reserve on June 30, as well as WPS Playoff and WPS Championship coverage from September 19-26 produced by Fox Soccer Channel. The individual schedule of games will vary by network and viewers should check their local Comcast Sports Group network listing for complete information.

Regional television coverage of WPS games this summer can be found at: http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/schedule/2010-tv-schedule.
About Comcast Sports Group:

Comcast Sports Group operates 11 sports networks that deliver 2,400 sporting events annually and sports news and analysis to more than 50 million cable and satellite homes. Comcast Sports Group’s networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, SNY, The Mtn. – Mountain West Sports Network, CSS, and Comcast Sports Southwest. Comcast Sports Group also manages New England Cable News (NECN), the nation’s largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming. For more information, see ComcastSportsNet.com.

About Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS):

Headquartered in San Francisco, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) is the world’s premier soccer league for women with seven teams across the United States featuring the best players from around the world. WPS completed its inaugural season in August 2009 as Sky Blue FC of New Jersey became the first-ever WPS Champions. In 2010, seven teams will each play 24-game schedules from April 10-September 12 including five original WPS teams – Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Gold Pride (Bay Area), Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY) and Washington Freedom – and two expansion teams Atlanta Beat and Philadelphia Independence. The top four finishers in the regular season will qualify for the 2010 WPS Playoffs scheduled for September 19-26. For more information, visit the WPS official website at www.womensprosoccer.com or follow all the news at www.twitter.com/womensprosoccer.