FENTON, Mo. (Aug. 30, 2009) – The WPS All-Stars downed Swedish national champion Umeå, 4-2, in the inaugural WPS All-Star Game presented by the U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday, Aug. 30 at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo. After falling behind 2-0 just 15 minutes into the game, the WPS All-Stars responded with four unanswered goals. Read the full match recap.
Players and Coach Selection
Women’s Professional Soccer announced the complete selections to its 18-player 2009 WPS All-Star Team on Friday, Aug. 7. Five players were automatic selections as the next-highest vote-getters to replace players from the First XI who are unavailable due to the 2009 European Championships including Alex Scott (D, Boston Breakers), Kelly Smith (M, Boston Breakers), Camille Abily (M, Los Angeles Sol), Eniola Aluko (F, Saint Louis Athletica) and Sonia Bompastor (M, Washington Freedom). The First XI noting the replacements:
WPS All-Star Team Starters
Name Position - Team Country
Karina LeBlanc GK - Los Angeles Sol Canada
Tina Ellertson D - Saint Louis Athletica United States
Amy LePeilbet D - Boston Breakers United States
Christie Rampone D - Sky Blue FC United States*
Kristine Lilly F- Boston Breakers United States+
Aya Miyama M - Los Angeles Sol Japan*
Shannon Boxx M - Los Angeles Sol United States
Lori Chalupny M - Saint Louis Athletica United States
Megan Rapinoe M - Chicago Red Stars United States*
Cristiane F - Chicago Red Stars Brazil*
Marta F - Los Angeles Sol Brazil
*next highest vote-getter to replace First XI
+Replaced FC Gold Pride's Formiga in the starting lineup (injury)
In addition, WPS All-Star Team Head Coach Abner Rogers and WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci named an additional seven at-large players to the roster, including:
WPS All-Star Team At-Large Selections (Commissioner/All-Star Team Head Coach)
Name Position - Team Country
Brittany Klein M - Chicago Red Stars United States
Tiffeny Milbrett, FC Gold Pride United States+
Heather O'Reilly M - Sky Blue FC United States
Christine Sinclair F - FC Gold Pride Canada
Hope Solo GK - Saint Louis Athletica United States
Abby Wambach F - Washington Freedom United States
Cat Whitehill D - Washington Freedom United States
+Replaced FC Gold Pride's Formiga (injury)
The First XI were selected by: Vote counting 25% fans, 25% media, 25% players, 25% coaches
Additional 7 players were selected by: At-Large Selections (WPS Commissioner and All-Star Head Coach)
Players elected to the Starting XI who are unavailable to compete in the All-Star Game will be replaced by the next highest vote-getter by position. In a unique twist for the first year of the WPS All-Star Game, the All-Star Team head coach was voted on collectively by the players. The Los Angeles Sol's Abner Rogers won the player vote and will coach the WPS All-Stars.
About Umeå IK
Umeå IK has been involved in Women’s Football on senior level since 1985 and since 1998 have they belonged to top Clubs in the Swedish top division, Damallsvenskan. In the last nine seasons the Club has won seven Championships and finished second twice. The Club has also won the UEFA Womens Cup twice and won silver three times. Umeå IK are reigning Swedish Champions and are at the time of this release top of the table with a little less than half of the season left to play. For more information, visit www.uik.se.