(Sept. 2, 2008) – When asked to name a few players who stood out at this weekend’s WPSL Combine, an informal poll of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) coaches produced one common answer: Jen Nielsen.
Nielsen, nee Lalor, was one of over 60 players who participated in the WPSL Combine from Aug. 28-31 in Sacramento, Calif. Due to her lengthy resume, many of the WPS coaches were already familiar with her game prior to the refresher course she provided over the weekend.
(Patricia Giobetti)
Jen Nielsen spent three years playing in WUSA and hopes to resume her professional career when WPS launches in April 2009.
A three-time All-American at Santa Clara University in the mid-‘90s, Nielsen owns 23 caps and eight goals with the U.S. Women’s National Team and was a member of the 1995 Women’s World Cup squad. The 13th overall pick in the 2001 WUSA Draft, Nielsen spent two years patrolling the New York Power’s midfield before she was traded to the San Diego Spirit in the deal that brought Shannon Boxx to the Big Apple.
With WPS kicking off in April 2009, Nielsen, who turns 34 on Friday, is pining for another opportunity to play professionally.
“I still have the urge to play at a high level,” she said. “I feel I can still give to the game like I want to give to the game. I’ll quit playing when I feel like the game has overtaken me and I’m not enjoying it as much, but I still feel that I have it and I want to try.”
So Nielsen took a weekend off from JB Soccer Training, the soccer school she runs with her husband, Bo, and left their two kids – Elisa (3) and Alec (1) – with dad to keep chasing her dream at the WPSL Combine.
“All in all, I think the weekend went very well actually,” said Nielsen, who plays for the WPSL’s San Diego WFC SeaLions. “You’re competing and you’re assessing what the other competition is like. I’ve definitely enjoyed it and it’s been a very positive experience.”
Eight years ago, Nielsen went through this same process at the 2000 WUSA Combine. When she compares her experience trying out for WUSA with auditioning for WPS, Nielsen says the biggest difference is her maturity.
“For me, I’m more excited as opposed to being nervous,” she said. “Then it was more dueling and head games. Now I can play for fun because I’m doing it because I want to do it as opposed to it being the next part of my life. It’s truly because I want to do it.”
That attitude allowed Nielsen to be on top of her game throughout the showcase. Her strengths were on display as she masterminded her team’s attack, a responsibility she hopes to be performing for a WPS side come spring.
“I’m definitely a playmaker, I’m able to see runs, able to get people in with accurate passes and able to kind of dictate the tempo of the game,” she said. “Also things that come with experience – knowing when to go forward and when to go quick or knowing when to settle – I can read the game.”
WPS coaches took note.
Karyn Lush is a regular contributor to womensprosoccer.com and can be reached at karyn.lush@womensprosoccer.com. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of Women’s Professional Soccer or womensprosoccer.com.
