Bay Area Names Brazilian great Sissi as Assistant Coach
Former FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner, Sissi has been named as an assistance coach for the Bay Area franchise in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). The two-time Olympian and three-time World Cup player for Brazil was considered one of the world’s top footballers in her playing days and helped lead the San Jose CyberRays to the first league title in WUSA in 2001. She moved on to coaching in 2004 and since then has lead junior teams to regional titles in Idaho, as well as coaching Las Positas Community College to its first playoff berth in 2006. She joins Albertin Montoya, the Head Coach, on the Bay Area’s coaching staff.
Here are more details on the new coach:
Sisleide Lima Do Amor
Sisleide Lima Do Amor, most commonly known as Sissi, brings years of playing and coaching experience to the Bay Area team. She began playing soccer at the age of seven and at the age of 14 she left her home in the small town of Esplanada to play professionally in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Brazil National team contacted her when she was 16 and her impressive accomplishments as a player include:
- Participation in two Olympics
- Participation in three World Cups
- Receiving the Silver Ball from FIFA for achieving the title of “Second Best Player in the World” ( 1999)
- Receiving the Golden Boot from FIFA for being the leading scorer in the 1999 World Cup
- “Best Female South American Player” recognition
- An international draft pick by the San Jose CyberRays, WUSA
- Lead the CyberRays to the Inaugural Championship in 2001
- Selected to the First Team WUSA each three years playing on the CyberRays
- Humanitarian of the Year for the WUSA, 2002
- Named FIFA Ambassador, 2005
- Selected to the Organizing Committee for U- 20 and U- 17 Women’s World Cup by FIFA
- MVP for the WPSL in 2004, 2008 ( Pacific Division)
Coaching Career
While coaching in Brazil, Sissi was named the “Best Futsal Coach” leading her team to successive State and National Championships. In America, Sissi began coaching for Diablo Futbol Club (formerly known as Diablo Valley Soccer Club) in 2004 leading her U-16 girls to a Regional title in Idaho. In 2005, she began coaching for Las Positas Community College in Livermore, California and led the team to a first playoff berth in 2006.
Personal
Off the field, Sissi is devoted to improving the lives of children in Foster Care, with her and her family having fostered seven children. Sissi adopted a son in 2008, and is working towards adopting a little girl. Improving the lives of children in Foster Care and playing soccer have helped her fulfill her dreams. She is excited to help lead the Bay Area team into a remarkable season and make this league and its players a success.
