America’s finest city announces the arrival of the SD United women’s soccer franchise into the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) for the Summer 2008 season. The front office will be headed by General Manager Mike Deeney, Director of Business Operations Carlos Gonzales and 2007 USL Head Coach of the Year, Elio Bello.
“We are very happy to be working with Mike Deeney, Elio Bello and the talented group of players on their team,” said WPSL Commissioner Jerry Zanelli. “The WPSL welcomes SD United and looks forward to the city’s continued growth in soccer at this level.”
“Our goal is to help create a positive culture change in the soccer community and give the power of the game back to the kids,” said Deeney. “The first step is providing a consistent program at the highest level, which inspires our youth.”
SD United will be working together with the San Diego Sea Lions franchise to promote the women’s game to reach the largest possible audience. With over 25 years of coaching experience, Bello believes now is the time for the highest level of soccer to be played in the area.
“The time has come for the top soccer leaders in San Diego to come together and expose their youth players to quality futbol,” said Bello. “This is very exciting for San Diego talent to stay local and compete for the city.”
The 2008 SD United roster will showcase the talents of Mexican Women’s National Team goalkeeper Sophia Perez, Katie Miyake, Rebekah Patrick and local stars – Amy Epsten, Leigh Ann Robinson, Taryn Francel and Ashli Sandovol. Perez has had her share of exposure at the highest levels of soccer, as she has been keeper for the MWNT since 2004 including competing against the likes of United States, Canada, Australia, Finland, Ireland, Panama, etc.
In her three years at San Diego State University, Sophia put together one of the most impressive seasons by a goalkeeper in school history as a senior in 2004. In 20 starts, she made 87 saves (fourth in the Mountain West Conference), while recording an 87.1 save percentage in 1,915+ minutes of action. Perez finished with a record 11 shutouts (MWC leader) and a 0.66 goals against average (second in MWC) – second best single season by an Aztec. She was also named First Team All-MWC and was named San Diego State University’s Most Valuable Defensive Player.
Miyake joins SD United after spending the last five years with the San Diego Sunwaves & Seattle Sounders, earning All-Western Conference honors in 2004. In college, she starred at Portland State University – first, on offense as she earned Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year, MVP, Offensive Player of Year and Female Athlete of the Year. In 2003, she moved to defense and was a unanimous selection to the Big Sky All-Defensive Team while leading Portland State to the Big Sky Championship in 2004.
Patrick is no stranger to the WPSL, as she played for the Las Vegas Tabagators for two seasons, earning All-WPSL honors. Rebekah played her college soccer at Cal-State Fullerton, Lassen Community College (NSCAA All-Region honoree & First Team All-American) & Portland, where she was a member of the 2002 NCAA National Champion Pilots squad. She appeared in 24 of the team’s 26 matches that season, scoring two goals and helping the Pilots to a 20-4-2 overall record.
All home games will be played at Valhalla Stadium this season as SD UNITED will return to their home field Torero Stadium at the University of San Diego in 2009 – due to facility renovations. SD United Soccer… UNITED WE PLAY. For more information, contact G.M. Mike Deeney at mdeeney@sandiegounited.net or visit their official website at www.sdunited.net.
The WPSL is a 48-team national women’s soccer league with five conferences and holds the distinction of being one of the top leagues in the world. The mission of the league is to provide the highest level of women’s soccer while simultaneously providing affordable, quality family entertainment and positive role models for our youth. For more information on the WPSL, visit the official website at http://www.wpsl.info.
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