Washington, D.C. (November 18, 2009) – The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States, announced today that retired U.S. Women’s National Team star and Boston Breakers midfielder Angela Hucles has been selected as a 2009 Humanitarian of the Year award winner. Hucles joins Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad and Chicago Fire midfielder Logan Pause as recipients of the 2009 honor.

Hucles, a two-time Olympic Gold medalist from Virginia Beach, VA and stand-out player during the Inaugural Season of Women’s Professional Soccer, has been active in philanthropic efforts throughout the year. She serves as a spokesperson and active supporter for America SCORES New England, a non-profit which provides soccer and creative writing programs after-school for 650 Boston inner-city youth, and reaches hundreds more during summers. Speaking at annual events and providing skill sessions to the youth of SCORES, Angela has a “rock star” status within the organization and is truly valued as a friend.

Each Humanitarian of the Year is given the opportunity to select a youth program to receive a donation from the U.S. Soccer Foundation.  Hucles selected America SCORES New England and will donate 300 Kwik Goal soccer balls to SCORES’ Middle School poet-athletes as part of their "Voices" event on November 19th.

“Angela’s passion and commitment for providing children in vulnerable communities with opportunities to play soccer is truly inspirational,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “She’s achieved great success both on and off the field and serves as an example to others looking for ways to give back.”

Read more here: http://www.womensprosoccer.com/Home/news/general/091118-hucles-humanitarian.aspx

Free Kicks - November 11, 2009

- The Red Stars say they still intend to resign Cristiane and that the Brazilian forward would like to be back with the club.  Cristiane is an unrestricted free agent.

- Portland senior Michelle Enyeart had a sad ending to her college career when she was carried off the field with a knee injury during the Pilots’ West Coast Conference final win over San Diego.  Enyeart scored 13 goals and added 12 assists this season and could see her draft stock plummet due to the injury

- The Beat are hopeful of finalizing their stadium announcement in the upcoming weeks.

- The Independence have traded out of the first round to acquire Amy Rodriguez, Allison Falk, and Val Henderson.  But head coach Paul Riley said the team will not be parting with the 13th overall pick, now the club’s first.  “The convention is in Philadelphia so we better hold onto it,” he deadpanned.  (The 2010 WPS Draft takes place on January 15 at the NSCAA Convention in Philadelphia.)

- Hayes reports that Lindsay Tarpley and Megan Rapinoe, both of whom had knee surgery since the end of the season, are both on course to join the club for the opening of training camp next Spring.

- FC Gold Pride and the Chicago Red Stars are both hopeful of announcing international signings before Thanksgiving.

- There have been six instances of first round picks being traded including the no. 5 overall pick twice.  That pick was originally Boston’s, was traded to Philadelphia, and then to Los Angeles.

- A player with a familiar name expected to be drafted is forward Gina DiMartino of Boston College, the younger sister of FC Gold Pride midfielder Tina DiMartino.  Gina scored seven goals this season.  But she did not lead the team.  A third sister, freshman Victoria DiMartino, christened her college career with 14.

Abby Wambach led the team with eight goals – tying for the second-most goals in WPS – followed by speedy forward Lisa DeVanna, who finished the season with six. Their goal scoring was often complemented by exciting play from breakout star Sonia Bompastor or well-placed services from defender Cat Whitehill. Nine different players on the Freedom scored goals this season.

Five times this season the Freedom scored late in games to earn a win or salvage a last-minute tie – four of those coming on goals from different players and wildly entertaining plays.

After a lackluster start in the team’s first three games, the Washington Freedom’s inaugural season came alive in a 4-3 win over FC Gold Pride in their fourth match. After falling behind, 3-1, Washington battled back evening the score in stoppage time on a Wambach header – a carbon copy of her first goal earlier in the game. One week later, it was Bompastor’s header over outstretched Hope Solo in the dying minutes that salvaged a 3-3 tie against Saint Louis. 

Karina LeBlanc, goalkeeper, Los Angeles Sol

Inaugural Season Culminates August 30 with WPS All-Star Game

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (July 29, 2009) – Women’s Professional Soccer announced its 2009 WPS Playoffs and post-season schedule on Wednesday which will bring the inaugural season of WPS to a close August 30, 2009 at the WPS All-Star Game in St. Louis.

The seven-team league kicked off its inaugural season March 29, 2009 in front of almost 15,000 fans at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA, and – following a 20-week regular season featuring 70 games that ends August 9 – will conclude with a three-game WPS Playoffs and WPS All-Star Game. The WPS First Round and WPS Championship presented by MedImmune will be produced by Fox Soccer Channel and televised live on Fox Sports Net and affiliates (check local listings); the WPS Super Semifinal will be carried live exclusively on Fox Soccer Channel; and the WPS All-Star Game will be featured live on Fox Soccer Channel and covered on Fox Sports Net in select markets.

For more information and to view the playoff TV schedule visit the WPS website.