Utah Grad Amanda Feigt: Great European Adventure!

Former Utah great and Mountain West Conference MVP, Amanda Feigt, is off on a great European adventure! After 3 years as a strength and conditioning coach at North Dakota State University in Fargo, Amanda decided to get back into some serious soccer. So she landed in the Women's Bundesliga in Germany. The German 1st division is probably the most competitive in the world, after the WPS here in the U.S.

Amanda, pictured above right in Berlin with fellow American Kat Tarr from the University of Missouri, was signed by the Tennis Borussia Berlin club for the second half of the season. She just arrived there and is training with her new team as the winter break draws to a close.

Tennis is currently in 11th place in the 12-team league and must climb at least one spot to 10th by the end of the season in order to avoid relegation. Amanda was signed in order to bring some speed to the front line. Ute fans will remember that Amanda was also a standout on the Utah track team, winning the MWC heptathlon championship in 2006.

Check out more at the club's web site by clicking here (site is in German).

Exciting WPS Season Winding Down

Well, for the summer season, when things are supposed to be quiet and boring in the soccer world, there has certainly been a lot of excitement going on. Confederations Cup and Gold Cup...World Cup qualifying (USA vs. Mexico on Aug 12)....all kinds of transfer news (are Real Madrid and Manchester City buying every player on the planet?)...some great friendlies here in the U.S. (anyone see Beckham's free kick vs. Barcelona?)...and, of course we had the MLS all-star game here in Utah last week.

But, please don't forget, that the inaugural season of WPS is coming to a climax here. As we have said before, the quality of the soccer played this year has been fantastic. If you haven't been able to watch the games, please check them out...In fact, the league's web site (www.womensprosoccer.com has all kinds of highlights)

The league has seven teams and there is one week left in the season. The Los Angeles Sol has clinched 1st place and gets a spot in the final on August 22. The St. Louis Athletica has clinched 2nd place and gets a spot in the semi-final (Wed. August 19). And three teams are battling it out for 3rd and 4th...Washington, Boston and New Jersey.

So watch these highlights from yesterday's Chicago Red Stars vs. Los Angeles Sol game. You'll see a great combination goal ending with Carli Lloyd busting through from midfield to score. You'll see the one and only Marta making incredible runs to get behind the defense. And though she didn't score, her choices of when to shoot and with what part of her foot are fantastic. And you'll see two goals that come from someone heading the ball back across the box to a teammate. Great Stuff!

Watch the highights by clicking here!

Kobe Bryant....Soccer Fan?

This news comes courtesy of the Los Angeles Times...Kobe Bryant flew by helicopter yesterday after Lakers practice to the Home Depot Center to meet and visit with members of the Los Angeles Sol of the new WPS....

Specifically, he wanted to meet Brazilian superstar, Marta, of whom he is a great fan.

Kobe grew up in Italy as his father was playing professional basketball there. He is a big fan of Barcelona....and loves Marta' s creative style.

Check out the article in the L.A. Times.

WPS Season Drawing Nearer

The Womens Professional Soccer League (WPS) is getting ready for its inaugural season. Teams started preseason training camp last Sunday and the opening match is scheduled for Sunday, March 29 as the Los Angeles Sol (with World Player of the Year, Marta) will host Abbie Wambach and the Washington Freedom at the Home Depot Center in California. That game and others will be shown on Fox Soccer Channel.


Seven teams will participate this year: Los Angeles Sol, FC Gold Pride (Santa Clara, CA), Boston Breakers, Washington Freedom, St. Louis Atletica, Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue FC (New Jersey). Teams from Atlanta, Dallas and Philadelphia will join the league next year.

There is lots to talk about, but of course we are pretty shallow here, so we'll start with the uniform unveiling that was held in February in New York...the Puma uniforms look nice and all, but nothing out of the ordinary...However, we are not sure about what Puma is calling the "wrap"...somewhat of a skirt that can be worn during warm-ups supposedly. We'll see if that goes the way of the bell bottoms, alligator shirts and mullet hair cuts...


Click Here for a Brief Video of the Uniform "Fashion Show"

You can also find out more information at the WPS OFFICIAL WEB SITE

Big day for women's soccer: WPS allocation

You may not have known, but...today was a big day for women's soccer...the new Women's Professional Soccer league (WPS) held its allocation draft for the members of the gold medal winning U.S. National Team. The league will start up next summer with 7 teams:

Los Angeles
Bay Area (San Jose/San Francisco)
Chicago
St. Louis
Sky Blue (New Jersey)
Washington
Boston

They will add three teams in 2010: Atlanta, Dallas and Philadelphia

Want to know where such stars as Abby Wambach, Shannon Boxx, Kate Markgraff and Aly Wagner will be playing?...click here to the home page for the WPS!