Solo added to WPS All-Star team
In one of those announcements you could see coming, Athletica goalie Hope Solo was one of seven players added to the WPS All-Star team. In addition, the five players who finished next in voting were added to the team to replace elected starters who will be at the European championships. And in making at-large selections, the league pretty much went with household names. Solo will join Lori Chalupny and Tina Ellertson on the squad and, in absentia, Eniola Aluko. The game is Aug. 30 at the Soccer Park
WPS All-Star Team Starters
Karina LeBlanc GK Los Angeles Sol Canada
Tina Ellertson D Saint Louis Athletica United States
Amy LePeilbet D Boston Breakers United States
Christie Rampone D Sky Blue FC United States*
Shannon Boxx M Los Angeles Sol United States
Lori Chalupny M Saint Louis Athletica United States
Formiga M FC Gold Pride Brazil*
Aya Miyama M Los Angeles Sol Japan*
Megan Rapinoe M Chicago Red Stars United States*
Cristiane F Chicago Red Stars Brazil*
Marta F Los Angeles Sol Brazil
*next highest vote-getter to replace First XI
In addition, WPS All-Star Team Head Coach Abner Rogers and WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci named an additional seven at-large players to the roster, including:
WPS All-Star Team At-Large Selections (Commissioner/All-Star Team Head Coach)
Brittany Klein M Chicago Red Stars United States
Kristine Lilly F Boston Breakers United States
Heather O’Reilly M Sky Blue FC United States
Christine Sinclair F FC Gold Pride Canada
Hope Solo GK Saint Louis Athletica United States
Abby Wambach F Washington Freedom United States
Cat Whitehill D Washington Freedom United States
Overall, it’s a pretty solid all-star team. Congratulations to the 4 Athletica players, Eniola Aluko, Tina Ellertson, Lori Chalupny, and Hope Solo. Too bad Eni won’t be able to play.
I was glad to see a player like Brittany Klein make the team. She doesn’t have the big name notoriety of some players, but she’s had a good season. I’m just wondering, with only four defenders on the team and all of them center backs (at least in WPS play), who is Abner Rogers going to play at outside back? Tina played there early in the year and Lori could drop back to her normal USWNT position I guess, but I would have thought that Stephanie Cox would have been a good (as well as deserving) addition to this team. That’s probably my biggest complaint.
Well…..I’ve got a personal opinion on a pretty decision for an outside back for Abner to have chosen, but to any of those who know me they know where my bias lies. I guess if we are chosing an honest all-star team I’m a lil confused why there are players from teams that have won a combined nine games (Chicago and Gold Pride as of this time) are even on the team.
a pretty good decision is what I meant….pardon my typo there.