Sinead Farelly, WPS Rookie Season Wrap-up

Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images

Sinead Farrelly is a former UVA standout and was selected No. 2 in the 2011 WPS Draft by her hometown Philadelphia Independence.

VASoccerNews did a Q&A with Sinead earlier this year when she was in camp with the U.S. Women's National team in Florida. Sinead was also kind enough to do her first guest post for VASoccerNews while preparing for her rookie season with the Independence.

Having had a succesfull season, the Independence and Farrelly made it to the WPS Championship game where the winner was decided in a penalty kick shoot out. Unfortunately the Independence did not win but Farrelly is already looking ahead to the 2012 WPS season and provided our readers with her thoughts (below) as she looked back at her amazing rookie season.

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Sinead Farrelly
Philadelphia Independence

I had an incredible first season in the WPS. I couldn’t have been thrown into a better situation than the one I had. I got to live at home, be around my family and friends, and play at my old stomping ground at USTC in Downingtown.

The coaching staff was amazing, the girls on the team became my best friends, and the club as a whole made it to the WPS Championship Game. Winning the title would have made it that much better, but at the end of the day, I was so lucky to be a part of the Philadelphia Independence this season.

I feel like at the beginning of the season we were just coming into our own and it took us a little bit to gain that momentum we needed, but once we sparked, no one could stop us. Once we started our winning streak, every single game was a highlight and a challenge. Everyone in the league wanted to beat us, and every week we have to overcome them.

It’s hard to pinpoint even a couple of times where I can look back and say “that was the highlight of my season” because every practice and every game was such a joy. I was always in good company and I feel that Paul and the rest of the coaching staff made practice fun and competitive. I can honestly say I never met a whole group of girls that I enjoyed as much as this last Philadelphia Independence team. Once we got to know each other on and off the field, we came together so well as a team that I felt like no one could stop us. And the best thing about soccer is that it is such a team sport and that’s why I think we were so successful. We were all there for the right reasons and all so focused on the things we needed to get done to be the best. We put in all the right steps to prepare for every game and that gave us the confidence to just relax and play well when it came time for games.

I feel very privileged to have experienced such a wonderful first season as a professional because I’m sure a lot of people have a hard time adapting or fitting into a team’s style and a coaches values. But I can honestly say that Philly was the perfect fit for me and I can’t wait for next season. I can also say that you can be sure we will be coming for that trophy again next year!

A Conversation with Philadelphia Independence midfielder Sinead Farrelly | Our Game Magazine

University of Virginia alumni and 2011 WPS No. 2 overall draft pick Sinead Farrelly recently did the following interview, Courtesy of Our Game Magazine.


By David Bayer

Did you miss us? A minor thing called the "World Cup" interrupted our interview process. But we’re back, and we had a great time watching the games. We had a special treat this time … an interview with not only a player with our old hometown team, but an actual Philadelphia native!


Emma with Sinead Farrelly

 Sinead Farrelly – Midfielder – Philadelphia Independence
Birth date: November 16, 1989

Hometown: Havertown, PA

Nicknames: “Shin”, “Nade”, “Shinbad”. “Shay” is the newest one from her teammates.

Age she started soccer: 5

College: University of Virginia. She will be finishing electives in the fall towards a degree in sociology.

Why she wears number 14: It was the only number left. She originally wanted #17 – her college number.

Favorite pregame foods: Usually something high in carbs (chicken & pasta), but she loves sandwiches (chicken breast, spinach, tomato and onion…toasted)

Workout music: Anything upbeat (Black Eyed Peas, Nicki Minaj)

Superstitions: She doesn’t have any, but her trainer insists on always taping her right ankle first.

Favorite Cartoon Character: Not a fan of cartoons, but she does like reality TV. Keeping up with the Kardashians is a favorite. “When I don’t want to do anything, and I don’t want to think, I like to just sit down and watch something that will make me laugh.”

Favorite Movie: “Notting Hill” with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. She likes romantic comedies.

Favorite Actress: She has a “girl crush” on Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl)

Mentor: Her family has always supported her soccer playing. She’s had some great coaches, including Steve Swanson at the University of Virginia.

Favorite Charity: She and her family have done walks for breast cancer.

Favorite Players from the 1999 U.S. World Cup team: Shannon MacMillan & Michelle Akers

Surprising Fact About Sinead: Her family recently had a house built in Ireland, and she’ll be heading over there after the Fall. She lived in Ireland for three years.
Our thanks to Sinead for talking to us. You’ve heard about the typical Philly fan, right? Rude, crazy and obnoxious? (I can say that because I was one of them). Sinead was nothing like that at all.

Former UVa stars: Farrelly and Lenczyk faced off in WPS action Sunday in Atlanta

Sunday night on Fox Soccer Channel two of last years stars on the University of Virginia women's soccer squad where on the same field in Atlanta during the telivised Fox Soccer Channel WPS Sunday Night Game.

Sinead Farrelly MF (Drafted #2, 2011 WPS Draft) now playing for the Philadelphia Independence battled against Meghan Lenczyk F (Drafted #14, 2011 WPS Draft) now of the Atlanta Beat on T.V. and in front of a crowd listed at 6,125.

Both women started for their perspective teams with Lenczyk having more of an impact on the match drawing a penalty from Independence defender Kia McNeill while going towards goal. The penalty earned McNeill a red card and forced the Independence to play the rest of the match down a player.

Both former Virginia players where subbed at half-time and Philadelphia went on to overcome playing most of the match with only ten players by beating Atlanta 2-1.

Next up for Farrelly and the Independence: at Boston, May 22, 4 p.m.

Next up for Lenczyk and the Atlanta Beat: at Sky Blue FC, May 21, 7 p.m.

Guest Post - 2011 WPS Draft Pick, Sinnead Farrelly, Philidelphia Independence

Sinead Farrelly has been preparing for the upcoming 2011 WPS season with the Philidelphia Independence.

Farrelly was selected by the Philadelphia Independence as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2011 WPS Draft, is a member of the U-23 National Team, and played soccer for the University of Virginia.

By Sinead Farrelly

Preseason is almost over; it’s only been 5 weeks but its felt like about 5 months. Training has been really good- I’ve learned so much already in this past month or so.

The girls are so welcoming and it’s been so easy to mesh in with the team. Our schedule is pretty hectic between two-a-days and what not but we always make the best out of it.

Besides hanging out and training, we also got to go on a team tour to Philadelphia. We took a big bus, each seat accompanied with a philly soft pretzel and water. Our first stop was the famous Pat's cheesesteak for some lunch. The cheesesteaks were of course amazing, but I was full for like 8 hours afterwards. Then we headed to the art museum and took pictures of the Rocky statue as well as raced up the steps! We tried to take pictures of us jumping off the steps but the timing never ever worked out.

Next we stopped by LOVE Park before we headed to the channel 3 news building. They took us on a tour of the building and we got to go in the actual news room where they do all the reports and the weather. We got to stand in front of the green screen that most newscasters do when reading the weather and got to pretend to report the conditions for the next couple of days. We also got to meet the sportscaster and weather woman for channel 3 news, it was awesome and the people there were super nice.

For dinner we headed to a place in the Italian market for some chicken parmesan, lasagna, and spaghetti and meatballs. The food was delicious and the Italian market was really cool as well. It was nighttime so everything was closed, but it’s pretty much an outside market down an entire street where they roast food, sell items, and do fun activities. The owner of the restaurant invited us back during the second weekend of May which is the Italian market festival which will be really fun!

Other than that, we've been making our own fun in the locker room and our lounge and just getting to know each other better. Our first game of the season is this Sunday so everyone is really excited! We play Sky Blue in New Jersey and hoping to come out with a win to start the season off right.

Pretty much I’m loving life and getting to play soccer everyday and hang out with my family and friends so it’s been a dream come true.

Archive: 2/10/2011 - Q & A: Sinead Farrelly

Q & A: Sinead Farrelly, USWNT & Philadelphia Independence (WPS)

Recently VaSoccerNews had the opportunity to catch-up with the #2 pick in the 2011 WPS Draft, Sinead Farrelly (UVa.) while she was in camp with the U.S. Women's National team in Florida.

Farrelly took time out of her extremely busy schedule to answer some questions for us and for that we are very appreciative

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VaSoccerNews: You have been extremely busy since the end of your college season with UVa, what has been your most memorable experience during the last few months?

Sinead Farrelly: Honestly, after my season ended, it was nice to just relax and take a break from soccer. Its been the first time in a while where I could workout on my own schedule and have time for other things that I couldn't really fit in my schedule before. There hasn't been one particular moment, or a memorable one, but it has been wonderful to relax and take my time getting prepared for the upcoming WPS season and any other soccer camps I have coming up.

VaSoccerNews: With all the success you have had within soccer what goals still remain for you personally and professionally?

Farrelly: No matter how good you are, you can always always get better. There are still so many things about my game I would like to improve on -- (my weak foot, my shooting, my defending, etc) -- which are very specific goals that I can work on day to day. Overall, my long term goal is just want to be the best soccer player I have the potential to be. All I can do is always put in a 100% effort in my training and preparation for the season.

VaSoccerNews: Being drafted No. 2 overall in the 2011 WPS draft is quite an accomplishment, how important is it for young female soccer players to have the dream of playing soccer professionally and how important is it for the WPS to succeed as a league in this country?

Farrelly: The WPS league has opened up so many more opportunities for young girls who live and breathe soccer. In the past, college was pretty much the end of the road for the majority of women's soccer players. And now, the WPS has opened the doors for the futures of so many young athletes. The league itself has given girls the possibility of their dreams to continue their soccer careers. Its so important that young female soccer players continue to push themselves and continue to dream of playing professional soccer in this country. It is the upcoming generations that are going to be the key to keeping this league a success and to help gain support for women's soccer across the country.

VaSoccerNews: Does the prospect of being considered a role model to young girls excite you or overwhelm you?

Farrelly: In the position of women's soccer today, its so important that young girls have role models to look up to. I remember being younger and half of my love for soccer came from the older girls I looked up to. To want to be as good as Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly was all the motivation I needed to go out on my own and practicing juggling or shooting. So if any young girls want to consider me an important role model in their life, im all for it, and I encourage all young girls to find someone to give them the drive to want to be the best that they can be.

VaSoccerNews: When did you realize that becoming a professional soccer player was a realistic goal for you and why?

Farrelly: I probably realized it my junior year in college. A lot of my friends on the team that were graduating were being drafted for the WPS and that opened up the reality of my goal to play after college. After that, I knew it was a goal I could accomplish and reach.

VaSoccerNews: If you were not playing in the WPS what career would you pursue?

Farrelly: I honestly have no idea, I pretty much had my sights on soccer and refused to look at anything else I wanted to do ha. Which may be naive, but I also just knew that as of now, playing soccer is all I want to do. I majored in sociology at Virginia which is very broad and can be applied to a whole bunch of things that I'm interested in. But as of now, I ha vent really put in enough thoughts on that subject. I definitely don't think I'm a office/desk person, but would like to do something perhaps with soccer or at least athletics.

VaSoccerNews: Who are you most looking forward to playing against during the 2011 WPS season (player or team)?

Farrelly: Of course Marta has been such an amazing player in the WPS seasons and I would love to play against her and see all her magic. But I'm just excited in general to play against all the teams, and especially to see old friends and teammates whether I'm playing with them or against them.

VaSoccerNews: What one piece of advice can you give to youth players with aspirations of playing on the national team or professionally?

Farrelly: Probably just that if you really want something, its up to you to make it possible. There will be so many things out of your control during your time playing soccer but at the end of the day if you want to change something, you have the power to do it. And also, have fun!

Farrelly and Lenczyk Selected in 2011 WPS Draft

BALTIMORE, Md. – Two senior members of the Virginia women’s soccer team were selected Friday in the 2011 Women’s Professional Soccer Draft, held at the Baltimore Convention Center. Midfielder Sinead Farrelly (Havertown, Pa.) was selected with the second overall pick by the Philadelphia Independence and forward Meghan Lenczyk (McLean, Va.) was selected in the third round (No. 14 overall) by the Atlanta Beat.

This past season, Farrelly became the fifth player in school history to be named a first team NSCAA All-American, joining Amanda Cromwell (1991), Andrea Rubio (1991 and 1992), Becky Sauerbrunn (2003 and 2007) and Nikki Krzysik (2007 and 2008). She started all 22 games for the Cavaliers in 2010 and led the team in scoring with 12 goals and seven assists for 31 points. The 2010 ACC Offensive Player of the Year, Farrelly became the 10th player in conference history to be a four-time first-team All-ACC selection. She was a semifinalist for the 2010 Hermann Trophy.

Lenczyk was a second-team All-ACC selection in 2010. She was second on the team in scoring last season with 12 goals and six assists for 30 points. She concluded her career ranked tied for third in school history in career goals (36), tied for sixth in both career points (85) and career game-winning goals (12).

Live WPS Draft Coverage from Baltimore

Welcome to the Virginia Online Soccer News live coverage of the 2011 WPS Draft.

- Looks like the Freedom picked up another draft pick and now are drafting #3, #4, #10, #17, and #22

- Brianna Scurry is in attendance as the new GM for the Washington Freedom

- Just about ready to get underway here in Baltimore.

- Just a recap of WPS Draft 2010, Tobin Heath went #1 to the Atlanta Beat, who will be the first off the board this year?

- Under way as Rob Penner, WPS, starts off the introductions.

- and where off,

First Round:

- As expected, the WNY Flash select Alex Morgan from Cal as the #1 overall pick

- Pick #2 for Philadelphia Independence is Sinead Farelly from UVa

- o.k. now the Freedom/magicTalk SC select #3 & #4

- Meghan Klingenberg, MF, North Carolina selected #3 by Freedom

- #4 for Freedom joining Lkingenberg is Christen Press, F, Stanford

- #5 to Phillly is Lauren Fowlkes

- #6 is Keelin Winters to Boston

- #7 to Atlanta is Kylie Wright, MF, UCLA

- #8 New team, Western NY Flash will select Elli Reed, D, Portland to end 1st round and now a 5 minute break...

Second Round:

- # 9 starts second round with Jen Stoltenberg, F, Oregon

- #10 Freedom / magicTalk SC took a timeout, Omolyn Davis, GMU and Freedom Futures

- #11 going to Philly is Caitlin Farell Wake Forest

- #12 to wrap up the 2nd round, Boston gets Whitney Palmer

- Local player Meghan Lenczyk, F, Virginia still available and Freedom/magicTalk SC select #17 overall in the next (3rd) round...

Third Round:

- #13 WNY Flash chose Rose Augustin Notre Dame

- #14 Meghan Lenczyk, F, UVa to Atlanta

-#15 Lauren Barnes, D, UCLA goes to Philly

- #16 Sky Blue FC pick up Alyssa Mautz

- #17 Freedom/magicTalk select Amanda DeCosta, MF, FSU

- #18 Philly selects Bianca D'Agostino

- #19 with the final 3rd round pick Boston Breakers select Katherine Sheeleigh, Harvard

Fourth and Final Round:

- #20 Western NY Flash have chosen Ashliegh Bowers, Niagara

- #21 Sky Blue FC last pick of the 2011 WPS Draft will be Lauren Alkek

- #22 final pick for Freeedom/magicTalk SC select Katie Fraine, GK, Florida

- #23 Philly have picked Teresa Rynier of GMU with their final selection

- #24 with the final overall pick of the 2011 WPS Draft Boston get Tonya Taylor, UC Irvine

Draft recap and interviews will be posted within the next day or two.

Virginia's Farrelly rated #1 Midfielder heading into 2011 WPS Draft

Full story on WomensProSoccer.com

1.  Sinead Farrelly, Virginia
2.  Meghan Klingenberg, North Carolina
3.  Amanda DaCosta, Florida State
4.  Sophie Schmidt, Portland
5.  Rose Augustin, Notre Dame

2011 WPS Draft Hopefuls: UVa's Farrelly looking for a chance

orignilly posted by

Abby LePeilbet - Special to www.womensprosoccer.com  

12/23/2010 - 06:29 a.m.

Midfielder Sinead Farrelly tallied four goals and six assists during ACC play for the University of Virginia.

(Dec. 23, 2010) -- While only a small number of college seniors – 24 to be exact – will be drafted into Women’s Professional Soccer on January 14, many may have to claw their way onto the rosters of the six WPS teams once pre-season arrives. With an already established lot of players moving and shifting among those six clubs via trades and free agency, top players fresh out of college know they have their work cut out for themselves in their rookie seasons.

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Offensive Player of the Year, Virginia’s Sinead Farrelly, is one of those hopeful for her soccer career to continue at the professional level. The Cavalier had four goals and a conference-high six assists during ACC play her senior season, and is encouraged by the possibility of returning to the soccer stage in her native Pennsylvania.

Hailing from suburban Havertown, Pa., located just nine miles west of Philadelphia, one of Farrelly’s earliest soccer memories is with the local U-8 Havertown Hotspur team.

“I still like to believe we were the best team that has ever come out of Havertown,” said Farrelly. “We all grew up together and they were a huge part of the reason I fell in love with soccer.”

The center midfielder is already clued into the localized marketing schemes of WPS teams as the league forges ahead in a more regionalized form.

“I would absolutely love to play for Philadelphia just because I know the area. I have my family there, and it would just be nice to be so close to home,” Farrelly said.  “I also know many of my friends that would love to come watch me play and it would be nice to get that local support for myself and for the league as a whole.” 

The Philadelphia Independence propelled themselves into the 2010 WPS Championship in the expansion side’s first season of play, successfully forming a team out of trades and other WPS team’s unprotected experienced players in the expansion draft.

In advance of the 2010 WPS Draft, Independence Head Coach Paul Riley opted to trade out of the first round handing over their second pick to the Boston Breakers. However, in 2011, the Independence will have two selections to make in the first round, picks two and five.

With Cal Berkeley’s Alex Morgan expected to be selected first by the newest WPS club, the Western New York Flash, many suspect Stanford’s Christen Press will be headed to Philadelphia as the second overall selection. Should the Atlanta Beat and Washington Freedom pass on Farrelly, the Virginian midfielder has the potential to be swooped up by the Philly club fifth or even as the second round ninth pick – a selection received earlier this week in exchange for sending Caroline Seger over to the Flash.

"Sinead is an excellent player, but there are some very good impact players coming out of college,” said Riley. “Sinead is bright, clever, creative and has all the tools to be a top WPS midfielder. She has a good engine, excellent range of passing and a tremendous attitude to training. I'm sure Sinead will go in the first round."

While it is unlikely for a player to come in and establish a truly prominent role in managing the work flow of any WPS team’s midfield in her first professional season, the opportunity to develop among some of the world’s best talent is there.

“It’s definitely a great opportunity,” said Farrelly. “It’s so amazing that WPS is available and can give every women’s soccer player the chance to continue her career after playing at the college level.  I love playing soccer, and any chance that I have to keep doing what I love is something that I definitely would like to do.”

Sinead Farrely Articles on VaSoccerNews

• Farrelly Named Hermann Trophy Semi-Finalist
• Q & A With Sinead Farrelly
• Virginia Nationally Ranked Players

Farrelly Named a Hermann Trophy Semifinalist

CHARLOTTESVILLE – Virginia senior midfielder Sinead Farrelly (Havertown, Pa.) was one of 15 players named semifinalists for the 2010 Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy. The award, annually given to the top collegiate soccer player in the country, will be awarded on January 7.

Farrelly is a semifinalist for the second consecutive season, one of just two players on this year’s list to be a repeat selection. This season she started all 22 games for the Cavaliers and led the team in scoring with 12 goals and seven assists for 31 points. The 2010 ACC offensive player of the Year, Farrelly became the 10th player in conference history to be a four-time first-team All-ACC selection.

The three finalists for the award will be announced on Friday, Dec. 10. They will be invited to the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis for a news conference on Friday, Jan. 7, 2011, where the winner will be announced. A dinner and formal presentation of the award will follow the news conference that evening.

Q & A with Sinead Farrelly: UVA Women's Soccer Player

Q&A with Sinead Farrelly
Courtesy: VirginiaSports.com Release: 09/15/2010

The Virginia women's soccer team concludes the non-conference portion of its schedule Sunday when it visits West Virginia. The Cavaliers (6-0-1) are looking to go through non-conference play undefeated for the first time since 2004. Virginiasports.com talked to senior midfielder Sinead Farrelly, the current ACC Player of the week, to discuss the early season success of the team and preview the upcoming game with the Mountaineers.

Question: Last weekend, you defeated Texas and Boston University to win the Virginia Nike Soccer Classic. How important is it to defend the home field and win your own tournament?

Farrelly: Whether it is our tournament or not, we always have a goal not to lose at home. It is something we take pride in. Especially this past week, against teams we have never played before, we needed to show that Klöckner is our field and we aren't going to let anyone come in and beat us. Also, these are important non-conference games that we need to win, and we got the job done.

Question: Both games were wins, but all the goals were scored in the second half. Is that something that you are doing right in the second half or is it something that needs improvement in the first half?

Farrelly: We want to come out right from the opening whistle and play like we can. We were playing well in the first half, but just weren't finishing our chances. We need to look at getting that done earlier and make it easier for ourselves. It taught us a lot about what we have to do in upcoming games.

Question: A key to that second half success has been the depth on the team. How do you think the depth is on this team compared to years past?

Farrelly: The depth is a huge factor why we have been doing so well. We always talk about seamlessness, that when we sub, there's not a difference in our level of play. Knowing that we get the same energy level and the same talent level whenever we bring in players off the bench is big for us.

Question: There is one more non-conference game left, but so far you are undefeated on the season. How important is it to have all a lot momentum going as you approach the ACC season?

Farrelly: It's huge; I don't think we have ever been undefeated heading into the ACC season since I have been here. We have played a really good out of conference schedule. It is a huge confidence booster for us. When we play with confidence, we are so much better.

Question: So far you have been having very good results on both ends of the field, outscoring opponents 27-1. What's been the key to the strength at both ends of the field?

Farrelly: It's good because our defense can count on us to score and we can count on them to not let anything in. It gives everyone confidence to perform their role on the field when you know that both ends of the field are having success.

Question: You travel to West Virginia this weekend, which is always a rivalry game. What do you anticipate in this match up?

Farrelly: It's going to be a huge game. Rivalries like this are always good for us because we know the level of play is going to be high. For us, it's also our last chance to get ready for ACC play. The last time we went there, we didn't play well (a 3-0 loss in 2008), so we are ready to for another chance. I'm excited; I think it will be a good game.

Virginia Nationally Ranked High School and College Teams and Players

NSCAA - Nationally Ranked Virginia Colleges (soccer)
Men (NCAA 9/21/10)
D-I: #7 Virginia
*also receiving votes: William & Mary

D-III: #2 Christopher Newport

Women (NCAA 9/21/10)
DI: #11 Virginia

NSCAA - Nationally Ranked Virginia High Schools (soccer)
Boys (9/21/10)
National: #4 Episcopal (Alexandria)
Region IV: #1 Episcopal (Alexandria)

Girls (9/21/10)
None Ranked

Women’s College Players to Watch – National Top 100 (TopDrawerSoccer.com)

#2 - Sinead Farrelly, Virginia MF
#63 - Lauren Alwine, Virginia F
#66 - Marika Gray, Virginia Tech. F
#75 - Meghan Lenczyk, Virginia F








Men’s College Players to Watch – National Top 100 (TopDrawerSoccer.com)

#5 - CJ Sapong, James Madison F
#20 – Greg Monaco, Virginia D
#28 – Will Bates, Virginia F
#49 – Ryan Snyder, William & Mary F
#62 – Diego Restrepo, Virginia GK
#97 – Mike Volk, Virginia D