Celebration of Women's Soccer Rosters Announced

Washington, D.C.  (August 23, 2012) – Mark Washo, Managing Partner for Playbook Management International (PMI) Sports and Entertainment Company and former President and General Manager of the Washington Freedom, has announced the final rosters for the women’s charity soccer game that will be played at the Maryland Soccer Plex stadium field on Saturday, August 25, 2012. All net proceeds from the game will benefit the Michael Washo “Art from the Heart” Foundation and DC Scores.

“The response from the players and community has been greater than I anticipated,” said Washo. “The event will kick off with a special meet and greet at Not Your Average Joe’s on Friday and we are very excited about the game and some of the elements we have added.  It will be a special night at the Maryland Soccer Plex and the perfect environment in which to pay tribute to many current and past professional women’s soccer players from the WPS (Freedom), WUSA, WPSL and W league.” 

Becky Sauerbrunn and Lori Lindsey will play a special role in this weekend’s activities, which will start off with a special meet and greet at Not Your Average Joe’s on Friday, August 24^th from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. Sauerbrunn will serve as the guest coach for the Celebration of Women’s Soccer All Star’s squad while Lindsey will guide the Maryland Capitols. Each will have final say as they will be provided wireless microphones and will be commentating throughout the game. Sauerbrunn and Lindsey will be available for autographs along with the rest of the players after the game. 

People interested in the post-game festivities will need to follow Sauerbrunn and Lindsey on twitter because they will be sending out the location on Saturday. Sauerbrunn can be found at http://twitter.com/beckysauerbrunn while Lindsey can be followed at https://twitter.com/LoriLindsey6. They will also be sending out updates throughout the weekend.

The Celebration squad will be stocked with many former Freedom players and the first two players to commit back in July were former Freedom and US National team player Cat Whitehill, and former Washington Freedom, Magic Jack and Boston Breakers player Nikki Marshall. Former Freedom players joining Whitehill and Marshall include Allie Long, Katie Jo Spisak, Nikki Marshall, Caitlin Miskel, Joanna Lohman and former Freedom Future standout Tyler Lussi.

• KJ Spisak
• Cat Whitehill
• Diana Weigel
• Leann Champ
• Sula Lansaw
• Caleigh Savageau
• Emily Carroll
• Tiffany Gales
• Caitlin Miskel
• Joanna Lohman
• Nikki Marshall
• Zulia Menjivar
• Tyler Lussi
• Allie Long
• Lianne Sanderson

There will also be two special guest players playing for the Freedom and they are Melissa Penny and Danielle Olsen, both members of the Montgomery County Police Department. Fellow Officer Rob Grims will serve as an assistant coach for the Celebration team helping out James Galanis and Becky Sauerbrunn.

• Jacqui Desjardin
• Amanda Lebo
• Bekah Munnikhuysen
• Danielle Malagari
• Jess Hnatiuk
• Erica Suter
• Rachel Lindenfeld
• Brittany Hadaway
• Jen Devarcis
• Laura Kane
• Anabel Jimenez
• Ali Andrzejewski
• Diana Barrera
• Allie Wilkerson
• Claudia Barrera

The Beer Garden will once again be back and will feature Yuengling, Miller, Coors while for the younger people Smoothie King and Dominion Root Beer will be just some of the offerings.

The primary benefitting charity is Michael Washo’s “Art from the Heart” Foundation. Michael Washo’s “Art from the Heart” Foundation was founded in April 2012 in memory of Mark Washo’s father; its mission is to educate people on the dangers to the HEART from chemotherapy and radiation treatments for patients battling cancer. DC Scores is an after school poetry and soccer program serving underprivileged “at risk” DC Youth

The match will occur Saturday night during the Damascus and Seneca Youth Soccer August Cup Tournament www.augustcup.com.  Tickets for the Celebration of Women’s Soccer Charity match are on sale now online at www.pmi.ticketsocket.com. For more information; please visit the official website at Facebook; Celebration of Women’s Soccer page (is http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Celebration-of-Womens-Soccer/258264650951521). Tickets are for sale for $20 (includes post- game “meet-greet” pass), $15 and $10.  Advance discounts also available for youth soccer players and coaches, please contact cfrakespmiglobalsales@gmail.com or klangepmiglobalsales@gmail.com or by calling (201) 669-9013.
Tyler Lussi

Celebration of Women's Soccer Charity Match at Maryland SoccerPlex

Celebration of Women’s Soccer charity match to be held at Maryland Soccer plex during august cup youth tournament

Game set for August 25^th, 2012 7:30 PM

                              

                                                                                                                                                   

Washington, D.C.  (July 13, 2012) – Mark Washo, Managing Partner for Playbook Management International (PMI) Sports and Entertainment Company and former President and General Manager of the Washington Freedom, has announced there will be a women’s charity soccer game played at the Maryland Soccer Plex stadium field on Saturday, August 25, 2012 benefitting the Michael Washo “Art from the Heart” Foundation and DC Scores. 

CLICK HERE To order Tickets

“We have a unique opportunity to bring many former and current professional women’s soccer players together for a fun night of soccer to help raise money and awareness for charity in the wake of the Summer Olympics” said Washo. “The Maryland Soccer Plex is the perfect venue to connect the past, present and future of women’s soccer. The feedback from the players who have committed to this event has been nothing short of sensational; it will be a special night.  The match will feature and pay tribute to many current and past professional women’s soccer players from the WPS (Freedom), WUSA, WPSL and W league. 

Every week a new player or guest coach will be introduced via Twitter @soccerwasho and Facebook- Celebration of Women’s Soccer.  The first two players who have committed to the match are former University of North Carolina, Freedom Team Captain, Boston Breakers and US National team player Cat Whitehill, as well as former University of Colorado, Colorado Force, Washington Freedom, Magic Jack and Boston Breakers player Nikki Marshall.  The select “All-Star” team will be playing an inter-squad game with current members of the Maryland Capitols team of the WPSL.

The primary benefitting charity is Michael Washo’s “Art from the Heart” Foundation. Michael Washo’s “Art from the Heart” Foundation was founded in April 2012 in memory of Mark Washo’s father; its mission is to educate people on the dangers to the HEART from chemotherapy and radiation treatments for patients battling cancer. DC Scores is an after school poetry and soccer program serving underprivileged “at risk” DC Youth

The match will occur Saturday night during the Damascus and Seneca Youth Soccer August Cup Tournament www.augustcup.com.  Tickets for the Celebration of Women’s Soccer Charity match are on sale now online at www.pmi.ticketsocket.com . For more information; please visit the official website at Facebook; Celebration of Women’s Soccer page. Tickets are for sale for $20 (includes post- game “meet-greet” pass), $15 and $10.  Advance discounts also available for youth soccer players and coaches, please contact cfrakespmiglobalsales@gmail.

com or klangepmiglobalsales@gmail.com or by calling (201) 669-9013.

DC Elite Tryouts at Soccerplex Sunday

DC Elite Training Alliance has announced tryouts this Sunday at the Maryland Soccerplex for ALL GIRLS age groups this weekend.

When: Sunday, March 25th

Time: 7-8:30 PM for ALL GIRLS AGE GROUPS

All age groups (U12-16) should sign in at Field 19.

U12 and U13 will be on one field, U14, U15 and U16 will be on the second field.

Where: Maryland Soccerplex

Please arrive 15-30 minutes before the start of tryouts.

All players should bring a ball, shinguards and water.

Please make sure that you have pre-registered for tryouts using the link below:
http://dcelite.wufoo.com/forms/dc-elite-tryout-registration-for-summer-2012/

If you have any questions, please contact:
info@dcelitetrainingalliance.com

PSC to host Pro Combine at Maryland SoccerPlex

PSC Soccer Academy - News

Pro Soccer Consulting (PSC) is proud to announce that they will be hosting a professional soccer combine for the Wilmington Hammerheads of the USL Pro League in March 2012 at the Maryland Soccerplex in Boyds, MD.

PSC has already hosted three combines for top college and professional players during the last quarter for clubs within the USL Pro, Norwegian Premier League and Norwegian Second Division. This upcoming combine is designed for the following: -

1) Coach Irving and his technical staff to recruit players for the 2012 season.

2) PSC to evaluate players from North America who are looking to play professionally in Europe.

Dates:

Friday March 2nd 2012 – Sunday March 4th 2012

Schedule:

Friday, 2nd March: 1.30pm: Registration / Introduction 2.00pm – 4.30pm: Small Sided Games

Saturday, 3rd March: 10.30pm – 1.00pm: 11 v 11 Games

Sunday, 4th March: 10.30pm – 1.00pm: 11 v 11 Games

Cost:

Players that sign up on or before February 19th will receive an early registration price of $299 for attendance at the three day combine.

Location:

Maryland Soccerplex & Discovery Sports Center

18031 Central Park Circle

Boyds, MD 20841

Registration:

To apply to be a part of this combine players must submit a registration form at the following website – http://www.pscsocceracademy.net/registration_form.htm

Accommodation:

PSC have secured a special discounted rate with the Holiday Inn Express in Gaithersburg, MD. The hotel will be hosting combine players and will provide a shuttle service to and from the Soccerplex as part of the combine package. Please quote PSC Soccer Combine when contacting the hotel to secure this special rate.

Hotel details:

Holiday Inn Gaithersburg

2 Montgomery Village Ave.

Gaithersburg, MD 20879

Tel: 301-948-8900

About PSC:

PSC Ltd is a soccer agency based in the UK with established links in the EPL along with US professional soccer and professional clubs throughout Europe and Asia.

Over the last few years they have taken numerous US-based players to trial in Europe and Asia, where many have been successful. Players have subsequently signed lucrative contracts in England, Norway, Austria, Slovenia, Belgium and China.

The company have also been heavily involved in bringing EPL teams to the USA for exhibition games, the most recent being West Bromwich Albion in July 2011, who played games against MLS outfits, San Jose Earthquakes and Portland Timbers.

For more information on the company and PSC’s previous combines, please follow the links below: -

http://www.pscltd.co.uk/combine.htm

http://pscsocceracademy.net/combines_european_trials.htm

Virginia beat Maryland at 15th Annual Kicks Against Breast Cancer Tournament

The University of Virginia beat rivals Maryland 3-0 Saturday at the SoccerPlex in Boyds, MD. as part of the 15th Annual Kicks Against Breast Cancer Tournament.

For more information about the tournament and a list of teams go to: Kicks Against Breast Cancer

D.C. United to face Revolution for U.S. Open Cup play-in game

Washington, D.C. (April 6, 2011) - Following a victory tonight over the Philadelphia Union, D.C. United today announced details for a second U.S. Open Cup play-in game against the New England Revolution. The Black-and-Red will play host to the Revolution on Tuesday, April 26 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, MD. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm.

9th Annual, DC SCORES Cup 11

Saturday June 11, 2011
Maryland SoccerPlex

Win lunch with Alexi Lalas!

Who can forget one of the stars of the U.S. 1994 World Cup team? Or the 1995 United States Soccer Athlete of the Year? Or the first modern-era U.S. player to play in the Italian Serie A?

Well, whoever wins the SCORES Cup won't just go home with our Stanley Cup of trophies. They will also get to hang out with the former U.S. bad boy and current ESPN soccer analyst this summer. Don't miss out on this chance!

The ninth annual DC SCORES Cup will be held Saturday, June 11 at the Maryland SoccerPlex. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit DC SCORES' 800 poet-athletes.

The SCORES Cup places teams from the greater DC area -- including corporations, law firms, small businesses and others -- in a World Cup-style, round-robin format. The games are 7v7, co-ed and for adults 21-and-up.

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Sign up your Team
Download a Registration Form

Announcing DC SCORES Cup 11

Saturday June 11, 2011
Maryland SoccerPlex

 

The ninth annual DC SCORES Cup will be held Saturday, June 11 at the Maryland SoccerPlex. All proceeds from the tournament will benefit DC SCORES' 800 poet-athletes.

The SCORES Cup places teams from the greater DC area -- including corporations, law firms, small businesses and others -- in a World Cup-style, round-robin format. The games are 7v7, co-ed and for adults 21-and-up.

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Sign up your Team
Download a Registration Form

The entry fee of $3,600 for a team of 15 is a charitable contribution to DC SCORES and includes:

• At least three games (and up to six) at the Maryland SoccerPlex
• Your logo featured on tournament T-shirts
• Event signage at playing field
• 15 tickets to D.C. United game, where SCORES Cup winner receives trophy at halftime
• Name recognition on DC SCORES and DC SCORES Cup websites and in regional newsletter, SCORES SCOOP
• Tournament giveaways TBD
• Pre-tournament party in the District

2011 Teams

Booz Allen Hamilton
Clark Construction
District Sports
Hogan Lovells US LLP
Marriott
Zuckerman Spaeder LLP

Sponsorship Opportunities
Sign Up Now!

For more information on being a SCORES Cup sponsor, download the sponsorship packet (pdf).

Sponsorship Levels:

• *Title Sponsor $15,000
• *World Cup Sponsor $10,000
• *Champions League Sponsor $5,000
• Booth Sponsor $500-2,500

*Includes entering a team ($3,600 value)

Past Winners

2010: Hogan Lovells US LLP
2009: Marriott International
2008: Kirkland & Ellis LLP
2007: Latham & Watkins LLP
2006: Marriott International
2005: Whole Foods
2004: Whole Foods
2003: Marriott International

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Past Participants

Accurate Conceptions
Advisory Board Foundation
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Al Jazeera USA, Inc.
AOL
Arnold & Porter LLP
BDO Seidman LLP
Bingham McCutchen LLP
Booz Allen Hamilton
CARANA Corporation
Clark Construction
Corporate Executive Board
DC Stoddert Soccer League
District Sports
Finnegan Henderson Farabow
Garret & Dunner LLP
Friedman Billings Ramsey
FTI Consulting
Gibson, Dunn, Crutcher LLP
Hogan Lovells US LLP
Holland & Knight LLP
Hunton & Williams LLP

John Snow, Inc.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Latham & Watkins LLP
Marriott International
Morrison Foerster
Nathan Associates, Inc.
PEPCO
PricewaterhouseCoopers
RAFFA P.C.
RightStar Systems
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP
SportsChallenge
The Advisory Board Company
The Meltzer Group
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Venable LLP
Vinson & Elkins LLP
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Walmart
Whole Foods Market
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
WilmerHale
Zuckerman Spaeder LLP

For More Information:

To learn more about the DC SCORES Cup or to enter a team, contact Jake Lloyd at jlloyd@americascores.org or 202.393.6999 x301.

WPS and PUMA team up for Project Pink

Like many people out there, my wife and I participate in the annual AVON Walk for breast cancer. And like many people, we do so because a member of our family has been affected by breast cancer.

Well, this season Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) and PUMA (the main sponsor for WPS) have teamed up to join the battle against breast cancer. Since I believe so strongly in finding a cure for this disease and since I obviously love soccer what better way to join the fight myself than by promoting the Project Pink initiative run by PUMA.

How are PUMA and WPS using Project Pink to help in the fight against breast cancer? Good question, supporters of breast cancer charities with nonprofit status can log on at wps.pumafootball.com/projectpink  to nominate the groups closest to their hearts, and, come September, we'll open the site for voting. The charity with the most votes at the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October will ultimately receive a donation consisting of 100% of the profits from the sale of PUMA Project Pink merchandise.

If you can't wait for then to get your very own Project Pink gear and want to help support the cause you can shop online here: Shop PUMA Project Pink Gear. You can also support Project Pink on Twitter by using the #projectpink hash tag -- PUMA will donate an additional $1 per Tweet per user per day, up to $25K!

Ten Observations from Washington Freedom vs. FC Gold Pride game 7/24

This past Saturday evening my daughter and I were part of the record attendance of 4,809 at the Maryland SoccerPlex to see the Washington Freedom take on Marta and FC Gold Pride.

As fans of the Freedom, the result was not what we had hoped for but it was a very entertaining evening none the less. There was so much action and an unbelievable chain of events that at one point my daughter (who is connected to her "world" via texting) told me that I Twitter too much! The twitter was definitely on overdrive in my attempt to keep the 'followers' up to date on all of the strange events taking place during this much anticipated match up of WPS all-star team captains, Marta and Abby Wambach.

(photo property of: Brad Smith | isiphotos.com)

Without posting the entire nights twitter log this following list is an attempt to compile the top ten observations before, during, and after the match. In all reality the list could most likely be expanded upon in the comments section from those of you in attendance as well, since I most surely was unable to notice every bit of craziness.

1. Marta is AMAZING! - Without being much of a factor for the entire first half, Marta added 2 goals to her already record setting total of 11. She now has 13 goals with 8 games left to play. (consider the record shattered!)
2. Abby's touch was OFF - Stats can sometimes be misleading. Abby did have the only goal for the Freedom on the night but anyone in attendance can tell you her touch was off the entire night. Makes you wonder if all the recent National Team play is taking its toll on her.
3. Mia Hamm can still draw the fans - By simply being at the SoccerPlex, Mia Hamm helps draw 4,809 fans to the SoccerPlex (best attend. this season).
4. Tiffany Milbrett still has "IT" - Even at the age of 37, Milbrett is still an intimidating task for the oppositions defenders. She had 2 goals along with Marta and gave the Freedom defense fits alll game.
5. The pre-game Fan Zone area is boring - Sorry, I am a fan of the Freedom and the value is great when attending a game but the Fan Zone area outside the front gates need a face lift. Other than the all female drum group who were great, there is very little to keep fans entertained.
6. Washington Freedom Defence needs help - Yes the Freedom defenders were tasked with defending the best female player in the world but she was not the only player they had trouble with. Tiffany Milbrett was much to fast for them to mark and they were often out of position during the transitional attack by FC Gold Pride.
7. Coach Gabarra must be very frustrated - He has been ejected from a game this season and then during the match against FC Gold Pride after using his allotment for subs, the Freedom keeper, Erin McLeod went down with an injury and Coach Gabarra is forced to play a player down and put Cat Whitehill in as the new goalkeeper. (probably the craziest ending to a game this season in the WPS)
8. Women's Professional Soccer is important - The existence of a professional women's sports team in our area is a great benefit to the female youth fans. There were literally hundreds of young ladies in attendance and lined up waiting to get autographs from some of the biggest names in women's soccer. Marta, Wambach, Milbrett, Whitehill, and plenty more. Great role models for our young ladies.
9. Mia Hamm can still sell more jerseys than any other player - There had to be at least 100 Mia Hamm jerseys being worn by fans of all ages in attendance. The youngest fan in a #9 Hamm jersey that I noticed was a 5 year old girl. How does she even know who Mia Hamm is, priceless.
10. Marta, Marta, Marta - How can enough credit be given to Marta? She is the new face of the WPS, Women's Soccer, and FC Gold Pride. After the game Abby Wambach was quoted as saying:
    

    She (Marta) is the best player in the world. She runs faster than any of us, and she is just as fast when she has the ball. Her ball skills are terrific, and by far the best on the field.

The game had all the drama you could imagine and more. From Mia Hamm making an appearance to the two current most popular players in the league facing off. There was a defender playing as a goalkeeper, and two players on the same team with two goals each. There was record setting attendance, heat, and the best goal scorer the WPS has ever seen adding to her season total.

For all the discussion about whether or not the WPS will survive it is important to point out that this is not a league created to appease those who argue for equality in sports. No, the Women's Professional Soccer league is outstanding entertainment with quality players and the mere existence of the league allows for our daughters and sisters to have the realistic dream of playing in front of thousands of fans and one day trying to be the next Marta. Good luck with that last dream though!

Follow the discussion on twitter:

 @VaSoccerNews

Virginia Online Soccer News Writing Contest: "What the WPS Means to Me?"

Recently my daughter and I attended a WPS game of the Washington Freedom. Before and after the game my daughter was able to meet players from both teams and get their autographs. As I watched from a few rows away I noticed the large numbers of young girls lining up to do the same and I realized how great it is for these young ladies to be able to attend a professional women’s sporting event and have female athletes as their role models. The existence of the WPS also fosters a dream to many of them of one day playing professionally themselves.

In a previous article written for VaSoccerNews by Karen Ruberg, ‘The Influence of WPS on female youth players?, Karen discussed the

need to have female role models involved in the game of soccer throughout all levels of.

Former US Women’s National team member and Professional soccer player, Brandi Chastain even weighed in on the article saying:

It is important that girls and women see examples of themselves in all facets of life; sports, law, education, business, boardrooms, non-profit, family and otherwise because without an example, it is much more difficult to encourage and foster the belief that they too can dream and become whomever they wish. Those are my two cents.

The existence of the WPS is so important especially to youth players and female youth players in particular and who better to explain the value and importance than the players and fans themselves.

So, Virginia Online Soccer News announces a contest to discover the answer to the question: "What the WPS Means to Me?"

Here are the details of the writing contest by VaSoccerNews.com:

1. Title = "What the WPS Means to Me?"
2. Must be 18 yrs. or younger to enter.
3. Submission should be between 250-500 words.
4. Three finalists will be chosen and readers will get to vote to select the Winner.
5. Winning submission will be published on VaSoccerNews.blogspot.com, Washington Freedom website, AllWhiteKit.com, and 90:00 Soccer Magazine.
6. Prize = Winner will receive 2 tickets to a Washington Freedom home game @ Maryland SoccerPlex.
7. Winner will be determined and notified on July 31, 2010.

To enter your submission for consideration click on the button below and good luck!

Abby, Marta, and Mia Hamm will all be in one place; at the Maryland SoccerPlex

Washington Freedom Coaches Club - Weekend Highlights
Friday, July 23rd

The Washington Freedom are hosting the upcoming Washington Freedom/Athletes for Hope charity game this Friday at 4:30 p.m at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Freedom Alumni will be playing a 6 v. 6 game against the Montgomery County Police Department to benefit the Sharon Margaux charity.

There will be a Q&A session following the game with the Freedom Alumni as well. This game is open to the public, so come on out for a great cause!

For more infomation about the Sharon Margaux charity please click HERE.

Saturday, July 24th

The Freedom have a big game coming up this weekend---maybe the biggest game all season! Abby, Marta, and Mia Hamm will all be in one place; at the Maryland SoccerPlex! Come and check out 3 of the best women's soccer players, we have plenty of opportunitites for you!

Want to meet Mia Hamm? The Freedom Alumni will be taking pictures with the first 12 groups to sign up prior to the game (50+ tickets sold). The Alumni will also be inducting a new member at halftime.

Abby and Marta come head-to-head once again. So far Marta has come out on top, at the All-Star game as well as their last meeting, FC Gold Pride won the game 3-2. But we think Abby is due for a victory this game!

Please contact Jaclyn Benjamin if you would like to witness one of Freedom's most exciting games this season! Call 240-449-1620 or email jaclyn.benjamin@washingtonfreedom.com.

Thanks and GO FREEDOM!

Quick Breakdown

• Friday, July 23rd
• 4:30pm Freedom Alumni vs. Montgomery County Police Department charity game
• Q & A session immediately following.
• Game is open to the public, but donations are highly encouraged to benefit the Sharon Margaux charity.
• Saturday, July 24th
• 5:00pm Freedom Alumni pictur
• There's just a few spots left so sign up today! (50+ tickets sold)
• 6:00pm Freedom FANFEST
• 7:00pm Washington Freedom vs. FC Gold Pride.
• Abby & Marta come face-to-face again, who will come out on top this time??

Ticket Prices

Youth Soccer discounts apply!!

• Premier Sideline: $20 (savings of $15)
• Unreserved Bleacher Lower: $18 (savings of $7)
• Unreserved Bleacher Upper: $15 (savings of $5)