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Rodriguez Goes #1 in WPS Draft, As Expected
The first draft in WPS history went as expected when Amy Rodriguez was taken first overall by the Boston Breakers.
Jan 16, 2009 2:17:52 PM
By Greg Lalas
ST. LOUIS -- Women’s Professional Soccer had a big day on Friday, perhaps the biggest in a long list of recent milestones, as the new league continues toward its late March kickoff. On the heels of the announcement of the LA Sol’s signing of 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year Marta, the WPS finally got down to the real business of team-building with the inaugural draft.
As predicted by most observers, Southern California’s Amy Rodriguez went #1 overall, selected by the Boston Breakers. In fact, the pick was such a no-brainer that Breakers President Joe Cummings stood up and started walking toward the podium before WPS commissioner Tonya Antonucci had finished the sentence “The Boston Breakers are on the clock.”
“Obviously, the pedigree tells you everything you need to know from the playing standpoint,” Cummings told Goal.com.
Just 21, Rodriguez has already cemented her place in the annals of women’s soccer, having led USC to the national championship in 2007. "A-Rod" as she's nicknamed, then built on her legend by assisting on Carli Lloyd’s winning goal in the gold-medal game in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Wearing a pristine suit with a frilly orange shirt and a perpetual smile, she was greeted with a rousing ovation from the standing-room-only crowd when she accepted her jersey from Breakers coach Tony DiCicco.
“There are so many talented players, and to be the number-one draft pick is a great honor,” she told Goal.com. “I’ve never been to Boston. I’m a California girl, born and raised, but from what I hear, it’s a great city.”
The Chicago Red Stars likewise wasted no time handing in their pick at #2. Megan Rapinoe, a US international out of the University of Portland, should be a star in the WPS, both on the field and off. The oft-injured midfielder has the kind of whirlwind personality that every team needs.
“I feel like my personality can show when I play,” she said.
FC Gold Pride, based in the Bay Area, picked exciting striker Christina DiMartino from UCLA at #3. New York’s Sky Blue FC then chose 5’11” North Carolina midfielder Yael Averbuch, followed by LA Sol’s selection of Notre Dame midfielder Brittany Bock.
St. Louis Athletica’s selection of Notre Dame striker Kerri Hanks at #6 stirred another explosion of applause in the draft room, as the local fans celebrated their team’s acquisition of the two-time MAC Hermann Trophy winner. “I’m excited for what this city can do for women’s soccer,” she said in her acceptance speech.
The Washington Freedom closed out the first round with the drafting of UNC midfielder Allie Long.
WPS Inaugural Draft, St. Louis, MO
First Round
1. Boston Breakers: Amy Rodriguez, Southern California, F
2. Chicago Red Stars: Megan Rapinoe, Portland, M
3. FC Gold Pride: Christina DiMartino, UCLA, F
4. Sky Blue FC: Yael Averbuch, UNC, M
5. LA Sol: Brittany Bock, Notre Dame, M
6. St. Louis Athletica: Kerri Hanks, Notre Dame, F
7. Washington Freedom: Allie Long, UNC, M
Greg Lalas is the Site Director for Goal.com USA.
ST. LOUIS -- Women’s Professional Soccer had a big day on Friday, perhaps the biggest in a long list of recent milestones, as the new league continues toward its late March kickoff. On the heels of the announcement of the LA Sol’s signing of 2009 FIFA World Player of the Year Marta, the WPS finally got down to the real business of team-building with the inaugural draft.
As predicted by most observers, Southern California’s Amy Rodriguez went #1 overall, selected by the Boston Breakers. In fact, the pick was such a no-brainer that Breakers President Joe Cummings stood up and started walking toward the podium before WPS commissioner Tonya Antonucci had finished the sentence “The Boston Breakers are on the clock.”
“Obviously, the pedigree tells you everything you need to know from the playing standpoint,” Cummings told Goal.com.
Just 21, Rodriguez has already cemented her place in the annals of women’s soccer, having led USC to the national championship in 2007. "A-Rod" as she's nicknamed, then built on her legend by assisting on Carli Lloyd’s winning goal in the gold-medal game in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. Wearing a pristine suit with a frilly orange shirt and a perpetual smile, she was greeted with a rousing ovation from the standing-room-only crowd when she accepted her jersey from Breakers coach Tony DiCicco.
“There are so many talented players, and to be the number-one draft pick is a great honor,” she told Goal.com. “I’ve never been to Boston. I’m a California girl, born and raised, but from what I hear, it’s a great city.”
The Chicago Red Stars likewise wasted no time handing in their pick at #2. Megan Rapinoe, a US international out of the University of Portland, should be a star in the WPS, both on the field and off. The oft-injured midfielder has the kind of whirlwind personality that every team needs.
“I feel like my personality can show when I play,” she said.
FC Gold Pride, based in the Bay Area, picked exciting striker Christina DiMartino from UCLA at #3. New York’s Sky Blue FC then chose 5’11” North Carolina midfielder Yael Averbuch, followed by LA Sol’s selection of Notre Dame midfielder Brittany Bock.
St. Louis Athletica’s selection of Notre Dame striker Kerri Hanks at #6 stirred another explosion of applause in the draft room, as the local fans celebrated their team’s acquisition of the two-time MAC Hermann Trophy winner. “I’m excited for what this city can do for women’s soccer,” she said in her acceptance speech.
The Washington Freedom closed out the first round with the drafting of UNC midfielder Allie Long.
WPS Inaugural Draft, St. Louis, MO
First Round
1. Boston Breakers: Amy Rodriguez, Southern California, F
2. Chicago Red Stars: Megan Rapinoe, Portland, M
3. FC Gold Pride: Christina DiMartino, UCLA, F
4. Sky Blue FC: Yael Averbuch, UNC, M
5. LA Sol: Brittany Bock, Notre Dame, M
6. St. Louis Athletica: Kerri Hanks, Notre Dame, F
7. Washington Freedom: Allie Long, UNC, M
Greg Lalas is the Site Director for Goal.com USA.
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