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Goal.com's WPS Player of the Week: Allison Whitworth, Atlanta Beat
Whitworth stopped all 11 Philadelphia Independence shots, earning the Beat's first WPS point and Player of the Week honors.
Apr 13, 2010 1:15:00 AM
By Giovanni Albanese Jr.
Not much stock was put into the October 29, 2009, trade that sent FC Gold Pride backup goalkeeper Allison Whitworth to the Atlanta Beat. In return for Whitworth (along with a third-round draft pick) the Pride picked up a first- and second-round pick.
FC Gold Pride turned those draft picks into Ali Riley and Becky Edwards; Atlanta got its starting keeper.
While the Gold Pride were in St. Louis losing 2-0 (with its U.S. women’s national team keeper Nicole Barnhart), the Beat played a scoreless tie against fellow expansion team Philadelphia Independence, thanks to 11 saves by Whitworth.
Last year, Whitworth played four games in relief of Barnhart, going 1-2-1, allowing five goals on 22 shots, recording 17 saves in 360 minutes.
In 90 minutes on Sunday afternoon, Whitworth picked up the clean sheet, stopping all 11 shots on target, all while earning the Atlanta Beat’s first WPS point.
Perhaps the Gold Pride traded away the wrong goalkeeper this offseason. It is, however, just one game; the next 23 regular season games will tell the story. But for now, notch one in the Beat’s favor.
Whitworth and the Beat take their act up to Maryland to take on last season’s top-scoring club, the Washington Freedom on Sunday, April 18, at 7 p.m.
Also receiving consideration for Goal.com’s WPS Player of the Week was Eniola Aluko, who netted two goals in Athletica’s 2-0 win over Barnhart and the Gold Pride.
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FC Gold Pride turned those draft picks into Ali Riley and Becky Edwards; Atlanta got its starting keeper.
While the Gold Pride were in St. Louis losing 2-0 (with its U.S. women’s national team keeper Nicole Barnhart), the Beat played a scoreless tie against fellow expansion team Philadelphia Independence, thanks to 11 saves by Whitworth.
Last year, Whitworth played four games in relief of Barnhart, going 1-2-1, allowing five goals on 22 shots, recording 17 saves in 360 minutes.
In 90 minutes on Sunday afternoon, Whitworth picked up the clean sheet, stopping all 11 shots on target, all while earning the Atlanta Beat’s first WPS point.
Perhaps the Gold Pride traded away the wrong goalkeeper this offseason. It is, however, just one game; the next 23 regular season games will tell the story. But for now, notch one in the Beat’s favor.
Whitworth and the Beat take their act up to Maryland to take on last season’s top-scoring club, the Washington Freedom on Sunday, April 18, at 7 p.m.
Also receiving consideration for Goal.com’s WPS Player of the Week was Eniola Aluko, who netted two goals in Athletica’s 2-0 win over Barnhart and the Gold Pride.
Become a fan of Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game
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