By John Santos
The 2010 Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) College Draft is in the history books on a day that saw the early rounds dominated by Pali Blues alumni. Nowhere was Pali pedigree on better display than the first round with a whopping six of eleven players selected, including the first five picks in a row.
“It is a credit to Coach Naimo and our founders, the strength of the USL W-League as destination for the top up-and-coming players, as well as the reputation of the Palisades community as a great place to spend a summer playing ball,” crowed Blues GM Jason Lemire.
With the first pick in the draft, the expansion Atlanta Beat selected Pali Blues electrifying midfielder, Tobin Heath. For the 2009 US Soccer Young Female Athlete of the year, becoming a professional footballer should be an easy transition for the New Jersey native. Heath already has experience with the full National team, being capped 14 times since 2008, capturing Olympic Gold in Beijing, and executing the now famous “double-nutmeg” against Canada in one of her first appearances.
Joining Heath in the pro ranks will be fellow Pali Blue and Gold Medalist Lauren Cheney, who was the second overall draftee courtesy of the Boston Breakers. Having appeared consistently for the Blues last season and scoring twice, WPS fans around the country had been anticipating her transition to the pro ranks. Fans recall it was an injury to Abby Wambach just prior the start of the 2008 Summer Olympics that opened the door for Cheney on the international stage in which she went on to make 3 appearances in the tournament. To date she has appeared 19 times for the United States National Team while scoring four goals.
With the third pick in the draft, FC Gold Pride selected forward Kelly O’Hara. In only six appearances for the Blues in 2009, the pride of Stanford found the back of the net four times, including a dramatic strike in the Western Conference Final. Kelley was also selected as this year’s MAC Hermann Trophy Award winner. Given to the best college player in the country each year, past winners include Michelle Ackers, Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Shannon McMillan to name a few.
Rolling Hills Estates’ Whitney Engen was selected fourth overall by the Chicago Red Stars. The Pali Blues and University of North Carolina defender joins a team that features former Pali Blue defensive stalwart, Jill Oakes. She also joins a long line of standout defenders coached by UNC’s Anson Dorrance, a list that includes such luminaries as Carla Overbeck, and Lorrie Fair.
Nikki Washington will soon be rubbing elbows with Marta as she was selected by Los Angeles Sol with the 5th pick in the draft. A fan favorite in the Palisades Nikki is sure to have her own Westside cheering section at the HDC this summer. Having also spent her college career at perennial women’s soccer power UNC, Washington should have no problem adapting to the WPS, where she may find herself going one-v-on against fellow Tar Heels Heather O’Riley, Lindsay Tarpley and Cat Whitehill.
With the 10th pick in the draft, FC Gold Pride selected Pali Blues defender, Ali Riley. In selecting the New Zealand international, FC Gold Pride have secured a versatile and tireless player with the most international experience of any player in the draft. Nothing short of a local celebrity in the Palisades, Blues fans were happy to at least keep her in the Western Time Zone. The pick does keep Riley close to her fans at Stanford, who have already grown accustomed to her scorching runs up and down the flanks.
Blues goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris was also picked up in today’s draft. With the 19th overall selection, Harris will join the St. Louis Athletica. Trying to win the Athletica starting job from US International Hope Solo will not be an easy task, but much like Brad Guzan’s understudy role to Brad Friedel at Aston Villa, the selection can only serve to benefit Harris’ development at both the club and international level.
With the dust settled, the Pali Blues now look to the future. With players leaving, now is the time for those players still here to stand up and be noticed. Who among them can enforce the backline and become the defender that no forward wants to run into? Who among the current and new crop of Blues will become the new offensive threat? Who will patrol the midfield to ensure the flow of the game? And who among them will we be writing about this time next year when it’s their turn to shine on the big stage?
Stay Tuned.
