Boston Breakers

The following is part of a weekly series in which writer Todd Civin presents the lighter side of the Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS).

The league is built based on the down-to-earth nature and approachability of its athletes. "Getting Silly with the Breakers" is a fun-filled way to create a comfortable bond between the fans and the professional athletes who are the Boston Breakers.

A special thanks to Erica Hunt, the communications director for the team, as well as the players themselves for making this approach possible.

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Though perhaps not as well known a name as some of her rookie peers entering Women's Professional Soccer this season, Boston Breakers goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, holds the distinction of being the first keeper taken in the 2010 WPS College Draft.

Truth be told, Naeher carries the honors of being the highest drafted shot stopper in WPS history to date, as the first back stop wasn't selected until the third round of the 2009 WPS draft (Karen Bardsley, Sky Blue with the 18th overall pick).

So while names like Tobin Heath, Lauren Cheney, Kelley O'Hara, and Whitney Engen may be likely to battle for Rookie of the Year honors, the pride of Seymour, Conn. can go about her business knowing that she holds a unique place in WPS history.

Assuming the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year finds a way to stop her more heralded rookie class on a regular basis, it will be she who scores the most ink.

Throughout her college, club, and International career, Naeher has proven time and again that she is up to the task and made Breakers coach Tony DiCicco's decision to select her in the first round a virtual no-brainer.

Naeher is no stranger to coach DiCicco having played under Tony while with the U-20 Women's National Team in 2007-08 and while playing for SoccerPlus Connecticut in 2008. 

And of course, Naeher was equally up to the task of handling a few Getting Silly questions, which she fielded with the skill of professional.

Todd Civin: Wikipedia lists four famous residents of Seymour, CT. Three from the 1800's and a poker player, who won $100,000 on the World Poker Tour. Do you expect to unseat any of them in the top four of Famous Seymour residents?

Alyssa Naeher: I haven’t heard of any famous people from Seymour before, I haven’t lived there very long. Maybe not unseat them, but I guess it would be pretty cool to join that list.

TC: Your school mascot at Christian Heritage was the Kingsmen. Any cries of sexism amongst the girls teams?

AN: Not really actually, we were always referred to as the Lady Kingsmen; so they made sure to differentiate for us.

TC: You and your twin sister Amanda are two of three players in your high school history to score 2000 points. Who would win in a game of HORSE and what was your signature shot?

AN: It was always pretty even actually, neither one of us really dominated in that category. My signature would probably be a three-point shot, just right of center. Simple, but effective.

TC: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream at Rich Farm Ice Cream in Seymour?

AN: I usually go with the combination of mint chocolate chip and chocolate chip cookie dough. I can never choose between the two so I just get one scoop of each.

TC: Who serves a better slice, Zoi's or Alberto's?

AN: Neither, Roma has the best slice around...hands down.

TC: Greatest single save you ever made?

AN: The save I made against France in our first game of the U-20 World Cup.

TC: Scariest thing about a penalty shot?

AN: Them only being 12 yards away, shooting a completely still ball.

TC: You won the Adidas Goldener Handscuch, do you know what that translates to?

AN: I’m going to guess the Addida Golden Glove?

TC: The trophy for that award was simply a hand, do you have any other trophies with body parts on them?

AN: Nope, just that one.

TC: Which was a greater life moment: The U-20 World Cup victory in Chile or getting drafted in the first round?

AN: I honestly can’t choose between the two. Both moments were a culmination of a lot of commitment and work and both were very unique and special moments for me. Those two moments were two of the best memories I have.

TC: Coolest place you've ever been as a result of your soccer career?

AN: Brazil; I’ve been there a few different times and have been able to see a lot of different places down there. And being able to go to the Redeemer Statue was something that was really cool.

TC: If WPS rookies had to shave their heads, would you participate?

AN: If it was for a good cause I would think about it.

TC: You attended Penn State, who is more recognized on campus, you or Joe Paterno?

AN: Definitely Joe Pa. He is a Penn State icon and I have yet to meet a person on campus who hasn’t recognized him.

TC: You were in net in 1904 of 1934 minutes this season for Penn State. What happened in those 30 minutes, too tired?

AN: Those 30 minutes were to reward our backup goalkeeper, Kristin Hartmann. She worked hard all year and she deserved to get some minutes to show for that hard work, so we were able to take advantage of some leads and get her some game experience that will help her for the future.

TC: Any wagers between you and former teammate, Katie Shoepfer, headed into the season?

AN: No, not yet.  We just both want to see each other do well.

TC: You and Tiffany Weimer are both Penn State grads, Soccer Plus players and now Breaker teammates, can't get enough of each other?

AN: I never got a chance to play with Tiff at Penn State, she graduated the year before I got there. But it was a lot of fun to play with her for SoccerPlus and I’m definitely really excited to be teammates again in Boston, now at the professional level.

TC: Weirdest pre-game ritual?

AN: I don’t really have any pregame rituals that I have to do before every game, I’m not really a superstitious person.

TC: Does it get lonely as a keeper and do you ever wish your uniform matched the others?

AN: Not really, I always try to keep myself as engaged in the game as possible. It doesn’t bother me that I don’t match the other uniforms, I actually kinda like that mine is different. TC

Todd Civin is a freelance writer who writes for Bleacher Report, Sports, Then and Now, and Seamheads. He also shares his top stories on his blog The 'xoxo' of Sports. He is a supporter of Team Hoyt, the father/son marathon and triathlon team of Dick and Rick Hoyt. He encourages you to support their movement of "Yes, I Can" by visiting their Web site at www.teamhoyt.com

A funny (not funny, ha, ha but funny unusual) thing happened to Boston Breakers forward Jennifer Nobis on the way to her second season in Women's Professional Soccer. The former Missouri standout tore her ACL two weeks ago while jogging.

That's right, jogging. A professional athlete, who can simultaneously juggle a round sphere while texting on her Droid Touch and flossing her teeth, tore her ACL while jogging.

Not to poke fun at the affable forward from Quincy, Ill., but I think this is the comedic equivalent of Dick Van Dyke flipping over his ottoman as he enters his living room at the start of each show. 

Visions of Lucille Ball stuffing her bosom with chocolates or slurring her words while drunk on Vitameatavegamin. Now that's funny. A pro-athlete tearing their ACL while jogging? Not so much.

I caught up with "J-NO" following her surgery and for some reason expected the usually upbeat and always entertaining Nobis to have strayed from her "glass is half full" ways.

To be wallowing in self pity. Crying in her beer.

I envisioned her hair matted to her post operative head, some dried-up drool on her chin and her hospital gown pinned closed with a safety pin while she played the world's smallest violin and shared sob stories about the detour her career has taken as a result of her unfortunate twist of fate .

I quickly realized, however, that simply isn't Nobis' style. The notorious life of the party and half of the famed Breakers comedy team of Latham (teammate Christine) and Nobis was quick to share her "laughter is the best medicine" philosophy during an email Q and A with yours truly. 

In the spirit of the "Getting Silly" series that the Breakers players have graciously cooperated in putting together with me, I am pleased to present a special edition of Getting Silly Post-Op with "J-NO".

Todd Civin: Was your surgery a success?

Jennifer Nobis: I still have a leg, so, yes for now.

TC: What was the most difficult part about the surgery?

JNO: My surgery was at 4 p.m. on Wednesday and they told me to stop eating and drinking at midnight on Tuesday. Don't doctors understand athletes LOVE TO EAT EVERY HOUR OF THE DAY? I was so hungry that I have never seen myself so moody before hahah !

TC: What are your goals for recovery?

JNO: To be in for treatment every day until I get better! I will even be doing my own rehab at the house. You never can do too many straight leg raises. Also, in two weeks my stitches come out so I will be in the pool twice a day, five days a week
to keep my endurance and cardio up. Crazy, I know!

TC: Did you get ice cream after your surgery?

JNO: Immediately after surgery I went to McDonald's and had a chocolate milk shake with my meal!

TC: Where should fans send their Get Well cards and letters?

JNO: If they have money in the cards, send them directly to my house. If they d on't you can send them to the Breakers headquarters.

TC: When do you hope to get back on the field?

JNO: Dating field or Game field?  As soon as I can!

TC: Will you be able to participate with the team at all during your recovery?

JNO: Yeah, laughing at them while they are all dying through preseason. In all honesty, I will try and participate as much as possible. I'll be at every practice being the annoying positive go-getter on the sideline and being their biggest fan! Go Breakers!

TC: How was your experience with the hospital gown?

JNO: All I have to say is I hope people enjoy my backside!

TC: And the bathrooms? Were they to your liking?

JNO: Very clean and sterile, until I peed on the seat because my brace wouldn't
allow my leg to bend.

TC: Were there any cute doctors?

JNO: I saw many cute doctors, but I was on drugs, so you never know if I had my
"pill goggles" on.

TC: Did the other patients get annoyed with the line of fans and visitors outside of your hospital door?

JNO: I don't know, Todd. You are my No. 1 stalker. Were the guests mad when
you and the other fans were outside my door?

And then she flipped over the ottoman. TC

About Nobis :

Jennifer Nobis will begin blogging during her rehab and posting about life on and off the field at Connect World Football. CWF is a football agency that specializes in representing the active female football players.

"We work with uncompromising integrity through our global network to provide talented, ambitious, high-quality female football players the ability to further pursue their professional career, and to maximize their professional experience."

Todd Civin is a freelance writer who writes for Bleacher Report, Sports, Then and Now, and Seamheads. He also shares his top stories on his blog The 'xoxo' of Sports. He is a supporter of Team Hoyt, the father/son marathon and triathlon team of Dick and Rick Hoyt.

He encourages you to support their movement of "Yes, I Can" by visiting their Web site at www.teamhoyt.com.

The Boston Breakers and Women’s Professional Soccer unveiled its 2010 regular-season schedule, a slate that sees each of the eight teams playing a 24-game schedule, with 12 home and 12 away matches beginning April 10 and ending September 12.
 
The Breakers will be featured on WPS’ broadcast partner, Fox Soccer Channel on six occasions, three times at home and three on the road, as part of FSC’s weekly “WPS Sunday on FSC” telecast. The team’s regional broadcast schedule will be announced in the near future.

The Breakers will face FC Gold Pride (Bay Area, CA), Philadelphia Independence, and Sky Blue FC (NJ) four times each during the regular season, and the remaining four clubs three times each. Games will primarily be played on weekends, although the Breakers will have two Wednesday night games with a July 21 match against FC Gold Pride as the only Wednesday at home. The hope is that the reduction in weekday games will help attendance.

After opening the season on the road against the Washington Freedom on April 10, the Boston Breakers will play their home opener on April 18 against the Philadelphia Independence, a 2010 WPS expansion team. 

Among the schedules other highlights, the Breakers will travel to defending WPS champion Sky Blue FC on May 29 before playing them at Harvard Stadium on June 13 and August 15. 

The Breakers make their first-ever visit to Atlanta to face new league entrant the Atlanta Beat on August 7 in Kennesaw, GA, the home of the first new stadium build specifically for WPS. Prior to a three-game road trip to close out the 2010 regular season, the Breakers will cap the team’s home slate on August 21 against the Atlanta Beat.

The 2010 WPS schedule features one bye weekend, May 22-23 for national team commitments and 2011 Women’s World Cup qualifying games.

With the release of the 2010 schedule, Boston Breakers family four packs and single game tickets will go on sale for all home games on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 9:00 a.m.  Single game ticket prices range from $15, $20 and $27 and four packs begin at just $69.  The Breakers will be running a “Boot Up for 2010” sales promotion on the opening day of single-game sales on Wednesday, Feb. 24, between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. 

Every 10th ticket order during the Boot Up promotion will receive an autographed PUMA cleat signed by a 2010 Breakers player of the customer’s choice. Tickets will be available over the phone at 781-251-2100 and online at www.bostonbreakers.com.  Fans who purchase online will be able to print their tickets at home.

In addition, Breakers group tickets are now on sale for all home games.  All groups of 20 of more fans are able to enjoy discounted ticket prices, with savings ranging from $5 - $7 per seat.  In addition, the Breakers will offer two half-price group nights in 2010, with group seats starting as low as $5 each.  Half-price group nights will be on Sunday, July 18, against the Washington Freedom and Sunday, August 15, against Sky Blue FC.  Call the Breakers ticket department at 781-251-2100 for group sales information.

Are You In for 2010? Boston Breakers Memberships – which include tickets to all 12 regular-season home games are on sale now.  Call 781-251-2100 or visit bostonbreakers.com for more information.

2010 BOSTON BREAKERS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

APRIL

Sat. 10 at Washington Freedom (Boyds, MD) 7:00 p.m.

*Sun. 18 vs Philadelphia Independence (Cambridge, MA) 6:00 p.m.

*Sun. 25 at Saint Louis Athletica (Fenton, MO) 6:00 p.m.


MAY

Sat. 1 vs Chicago Red Stars (Cambridge, MA) 6:00 p.m.

Sat. 8 at Washington Freedom (Boyds, MD) 7:00 p.m.

Fri. 14 vs FC Gold Pride (Cambridge, MA) 7:30 p.m.

Sat. 29 at Sky Blue FC (Piscataway, NJ) 7:00 p.m.

JUNE

Sat. 5 vs Saint Louis Athletica (Cambridge, MA) 6:00 p.m.

Sun. 13 vs Sky Blue FC (Cambridge, MA) 4:00 p.m.

Sat. 19 at FC Gold Pride (East Bay, CA) 10:00 p.m.

Fri. 25 vs Chicago Red Stars (Cambridge, MA) 7:30 p.m.


JULY

Sun. 4 at Philadelphia Independence (West Chester, PA) 4:00 p.m.

Sun. 11 vs Atlanta Beat (Cambridge, MA) 4:00 p.m.

*Sun. 18 vs Washington Freedom (Cambridge, MA) 5:00 p.m.

Wed. 21 vs FC Gold Pride (East Bay, CA) 7:00 p.m.

Sun. 25 at Chicago Red Stars (Bridgeview, IL) 4:00 p.m.

Sat. 31 vs Philadelphia Independence (Cambridge, MA) 6:00 p.m.


AUGUST

Sat. 7 at Atlanta Beat (Kennesaw, GA) 7:00 p.m.

Wed. 11 at Saint Louis Athletica (Fenton, MO) 8:10

*Sun. 15 vs Sky Blue FC (Cambridge, MA) 6:00 p.m.

Sat. 21 vs Atlanta Beat (Home – site TBD) TBD

*Sun. 29 at Philadelphia Independence (West Chester, PA) 6:00 p.m.

SEPTEMBER

*Sun. 5 at FC Gold Pride (East Bay, CA) TBD

Sun. 12 at Sky Blue FC (Piscataway, NJ) 7:00 p.m.

All times are Eastern Standard.  Schedule subject to change.  Home matches are played at Harvard Stadium unless otherwise noted.

*Fox Soccer Channel Games

About Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS)

Headquartered in San Francisco, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) is the world’s premier soccer league for women with eight teams across the United States featuring the best players from around the world. WPS completed its inaugural season in August 2009 as Sky Blue FC of New Jersey became the first-ever WPS Champions.

In 2010, eight teams will each play 24-game schedules from April 10-September 12 including six original WPS teams—Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Gold Pride (Bay Area), Saint Louis Athletica, Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY), and Washington Freedom – and two expansion teams Atlanta Beat and Philadelphia Independence. The top four finishers in the regular season will qualify for the 2010 WPS Playoffs scheduled for September 19-26. For more information, visit the WPS official website at www.womensprosoccer.com or follow all the news at www.twitter.com/womensprosoccer.

The information for the previous story was furnished by a press release from
Erica Hunt, Boston Breakers Director of Communication.

The following is part of a weekly series in which writer Todd Civin presents the lighter side of the Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS).

The league is built based on the down-to-earth nature and approachability of its athletes. "Getting Silly with the Breakers" is a fun-filled way to create a comfortable bond between the fans and the professional athletes who are the Boston Breakers.

A special thanks to Erica Hunt, the communications director for the team, as well as the players themselves for making this approach possible.

---

Together with fellow WPS rookie, Tobin Heath, and rookie emeritus, Amy Rodriguez, they've been affectionately referred to as the New Kids of the Women's National Team.

After you watch the following Youtube video featuring the affable trio, you may be tempted to rename them Curly, Larry and Moe. The Three Stooges of the WPS represent the new face of Women's Professional Soccer and each promise to not only make an immediate impact to their respective teams this season, but also share the light hearted and approachable personality that Women's Professional Soccer is trying to project.

Cheney, the number two selection in the recent WPS college draft out of UCLA, was not only the first player in UCLA history to earn NSCAA All-America honors all four years of her college career, but is also the first rookie to be subjected to one of my Getting Silly interviews. 

If the 2008 Olympic Gold medalist from Indianapolis can handle feeds from Lilly, Smith and Osborne, with the same skill that she handled my series of random questions, it looks like she will represent the face of Breakers soccer long after the wet behind her ears dries.  

Todd Civin: What is the first place you want to see in Boston?

Lauren Cheney: I have a little bit of a shopping problem, so I have heard I want to check out Newbury Street.

TC: As a native of Indiana, can we expect you to change allegiances and become a Patriots Fan?

LC: Although I am not a huge football fan, NEVER will I go to the dark side. Go Colts!

TC: Who is a better QB, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning?

LC: Peyton is unreal. He is not only the best quarterback but he plays for a pretty great city.

TC: (The previous question was asked and responded to before Peyton spit the bit in the Super Bowl.)

TC: Will there be any off field wagering between you Heath and A-Rod?

LC: Maybe for a trip to Coffee Bean.

TC: Rumor has it the three of you are envious of each other. Is there any
truth to that?

LC: Envious? Well I really do like the shirt Tobin just got and Arod has a pretty nice bag that I want. Good thing they are two of my best friends.

TC: Share your nicknames with us .

LC: Chain, Chain-dog, Che are the ones I hear from my teammates, but at home I am known as Lo.

TC: Favorite sports movie of all time?

LC: I love "Remember the Titans" but "Love and Basketball" would be a close second.

TC: Which leading male actor do you find to be more your type, Dwight Schrute or Michael Scott?

LC: Dwight Schrute for sure. I am actually hoping he sees this.

TC: As a child did you eat the crust or cut it off?

LC: I think I ate the crust. My love for food has never changed.

TC: Favorite fattening desert?

LC: Ice Cream!

TC: Oldest childhood friend and something that bothers you about her?

LC: My oldest childhood friend is Jessica Stevens. We grew up together since we were six years old. The one thing that drives me crazy about her is that she is still in Indianapolis and not with me.

TC: You went to Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis. Who is Ben Davis?

LC: Funny you ask. I actually have no clue. Someone asked me that the other day and I thought that maybe I should look into that. Still haven't gotten around to it.

TC: On a serious note, you had open heart surgery when you were three. How scary was that? Did you get ice cream?

LC: I did have surgery when I was three but I don't really remember it being scary for me. Thankfully, I have very strong and supportive parents because I am sure it was terrifying for them. I'm sure I got ice cream. I was pretty spoiled.

TC: You helped lead your high school basketball team to an undefeated season
as a sophomore guard and were selected all conference twice, are you sure you selected the right sport?

LC: I LOVE basketball, but my first passion has always been soccer. I still play basketball any chance I get. Anyone want to play pick up in Boston?

TC: You were the consensus number one recruit coming out of high school, but selected only number two in the WPS draft, what caused your game to slip?

LC: Seriously? I was trying to figure that out also. Maybe the California sun and the beautiful beach took up too much of my time.

TC: Who really should have won the M.A.C. Herman Trophy?

LC: Kelley O'Hara for sure. I think she had more points then Tobin and I combined. She is a stud.

TC: How much fun was it to appear in the PUMA/WPS fashion show?

LC: The fashion show was great. I could have done without the makeup, but dancing and running around with some pretty awesome girls was a blast.

TC: Do you believe in rookie hazing and would you consider shaving your head to become a Breaker?

LC: Coming out of college hazing is absolutely not acceptable. Don't get me wrong I am excited for Boston, but I don't know how excited they would be for me with a shaved head.

TC: Did you learn any Chinese while playing in the Olympics?

LC: Ni Hao (translates to hello) :)

Todd Civin is a freelance writer who writes for Bleacher Report, Sports, Then and Now, and Seamheads. He also shares his top stories on his blog The 'xoxo' of Sports. He is a supporter of Team Hoyt, the father/son marathon and triathlon team of Dick and Rick Hoyt. He encourages you to support their movement of "Yes, I Can" by visiting their Web site at www.teamhoyt.com

"LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and my life is fleeting away....... Psalm 119:19

That's the Psalm that Boston Breakers' forward Jennifer Nobis has posted on her Facebook page. Ironically, the saying not only speaks of her philosophy of life but also coincides with the number she wears on the back of her blue and white Breaker jersey.

Though (Lord willing), Nobis, age 25, still has a long time left on earth in her future, her life as a professional soccer hit a speed bump after she suffered a complete tear of her right ACL.   

After trying to appear optimistic during a February 3rd Twitter session ("It could be worse...Positive thinking..MRI tomorrow"), Nobis tweeted her worst fears 24 hours later when she tweeted, "Out for the season."

"It is what it is," explained the affable Breakers' star, who scored two goals in her eleven games last season with Boston. "I had all my weight on my right leg and I was jogging. I just went to shift my weight and my left knee popped and gave out on me. It was so weird! But I knew immediately what I did!"

Nobis, a 2006 graduate from Missouri, played this off-season for Pitea IF in Sweden's top league (Damallsvenskan). She also played in Sweden in 2008 for Umeå Södra FF in the Damallsvenskan league. 

Known as much for her great attitude and her quick wit as she is for her scoring prowess, Nobis will be missed both on and off the field on Coach Tony DiCicco's Breaker squad.

"I am a very fast healer and I have a great attitude about the recovery process, so that's a good start. When Latham (teammate Christine) heard about my misfortune she called me and wanted to cry with me. Weird to think that the two hard-asses were about to cry."

Nobis, a native of Quincy, IL hopes to stay in Boston during the recovery process to keep her spirits as well as the spirits of her teammates high.

"I am staying around the team for sure so she (Latham) can get me through this rough time. She always makes jokes, but also there is a lot of seriousness in them as well, so it helps me through!"

"There is obviously lots of talk with the coaches and my agent to figure out what is next. I think I'll still be with the team and hang out. Everyone needs a little JNO in there life."

Todd Civin is a freelance writer who writes for Bleacher Report, Sports, Then and Now, and Seamheads. He also shares his top stories on his blog The 'xoxo' of Sports. He is a supporter of Team Hoyt, the father/son marathon and triathlon team of Dick and Rick Hoyt. He encourages you to support their movement of "Yes, I Can" by visiting their Web site at www.teamhoyt.com

While all eyes were on Thursday's WPS Dispersal Draft, the Boston Breakers snuck two guests in the back door with their signing of International star forward Laura Del Rio and the re-signing of Brazilian forward Fabiana.
 
The Breakers agreed to terms with Del Rio after her negotiating rights were acquired from the Los Angeles Sol for a third round draft pick in the 2010 WPS Draft. The 27-year-old Spanish forward joins the Breakers after playing for FFC Frankfurt in Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga league, where she has notched six goals this season.

No stranger to the American pitch, Del Rio played for FC Indiana of the W-League for the past two seasons.  In 2008, Del Rio was FC Indiana’s top scorer with 15 goals and 13 assists, leading her team to the W-League Central Conference Championship.

In her 2009 campaign, the Spanish striker was first in the league with 18 goals and four assists and was named to the 2009 W-League All-League Team and the 2009 All-Central Conference Team.  With Del Rio’s help, FC Indiana went on to win the Midwest Division.

Del Rio began her career with Spanish club Levante, making her debut at the age of 17.  She has made 30 appearances for the Spanish Women’s National Team scoring 12 goals.

It had long been rumored that Fabiana would be making her way back north to join the Breakers for her second season. Yesterday's announcement made it all official. 

Last season, she arrived in Boston in early May and spent the first few months of the 2009 season rehabbing an ACL injury she suffered while playing for her club team in Brazil.  Fabiana made her WPS debut on July 12, 2009 against Sky Blue FC.  She recorded 480 minutes of playing time in the Breakers’ last seven matches, starting in each contest.

“Fabiana worked hard last season rehabbing from her ACL injury and earned the chance to play late in the season,” said head coach Tony DiCicco.  “Both myself and the entire team are looking for a healthy Fabiana to really give the Breakers an offensive boost.  She is one of the young, and up and coming stars of world soccer.” 

The 20-year-old Fabiana originally was drafted by the Breakers with the second pick in the second round (ninth overall) in the 2009 WPS International Draft.

Fabiana played on Brazil's 2008 silver medal-winning Olympic team in Beijing.  She came on as a substitute in both Brazil’s crucial semifinal and final matches against Germany and the United States, respectively.  She scored a pair of goals for Brazil during the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.

Prior to joining the Breakers, she played for Corinthians FC in Brazil. She scored six goals for Corinthians during the 2008 season prior to suffering a season-ending injury in the Brazilian Paulista Championship in October 2008. Prior to Corinthians, Fabiana played for Sport Huelva FC in Spain.

With the return of Fabiana, the Breakers have retained 11 players from last season's roster (Fabiana, Christine Latham, Amy LePeilbet, Kristine Lilly, Allison Lipsher, Mary-Frances Monroe, Kasey Moore, Jennifer Nobis, Alex Scott, Kelly Smith, and Maggie Tomecka).

The eleven Breaker veterans are expected to be joined by off-season acquisitions Leslie Osborne and Tiffany Weimer, who both played for the FC Gold Pride last season, as well as, Stephanie Cox and Michelle Enyeart, who were selected in yesterday's dispersal draft.

Nine players from the 2010 college draft including first round selections, Lauren Cheney and Alyssa Naeher, will also be competing for roster spots on the 2010 Breaker squad.

About Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS)

Headquartered in San Francisco, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) is the world’s premier soccer league for women with eight teams across the United States featuring the best players from around the world. WPS completed its inaugural season in August 2009 as Sky Blue FC of New Jersey became the first-ever WPS Champions. In 2010, eight teams will each play 24-game schedules from April 10-September 12 including six original WPS teams – Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Gold Pride (Bay Area), Saint Louis Athletica, Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY) and Washington Freedom – and two expansion teams Atlanta Beat and Philadelphia Independence.

The top four finishers in the regular season will qualify for the 2010 WPS Playoffs scheduled for September 19-26. For more information, visit the WPS official website at www.womensprosoccer.com or follow all the news at www.twitter.com/womensprosoccer .

Boston Breakers' coach Tony DiCicco drafted U.S. Women’s National Team defender Stephanie Cox, and recent college draft pick Michelle Enyeart, during the Women's Professional Soccer Dispersal Draft today.

Both Cox and Enyeart are graduates of the University of Portland, where they were teammates during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. The two expected to be playing together again on the West Coast prior to the WPS' announcement that the Los Angeles Sol would discontinue operations last week, but will instead pack their bags and head east as teammates for the Breakers.

With a left back position vacant following Heather Mitts' departure to the Philadelphia Independence during the offseason, the Breakers selected Cox in the first round as the fifth overall selection.

“Cox is a world-class defender and one of the most experienced backs in the world,” said DiCicco.  “She will be a good addition to the Breakers not just defensively, but also offensively.”

Last season for the Sol, Cox started all of the 19 games she played in. As a U.S. National Team player she has recorded 54 international appearances since her first call-up in 2005 for the Algarve Cup. 

She was one of the youngest members of the 2008 Olympic team and assisted on Carli Lloyd’s game winning goal in the USA’s victory over Japan in Beijing. 

A 2008 graduate from Portland, Cox helped the Pilots win a National Championship in 2005, the same year she was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team. In 2005, she was named WCC Defender of the Year, NSCAA First Team All-American, and First Team All-WCC.

In the second round of the dispersal draft, the Breakers attained the rights to Enyeart, who was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Sol with the third pick in the second round (14th overall) of the 2010 WPS Draft held January 15, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pa.

The All-American forward scored 13 goals with 12 assists for the Pilots this fall before going down with a season-ending knee injury in the final regular season game. The Hemet, Calif. native finished her University of Portland career as the No. 4 scorer in school history and was one of only three players in program history with more than 40 goals and 40 assists during her career. 

Enyeart played for DiCicco on the U.S. U-20 World Championship team and was their leading scorer. Prior to her injury, many experts had Enyeart pegged as a first round selection in the college draft. 

Enyeart will join fellow 2010 first round picks, Lauren Cheney and Alyssa Naeher, who will all be competing for spots on DiCicco's 2010 roster.

“Michelle has tremendous speed and attacking instincts and can score goals,” said DiCicco. “She is currently recovering from a very serious knee injury and will be an exciting player for the Boston Breakers in the future.”

About Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS)

Headquartered in San Francisco, Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) is the world’s premier soccer league for women with eight teams across the United States featuring the best players from around the world. WPS completed its inaugural season in August 2009 as Sky Blue FC of New Jersey became the first-ever WPS Champions. In 2010, eight teams will each play 24-game schedules from April 10-September 12 including six original WPS teams—Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, FC Gold Pride (Bay Area), Saint Louis Athletica, Sky Blue FC (NJ/NY) and Washington Freedom—and two expansion teams Atlanta Beat and Philadelphia Independence.

The top four finishers in the regular season will qualify for the 2010 WPS Playoffs scheduled for September 19-26. For more information, visit the WPS official website at the WPS site or follow all the news on Twitter at www.twitter.com/womensprosoccer.

The following is part of a weekly series in which writer Todd Civin presents the lighter side of the Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer (WPS).

The league is built based on the down-to-earth nature and approachability of its athletes. "Getting Silly with the Breakers" is a fun-filled way to create a comfortable bond between the fans and the professional athletes who are the Boston Breakers.

A special thanks to Erica Hunt, the communications director for the team, as well as the players themselves for making this approach possible.

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For those who have followed the ongoing series entitled, Getting Silly...I assume you have noticed my frequent attempts at humor as a vehicle to break down the professional athletes from the Boston Breakers.

In each episode, I've tried to use my relatively dry sense of humor to get playful with the ladies from the WPS who make Harvard Stadium their home. My goal has been to pick on a character trait of each player and poke a little fun, strike a nerve, pick a scab. So, when I wrote about Alex Scott who hails from Britain, I of course used the Monty Python motif, and when sharing an interview with Kasey Moore who went to school in Texas, I predictably went with the cowgirl spoof.

In each case, the athlete being featured played back with me but ultimately became victim to sarcasm and buckled under the pressure of my Gitmo-like interview techniques.

And then I met Alli Lipsher, goal keeper for the Breakers. Born and raised in Honolulu, Lipsher needed to wade through an array of hula girls, Don Ho, Hawaii-5-0, and more. Since this is a family show, I did stop short of any jokes containing the word lei.

Well if I can dish it out, I gotta be able to take it, and to my surprise Lipsher matched me barb for barb and jab for jab like one of Vince McMahon's Diva's from the WWE. Every time I threw an uppercut, Lipsher ducked.  Each time I threw a roundhouse, Lipsher got me in a sleeper hold.

I'm not sure if it is due to all the time she spends by her lonesome as keeper for the Breakers or her passion for mowing grass skirts, but Lipsher had me at Aloha, while spewing pineapple juice out my nose with each of her pithy answers. 

So sit back, put down your ukelele, and enjoy Alli Lipsher, the subject of this week's "Getting Silly with The Breakers" interview.

Todd Civin: You were born and raised in Hawaii, can you hula?

Ali Lipsher: Not even a little bit, but I did ride dolphins to school and we just got flushing toilets in our huts.

TC: Have you ever been to the Hukilau Cafe from the movie 50 First Dates?

AL: Nope, but keep the stereotypes coming!

TC: Which has better surfing: Haleiwa or the Charles?

AL: Depends if you're on a surfboard or a sailboat. Oh, wait. No it doesn't. Haleiwa.

TC: Do you ever feel left out since your uniform doesn't match the rest of the team? Any thoughts why the goalie uniform is different?

AL: Yes I've actually written a couple of letters to the commissioner expressing my feelings of loneliness due to the fact that our uniforms are different. She hasn't gotten back to me yet. I guess she's busy. I think the uniforms are different because the sport recognizes the fact that keepers are pretty special people and anyone who watches the sport should be made aware of that fact. The WPS was nice enough to
highlight this by putting us in bright pinks and yellows.

TC: Your WPS bio states that if you weren't playing soccer, you'd like to be a stunt woman. Is that what you studied at Duke?

AL: There may or may not have been a few attempts at stunt woman-like activities. I can't really go into specifics. One of my earliest memories is me deciding I could fly and jumping face-first off a wall when my aunt was watching me. I was about three-years- old and she thought she had killed me. I still think the flying part was fine; it was just the landing that went awry.

TC: Did the Cameron crazies ever attend the Lady Blue Devils' soccer games?

AL: I wish. They are pretty crazy. I think I attended more basketball games than they did soccer games. We still had some pretty rowdy fans, though.

TC: Your favorite Cameron Crazies chant?

AL: Hmmmm. Pretty much anything against UNC. Like when they would chant "Tar
Heels," we'd correct the end of the cheer by reminding them it was "Tar Holes."

TC: Can you spell the name of Duke's basketball coach without looking it up?

AL: Kreanmfskdufnsdlfsky. I'm pretty sure that's spot on.

TC: Best dancer ever on "So You Think you Can Dance?"

AL: Sabra and Neal's table dance to "Sweet Dreams". No question about it. Maybe I'll do a reenactment of it at a halftime show this year. See if they can work that into my contract.

TC: Your oddest pre-game ritual?

AL: Is oddest a word?

TC: Coolest place you've been as a result of being a professional soccer player?

AL: I'm from Hawaii. Nuff said.

TC: Most fluke goal you've ever allowed?

AL: Every goal is a fluke. Ha ha. The one against Sky Blue this year was not good. I was WAY out of position. I think they replayed me hitting the post out of frustration about a million times. Thanks a lot FOX Soccer.

TC: What was the name of the mascot at Punahou High?

AL: Ha, ha, We don't have a mascot; we have colors and a tree. The colors are
buff (read: gold/yellow) and blue, and the tree is the hala tree.

TC: Your favorite condiment is ketchup. What is the most unusual food you use it on?

AL: Cold macaroni and cheese and ketchup is pretty amazing. Don't knock it 'till you try it.

TC: Heinz or Hunts?

AL: Uh, Heinz. Duh?

TC: You hold the Duke record for not allowing a goal in 603.33 minutes. Will the record ever be broken, and what word did you say when you finally allowed one behind you?

AL: I'm sure it'll be broken, and I probably said something like shucks...or something along those lines.

TC: You were the 2004 Gatorade Player of the Year. What is your favorite Gatorade flavor?

AL: Orange G2.

TC: Who is your soccer idol?

AL: You.

TC: If there was an Allison Lipsher Fan Club, what would it be called?

AL: Probably something like the Allison Lipsher Fan Club.

Todd Civin is a freelance writer who writes for Bleacher Report, Sports, Then and Now, and Seamheads. He also shares his top stories on his blog The 'xoxo' of Sports. He is a supporter of Team Hoyt, the father/son marathon and triathlon team of Dick and Rick Hoyt. He encourages you to support their movement of "Yes, I Can" by visiting their Web site at www.teamhoyt.com

Five days have passed since the shocking announcement that Women's Professional Soccer had decided to close up the shop of the Los Angeles Sol after only one season, due to AEG's failure to commit to the long-term success of the team.

Feeling a wee bit like Kübler-Ross, I've experienced each of the five stages of grief. Though clearly not to the level of the players themselves, who have to pull up their stakes and call a new place their home, I too have wrestled with my share of shock, denial, anger, bargaining and acceptance as a result of the league's loss. Such is life in the business of sports, but as a fan of the league it doesn't make it any easier to accept.

As a passionate lover of the sport and a true believer in the success of the WPS, I've found myself looking for a silver lining. As the Beatles sing in their song, All Things Must Pass , I too was looking for a way to come to grips with the failure of the Sol's ownership.

"Sunrise doesn't last all morning
A cloudburst doesn't last all day
Seems my love is up
And has left you with no warning
But it's not always going
To be this grey"

So, while fighting the urge to kick AEG in their figurative groin or starting to gather names for a boycott of the numerous places that AEG has their greedy little mitts, I decided to connect with my peeps at the Boston Breakers and grieve, grow, and heal together while mourning the loss of one of the league's children.  

I connected with a trio from my ever growing Rolodex of people associated with the Breakers, as I hoped to engage in my real life game of "Misery Loves Company." After spending some time speaking to midfielder, Maggie Tomecka, communications director Erica Hunt, and coach Tony DiCicco, my half empty cup suddenly transformed to a glass that was full to overflowing. 

Though obviously not overjoyed by the loss of the leagues's marquis team, Tomecka, DiCicco and Hunt were quick to remind me that "Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it," as they each had spun the news in a very positive and optimistic way that left me feeling a whole lot better.

"When I heard the news", explained Tomecka, "I felt grateful to be part of an organization like the Boston Breakers. The Breakers management and staff have worked so hard to keep our team successful, and I am thankful for that."

Tomecka, a graduate of UNC who appeared in eleven games for the Breakers last season, explained that the loss of the Sol is clearly not a foreshadowing of an impending failure of the league.

"Despite losing LA, it’s important to remember the league is still growing with eight teams in 2010, one more than last year," she added. "I don’t think this has anything to do with how the league itself is doing."

"That is the difference between the former WUSA and the new WPS. In the WPS, each team is an individual franchise, so if one team cannot make ends meet, it won’t
affect the success of the league."

Hunt, who is responsible for responsible for the team's media relations, public relations, and new media initiatives, stated a similar sentiment,

"Obviously it is unfortunately to lose a team after one year, but we (and the league) are very optimistic for 2010. WPS still has more teams than in its Inaugural Season.  This will allow us to have a more balanced schedule over the course of the regular season.  We don’t need bye weekends and hopefully no more Wednesday games in Boston."

The graduate from Endicott college and former account executive for the Breakers, was quick to remind Boston fans that despite the loss of their cross-country rival, there is lots to look forward to if you're a Breaker fan.

"We look forward to the dispersal draft next week and some of the new talent we can add to an already exciting roster for this season, which will include the addition of Leslie Osborne, Lauren Cheney, Alyssa Naeher, Tiffany Weimer."

She added, "Our team is looking forward to playing Philadelphia and Atlanta, and more specifically playing in Atlanta at the new stadium, which is the first ever to be build specifically for a WPS team."

Like any good manager of people, Coach DiCicco had communicated the events to his team via an email, which assured the players about the continued strength of the league.

"It might be initially hard to survive this but if you look at things realistically, we have one more team than we did last year, explained DiCicco. "No, we don't want to lose anyone, but the fact that the league can deal with that and move forward is a positive."

DiCicco added that from a scheduling standpoint it is actually better to have eight teams as opposed to nine.

"From a technical point the schedule is better. There are no byes, we play every weekend. There are going to be a lot of positives. And I fully expect to see the team back in the league in the future."

For the present moment, the league and it's eight remaining teams will participate in the Dispersal Draft of the Sol's players, which will take place on Thursday afternoon. With top players including veterans of last year's inaugural season, Marta, Shannon Boxx, Brittany Bock and Karina LeBlanc, as well as, recent draft picks, including Nikki Washington, Casey Nogueria and Kirsten Dallstream all looking to find a new home, the remaining teams are licking their collective chops in anticipation of adding to their already talented rosters.

"Marta is an expensive player," fantasized Tomecka. "It will be interesting to see where she ends up. LA has so many great players it’s hard to say who would be my top choice."

"Shannon Boxx is one of the best players in the world right now. She will be an
incredible addition wherever she ends up. I would also love to pick up a few
more UNC girls", added the former Tar Heel.

She continued, "The quality of play will continue to be great.  There are so many excellent college players joining the league, and with each team picking up a few LA players, the level can really only get better."

Todd Civin is a freelance writer who writes for Bleacher Report, Sports, Then and Now, and Seamheads. He also shares his top stories on his blog The 'xoxo' of Sports. He is a supporter of Team Hoyt, the father/son marathon and triathlon team of Dick and Rick Hoyt. He encourages you to support their movement of "Yes, I Can" by visiting their Web site at www.teamhoyt.com

In a real-life example of extending a hand to a friend in need, Women's Professional Soccer has stepped forward to help soccer legend, Michelle Akers.

Akers, a long-time member of the US Women's National Team and member of the Soccer Hall of Fame, had her horse farm severely damaged by unprecedented levels of rain last September.

In an effort to off-set the nearly $50,000 in damages sustained at Michelle Akers Horse Rescue (MAHR), Women's Professional Soccer is auctioning off four game day items from it's Inaugural 2009 WPS season.

The items, which are being auctioned on Ebay, include:

•    A signed inaugural WPS Championship Game PUMA Match Ball from the 2009 WPS Champions Sky Blue FC. This authentic match ball is signed by all 11 starters, including Natasha Kai, Christie Rampone, and Heather O’Reilly.

•    A signed WPS PUMA Match Ball from the Inaugural WPS All-Star Game presented by U.S. Coast Guard. Player autographs include Marta, Abby Wambach, Cristiane, Hope Solo, and other members of the 2009 WPS All-Star Team.

•    A signed Washington Freedom authentic game day jersey featuring 20 signatures from the third place finishers in the regular season, including Sonia Bompastor, who led the league in assists in 2009 and Abby Wambach, who was second in the league with most goals scored.

•    A signed Boston Breakers authentic game day jersey featuring 22 signatures including Kristine Lilly, Heather Mitts, Alex Scott, and Kelly Smith.

To bid on eBay, click here for the WPS Auction to Benefit MAHR . The auction will continue until Thursday, February 4th. All money raised from these items will be donated to the Michelle Akers Horse Rescue & Outreach, Inc. an established 501(c)3.

MAHR was founded by Akers "to protect, heal, and provide a happy home to hurting, unwanted, and problem horses." Flooding, which followed intense rain storms, severely damaged the Powder Springs, GA farm and required that horses be moved to nearby stables as temporary quarters.

Akers, for whom the Michelle Akers Player of the Year Award is named, contemplated selling her personal collection of memorabilia to defray expenses before the WPS and others came to her aid. Her former coach, Tony DiCicco, as well as, GM Andy Crossley of Boston Breakers, also made personal donations towards the fundraising efforts.

(AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)