FC Gold Pride 2010 WPS Champions!!!

Gold Pride finished the WPS Championship just as they finished the regular season CAMPEONES!! (That's "champions" for my non-Spanish speaking readers ;-)) FC Gold Pride defeated the Philadelphia Independence 4-0 to win the 2010 WPS Championship!!

Was an early game, 11:30am start, in 80+ degree weather at Pioneer Stadium, but a great one for the Pride! With over 5,000 fans!

Started out with a 16th minute goal from Christine Sinclair

Then a 28th minute goal from defender Kandace Wilson (her first goal!) with an assist from Marta

Then Sinclair netted it again in the 53rd with an assist from Marta.

Then in stoppage time Kandace Wilson returned the favor and provided the assist for Marta, her 20th goal this year.

In league-wide results:
WPS Citi Sportswoman of the year: Chicago Red Stars' Natalie Spilger - she started her own non-profit GreenLaces.org check it out!

WPS Rookie of the Year: FC Gold Pride's Ali Riley

WPS Player of the Year: FC Gold Pride's Marta

And the Golden Boot Award: FC Gold Pride's Marta

What a way to end such a spectacular season. It's been such a fun ride photographing them this year! The team, management and owners all deserve this win. And the WPS deserves to have such great soccer being played here in the US with the best players in the world! I don't know how this year can be topped (especially for Gold Pride) but I'm looking forward to next season!!

Congratulations FC Gold Pride! Photos up on ISIphotos.com

FC Gold Pride defeats the Philadelphia Independence 4-1

What a way to end the regular season! FC Gold Pride defeated the Philadelphia Independence 4-1 at Pioneer Stadium in Hayward, California.

Left the Cal Football game at half time to make sure I could make it to the FC Gold Pride game on time for the trophy presentation. FC Gold Pride sealed up the regular season champions title two weeks ago, but had the trophy presentation this week.

WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci presented the regular season trophy to FC Gold Pride owners Brian and Nancy NeSmith  along with team captain Rachel Buehler, head coach Albertin Montoya, and general manager Ilisa Kessler. I have never seen owners be as involved or personally care so much about a team as the NeSmith's. The players and the organization definitely deserve this title!

I decided I would photograph the Independence first half and then FC Gold Pride second half. After Gold Pride scored two goals across the field in the first, I thought I had made a bad decision. But they didn't let me down and scored another two goals in the second half. And after Marta's assist to Christine Sinclair to put it away, she pointed towards a celebrating Marta to give her credit, and I had the perfect angle to capture the moment =)

Also captured another (and I think my best yet) set of the Kiki Bosio flip throw. Hopefully David Keller and daughter will enjoy =)

My parents also came to the game and really enjoyed it. My dad was really impressed with their ball control. Pre-game they spun the wheel at the amyway booth. My dad won a Marta poster and my mom won a free Marta t-shirt (which I'm planning to steal) ... I wonder where I get my love of free t-shirts from? ;-)

After the game Ali Riley came on the microphone to encourage fans to check out Kelley and Ali's corner and thank the fans for their support this season and the entire team held up huge banners to thank the fans as well.

After this, the players celebrated... then it's back to work as they will be fighting for the WPS Championship Sunday September 26th. With home field advantage, hopefully it will be a great crowd and another win for FC Gold Pride who are on a 13-game unbeaten streak!

Full set up at ISIphotos.com

FC Gold Pride ties Chicago Red Stars 0-0

Another exciting WPS game. Though the score doesn't really reflect how exciting it was. Gold Pride got a lot of good looks and one goal went in from a Shannon Boxx header to Christine Sinclair, but it was unfortunately disallowed.

This game was part of PUMA's Project Pink, Think Pink Breast Cancer awareness so Gold Pride, if ya didn't notice, wore pink jerseys, pink socks and even played with a pink ball!

And I was given one of those rubber bracelets, it's pink and it says PRIDE... and we know how much I love free stuff!

The most awesome thing about Project Pink, not only are 100% of the profits from sales of pink jerseys, balls, bags going to the breast cancer charity with the most votes...but from July 31st to October 18th, PUMA will donate an additional $1 to the Project Pink cause for tweets which include "#projectpink" one tweet per one user per day. So let's all try to remember to tweet #projectpink!

My photos up at ISIphotos.com, FCGoldPride.com and WomensProSoccer.com

FC Gold Pride defeat Washington Freedom 3-2

Was a little late to the FC Gold Pride game after waiting for some World Cup Final photos to come in but I made over with 10 minutes left in the first half. I had already missed their first goal on a penalty shot.

But second half they scored 2 more goals as did the Washington Freedom and game ended 3-2, keeping Gold Pride on top of the WPS standings.

Unfortunately the Freedom was missing their super star Abby Wambach (and Gold Pride was missing some players too) due to the national team duties as they face Sweden tomorrow!

All photos up on ISIphotos.com

Welcome Shannon Boxx to FC Gold Pride

With the unfortunate folding of WPS team, St. Louis Athletica announced 2 weeks ago, all the Athletica players became free agents.  FC Gold Pride was able to sign an agreement with US Women's National Team star, Shannon Boxx!

So, before the game last Saturday, I took a head shot of Gold Pride's newest player!

She was so nice, friendly, easy to work with, taking time out of her warm-up to sit for me. Incredible to think the she's a gold medalist, 2005 3rd place FIFA player of the year, and veteran national team superstar, with ZERO ego.

FC Gold Pride ties Washington Freedom 1-1

Woo! One of the most exciting games I've ever seen. #1 FC Gold Pride vs #2 Washington Freedom. The game ended with a 1-1 tie to keep Gold Pride at the top. But WHAT an exciting game. If you count shots on goal, it was 18-10 Gold Pride.

Freedom took the lead in the first half after Allie Long's 38th minute goal. But Gold Pride wanted it BAAAD. Marta was playing with so much passion, screaming in Portuguese, and was absolutely amazing to watch with her breakaway speed and just general Marta-ness! She scored the equalizer and celebrated right towards me, it was so sweet! I'm sorry LA Sol went under but I am SO SO SOOO happy to have Marta playing in the bay!

Also, awesome to see Shannon Boxx get the start. Her skill level, leadership, and knowledge of the game really shows when you can place her on a brand new team, with only a few players she's played with before (either US Women's National Team or WPS) and she can still have a great game.

Was the last game for Gold Pride at Castro Valley High School Stadium, next week they head to the brand new stadium at Cal State East Bay. But CV has treated them nicely, great crowds and undefeated at home this season!

In all the excitement of the game, forgot to mention how awesome it was to also see Abby Wambach play, she's hard core, and I wouldn't go near her on the soccer field, but she is great to watch. WPS is really the premier league for women's players and I'm so happy to be a part of it as the league is in just it's 2nd season!

All my photos up at ISIphotos.com

FC Gold Pride defeats Chicago Red Stars 2-0

Another win for FC Gold Pride!! No. 1 in WPS standings and still undefeated at home!

Tiffeny Milbrett scored the first goal. Was a bit of a redemption goal as she had missed the PK, but this was even sweeter. Great shot and totally loco to think she’s 37! You wouldn’t know it by her body, her face or the way she plays. Dang girl!

Kelley O’Hara (woo for the “e-y”) scored her first WPS career goal, how appropriate considering it was Stanford standout night!

They don’t have another home game until June 5th so let’s hope they have strong road games!

All photos can be seen at ISIphotos.com

FC Gold Pride defeats Sky Blue FC 3-1

What a great home opener!!

I cover the local Bay Area Women’s Professional Soccer Team, FC Gold Pride. Last year was the inaggural WPS season, this year we are back for more. Gold Pride got Brazil’s Marta (only the best women’s soccer player in the world!) when LA Sol went under. They also got Kelley O’Hara in the draft from Stanford. Despite any Cal-Stanford rivalry, I obviously am a big fan of Kelley, not only because she’s good but her name is Kelley… WITH the “e”!!

Anyways, was their home opener last night. Christine Sinclair (who recently scored her 100th goal with the Canadian National Team) scored in the first half. Sky Blue tied it up in the second but then Sinclair scored again and then Marta scored to end the game 3-1. Was a GREAT crowd, GREAT atmosphere, GREAT game, GREAT everything.

It was tough because they are starting their season playing at Castro Valley High School. It’s a beautiful facility but the lighting is not designed for photographers. But I was still happy to have a night game because that meant I could attend both the game and my grandma’s 80th birthday party in the afternoon! Happy Birthday Grandma! Was great to see so much family come out, up and over to celebrate with her.

All my photos are up on ISIphotos.com as well as WomensProSoccer.com and FCGoldPride.com