USSoccer.com Release
CHICAGO, Ill. – Three University of Portland women’s soccer players will represent the United States at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, which takes place Nov. 19 – Dec. 7 in Chile. Michelle Enyeart, Keelin Winters and Elli Reed were officially named to the team on Monday, when head coach Tony DiCicco announced his 20-player travel roster.
The Pilots will navigate the 2008 playoffs without the trio, joining 16 other collegiate institutions that are losing players to the U-20 roster. Portland is the only school with three representatives on the roster, while North Carolina is the only other program sending more than one player to Chile.
Every game of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will be shown on ESPN360.com and fans will be able follow the U.S. matches on ussoccer.com’s MatchTracker.
“I have tremendous respect for this group of players,” said DiCicco. “They have sacrificed a lot to play for our national team, including missing out on part of their college seasons. But this group has achieved a level of team chemistry and inner support structure that is unique and special. It is a privilege to coach them and as individual players, they possess outstanding soccer pedigree. Our team strength is our unity and a different cast of stars emerges each game.”
The U.S. will open against France on Nov. 19 before facing Argentina on Nov. 22, with both games taking place at the Estadio Nelson Oyarzun in Chillan. The team will then travel to Estadio German Becker in Temuco to conclude group play on Nov. 26 against China.
Enyeart leads the U.S. attack with 10 goals in 2008, while Winters was named the team captain throughout qualifying. Reed’s versatility allows her to play either the midfield or defender positions for the squad.
Splitting time between the Pilots and the Under-20s, the three players have helped Portland to a 15-1-0 record and No. 3 national ranking. The team is currently riding a 14-match win streak with two regular season contests remaining.
Enyeart has appeared in 11 matches and is third on the Pilots’ roster with 17 points (5g, 7a). Winters has started 10 matches, played a variety of positions and has recorded two goals and one assist while helping Portland’s defense to 12 shutouts. Reed has played both defense and in the midfield and has five goals and four assists.
Portland will play its regular season home finale on Sunday against rival Santa Clara. That match will be televised live nationally on ESPNU at 1:30 p.m.
U.S. U-20 WWC Roster by Position
GOALKEEPERS (3): Chantel Jones (Virginia), Alyssa Naeher (Penn State), Cat Parkhill (Minnesota)
DEFENDERS (6): Kiersten Dallsteam (Washington State), Kaley Fountain (Wake Forest), Lauren Fowlkes (Notre Dame), Liz Harkin (Arizona State), Meghan Klingenberg (North Carolina), Nikki Marshall (Colorado)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Gina DiMartino (Boston College), Becky Edwards (Florida State), Christine Nairn (Bowie, Md.), Elli Reed (Portland), Ingrid Wells (Georgetown), Keelin Winters (Portland)
FORWARDS (5): Michelle Enyeart (Portland), Sydney Leroux (UCLA), Alyssa Mautz (Texas A&M), Alex Morgan (California), Nikki Washington (North Carolina)
