WPS Update: Pilots Thriving in New League

From the UP:

Midway through the inaugural season of the Women’s Professional Soccer league, many former University of Portland Pilots have made significant contributions to their respective teams. Portland has had a large presence in the league as the University is tied for the third most players in the league among all colleges with seven. Below is a breakdown of the seven Pilots and how they have fared thus far:

Cori Alexander (Sky Blue FC – New Jersey): Alexander was drafted in the first round of the October WPS General Draft, but has yet to play in a match this season for Sky Blue FC. The team currently posts a 2-5-3 overall record.

Stephanie Cox (Los Angeles Sol): Cox was one of the 21 USA National Team players allocated to WPS franchises in September and is part of a Sol defense that has surrendered just four goals in 12 matches. She has played every minute in all 12 matches and is a key reason why the Sol are atop the league standings with a 7-1-4 record.

Tiffeny Milbrett (FC Gold Pride – Bay Area): Milbrett was an undrafted signee for the Bay Area team, but has provided a veteran spak for the Gold Pride. She has appeared in all 10 matches making five starts. Her two goals are second most on the team (behind fellow UP alum Christine Sinclair) and she also has an assist. FC Gold Pride currently are 3-5-2 overall.

Megan Rapinoe (Chicago Red Stars): Rapinoe was the No. 2 overall pick in the January WPS draft and has electrified the Red Stars with her dynamic midfield play. Rapinoe has started nine matches for Chicago (missing just one game while playing for the USA National Team). She has a goal and an assist for the Red Stars while leading the club to a 2-3-5 record.

Lisa Sari (Los Angeles Sol): A seventh round draft pick in the January WPS draft, Sari and the Sol lead the WPS standings with a 7-1-4 record. Sari, an assistant coach on the Pilots’ staff, has appeared in three total matches with one start for the Sol.

Christine Sinclair (FC Gold Pride – Bay Area): Sinclair was the eighth pick in the WPS Initial International Draft in September and has proven to be one of the league’s top scorers. She is tied for third in the league with four goals, while her 29 shots are second in all of WPS. Sinclair has appeared in nine of the team’s 10 matches, starting eight games. FC Gold Pride currently are 3-5-2 overall.

Angie Woznuk (St. Louis Athletica): Woznuk was the 15th player taken in the October WPS General Draft and has been a midfield fixture while leading St. Louis to second place in the WPS standings with a 4-3-2 record. Woznuk has played every minute of all nine matches for Athletica, the only player on the roster to do so. She has attempted seven shots and is still looking for her first career goal and assist.

Thanks Fan - Think about how these numbers could look in two years, when this year's juniors and seniors are graduated and going pro.

Does anyone know what Budge's situation is regarding the pro league?

Yeah, I think that Cox has really established great chemistry with Marta in the games I've seen the Sol play. Other teams like the Gold Pride look they should be better on paper than they are, but, then again I'm not as familiar with the best defenders in women's soccer right now...

Thank you for the update. I was wondering how they were all doing.