2010 signings

The Pilots have released their official announcement of the 2010 signings: http://portlandpilots.com/news/2010/2/19/WSOC_0219103016.aspx?path=wsoc

What a group! I'm wondering whether we will see Ellen Parker in action in the spring matches.

I ran across this pic of Michelle Cruz and Germany's Carolin Simon at La Manga.

Interesting question on Ellen...JC! I've never seen a recruit play in a Spring game ahead of the season she was coming in for? But then, none of the previous recruits I've been following...were already enrolled and taking classes. Hope we get a chance to preview her play! That would be cool!

GO PILOTS!!!

LA MANGA, SPAIN - MARCH 03: Sofia Nati (L) of Germany and Michelle Cruz of USA compete for the ball during the women's international friendly match between Germany and USA on March 3, 2010 in La Manga, Spain. USA won 1-0.

Michelle is wearing a captain band.

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Psychotic wrote:
Michelle is wearing a captain band.

very nice find!

I'm way out of the loop on pretty much everything, but you gotta start somewhere:

Is there a consensus that Michelle Cruz and "Dani da Fox" are our two probable starters at striker in the fall?

What do you folks think about Micaela Capelle?

As far as Ellen Parker and spring ball, I would say, heck yes she's going to play. Unless there's a special NCAA or WCC rule for soccer, I know that sometimes Duck and Beaver football recruits enroll early at college after graduating early from high school. They definitely practice with the team and play spring ball, giving them a huge leg up on fellow freshmen come August camp. We should get a great sneak preview of Ellen this spring and she'll be way ahead of the curve come summer ball.

Great pics of M. Cruz, btw.

She looks big and athletic, and we already know she has blazing speed and is a natural goal scorer like Dani.

Definitely, with her national team experience, she is one of the best high school age soccer players in the country. A huge, big time "get" by the Pilots!

One must be skeptical of such rating systems, but for what it's worth I pass on that when I checked today the Takkle top 50 high school girls soccer rankings had Erin Dees at #4, Michelle Cruz #5, Amanda Frisbee #13, and Nichole Downing #18.

Stumbled across this today … Michelle Cruz hat trick with Club Team Real So Cal
Jersey # 16 - 3:48, 6:32, 7:10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktkCAAP7ed4

Thanks! there are several followup videos at the end of that one, too!

My favorite part of the video was when she got up and still got a shot off after being tripped up...instead of waiting for the ref's whistle. That's my kind of a player...relentless effort instead of relying on drawing a foul.

The nutmeg on the keeper was pretty good too.

She's fast and crafty. Nose for the goal.

Welcome to Portland, Michelle. Here's hoping you challenge the Pilot big names for goals and points scored in your collegiate career.

My first look at Michelle.

Loved the goal between the keepers legs!

Shows she's been scoring goals since she was in diapers.