WPS Stars De Vanna, Carney and Cristiane

Women’s Professional Soccer International Players to Watch

Apr 17, 2009 Shona Black

With the Women's Professional Soccer inaugural season underway, world-class international footballers like Marta and Kelly Smith are already making their mark.

As current FIFA World Player of the Year winner and finalist, respectively, Brazilian sensation Marta and England star Kelly Smith – one of the few international veterans of WUSA returning to the American league – may already be familiar to even casual fans of women’s soccer.

But beyond the marquee stars of the fledgling league, a fresh wave of elite player talent from around the world also promises to yield some of the most exciting stars of the new era of professional women's soccer.

Aussie Forward Lisa De Vanna

A revelation in Australia’s World Cup 2007 campaign, De Vanna has the lightning pace, unpredictable acceleration and deadly finishing to stun the tightest backline. Indeed, the diminutive striker was the first to breach Brazil’s parsimonious defence in China when underdogs Australia mounted a spirited if ultimately unsuccessful challenge for a place in the WWC 07 semifinals. Her exhilarating World Cup performances earned De Vanna a spot on the FIFA Women's World Cup All Star Team, as well as a 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year nomination.

The 24-year-old De Vanna, a native of Fremantle, Western Australia, stands only 5’2” tall. Joining Abby Wambach at Washington Freedom, De Vanna could form an effective classic “little and large” strike partnership with the 5’10” USA power forward.

Brazil Maestro Cristiane

LA Sol’s Marta is not the WPS’s only Brazilian with bedazzling skills: fellow canarinha Cristiane will be gracing the field for the Chicago Red Stars. Top scorer at the 2008 Olympics when Brazil narrowly lost the final to USA, Cristiane combines astonishing ball-control and mobility with physical prowess and cool finishing.

Experience in Germany’s Bundesliga, with 1.FFC Turbine Potsdam and VfL Wolfsburg, should have adapted Cristiane ideally for the pace and strength of the WPS. Cristiane, 24, is working to regain full match fitness recovering from injury as the WPS season starts, and as one of the league’s top foreign picks – selected in the first international draft round – looks set to provide thrilling displays for Red Stars.

England Winger Karen Carney

Another world-class signing for Chicago Red Stars, Karen Carney is known for her electrifying performances on the wing for England and former club Arsenal. At 21, Carney already boasts an impressive career, having made her first-team debut for Birmingham City Ladies at only 14 and scoring on her full England debut at 17, in Euro 2005 qualification.

With English champions Arsenal previous to joining WPS, Carney won historic domestic and European honours including 2006/07's quadruple trophy sweep. Carney has also been a key figure in Hope Powell's dynamic England squad - the first to qualify for Women's World Cup since 1995. Carney's agility, enthusiasm and instinctive touch will delight Red Stars fans.

The copyright of the article WPS Stars De Vanna, Carney and Cristiane in Soccer is owned by Shona Black. Permission to republish WPS Stars De Vanna, Carney and Cristiane in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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