Christine Sinclair Leads Gold Pride To Win

CASTRO VALLEY, CA — In their home opener, FC Gold Pride defeated defending WPS champion Sky Blue FC 3-1, with a pair of goals by Christine Sinclair and a goal by Marta.

“It was great a game for us in front our home crowd,” said Christine Sinclair. “We needed to bounce back from last weekend and get the win and I was glad that I could contribute.”

The Pride started the first half strong creating multiple chances to score with shots from Camille Abily, Marta, and Sinclair. In the tenth minute, Sinclair scored her first goal of the season, putting away a deflected save off a shot from Camille Abily.

Sky Blue FC came out of half time starting a new front line with Rosana and Jessica Landstrom who entered the game for Tasha Kai and Carli Lloyd. With the new attacking duo adding more pressure to the Pride’s back line, Sky Blue FC jumped on the board with an early goal from Laura Kalmari in the 49th minute.

The Pride answered back in the 75th minute with Sinclair’s second goal. Kelley O’Hara played a ball into space for a running on Sinclair who chipped Sky Blue FC goalkeeper, Karen Bardsley, to put the Pride ahead.

In the 82nd minute, Marta scored her first goal as a member of FC Gold Pride after receiving a pass from O’Hara and struck a shot into the upper corner of the goal past a diving Bardsley.

Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya was pleased with his team’s performance in front of their home crowd and hopes that it was only a preview of what the rest of the season will hold.

“I was thrilled to see the stands filled the way they were,” said Montoya. “I think we did our job and put a show on for our fans and hopefully they’ll want to come back to see more goals and good soccer because this team is has the quality to do so.”

The Pride returns to Castro Valley HS Athletic Stadium next weekend on Saturday, April 24 at 7PM to face the 2010 expansion team Atlanta Beat. Fans can purchase the Marta Pack, four tickets and a photo on the field with the four-time FIFA World Player of the Year. To order the four pack call (888) 541-3511. Be sure to purchase the four pack in advance as availability is limited.

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Candace Chapman Signs With Pride

FC Gold Pride has agreed to terms with WPS free-agent Candace Chapman (Canada) for the 2010 season.

“We’re very happy to welcome Candace to the Pride,” said FC Gold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya. “Candace brings experience, skill and leadership to the team. She’s a technically advanced player with exceptional pace and is very strong in the air. She’s proven herself at the highest levels of competition both in the WPS and internationally. I’m confident she will have an immediate and positive impact on the way we play.”

Chapman spent the 2009 season in Boston after being added to the Breakers’ roster as an International Discovery Player in January. The Ajax, Ontario, Canada native appeared in 11 games, racking up 697 minutes of playing time in the Breakers’ midfield and defensive lines.
The Canadian national has been a member of the Women’s Senior National Team since 2002. Since then she has earned 65 caps and scored five goals on the international stage. Most recently she helped Canada to a quarterfinal appearance in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“I’m so happy to have Candace on our team,” said Canadian National Team Captain and FC Gold Pride teammate Christine Sinclair. “Over the past three years, she has been one of the MVPs on the [Canadian] National Team. She is the rock of our back four and is going to help the Pride immensely. She can control the backline, she’s fast, a great communicator and can help organize for us. I know she will add a lot to our team.”

Chapman was a standout member of Notre Dame’s Women’s Soccer team from 2001-2005. During that time she helped her team to post-season appearances in each of the four years she played which also included a National Championship in 2004 and a College Cup quarterfinal appearance in 2005. Despite playing three seasons as a defender, she finished her collegiate career with 20 goals and 24 assists for 64 points.

In addition to competing with the Canadian National Team, following her collegiate career, Chapman played in the W-League for the Vancouver Whitecaps. She also served as a coach at the University of Missouri in 2008 where she helped guide the Mizzou Tigers to a school record, 16-5-2 season.

Chapman will become the Pride’s third International to be signed to a contract for 2010. She joins Japanese forward Eriko Arakawa and fellow Canadian, former Vancouver Whitecaps (W-League) teammate and WPS All-Star, Christine Sinclair.