Breakers Notebook: Fabiana Nears Return

Monroe in Familiar Territory Upon Comeback to Boston

By Mark Goodman

July 1, 2009

The time may be coming near that Fabiana makes her anticipated debut with the Boston Breakers.

Fabiana

Fabiana has appeared in two matches for the Boston Aztecs during her recovery from ACL surgery. (Photo courtesy of the Boston Aztecs)

The 19-year old attacking forward from Brazil � who wasn�t even in Boston until early-May � has gradually become more and more active in the club�s training sessions while recovering from a December surgery to repair a torn ACL.

Over the last two weekends, Fabiana has played for the Boston Aztecs, the Breakers� WPSL affiliate. In Saturday�s 2-0 win over Bay State Select, she played the first half, coming close to scoring and picking up a yellow card.

Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco said Monday he saw the booking as good a sign as any that Fabiana is regaining confidence to play 100 percent.

�Coming back from an ACL is not easy,� DiCicco said. �You can ask any of the players that have it � there is some doubt and it does take a while before you have your full steam back.�

Speaking through translator Rebeca Cortazio after Monday�s practice, Fabiana admitted she has had some of those doubts.

�It�s a little scary coming back from an ACL,� she said. �But everyday I�m losing that fear. I feel like I�m capable of going out there and doing what I need to do.�

So much so that Fabiana said she�s ready to play this Saturday, when the Breakers travel to Piscataway, N.J. to take on Sky Blue FC. DiCicco said the Brazilian likely won�t be making the trip, as he can only take five substitutes with him and wants players fit enough to play close to a full game in case of an early injury to a starter.

When Sky Blue is in town for a rematch July 12, however, Fabiana could very well make her WPS debut.

�I think our next home game, she�ll get in if at all possible,� DiCicco said. �She�s doing well. She�s starting to get comfortable where she�s now in full contact mode. We�re hoping that having her down the stretch run here will be a boost.�

Just like old times for Monroe
Mary-Frances Monroe made her WPS debut as a substitute in last Wednesday�s 1-0 win over Washington, but it wasn�t an entirely new experience for the Tariffville, Conn. native.

Monroe spent time with the Breakers and the Philadelphia Charge during the 2003 WUSA season. With Boston, she was teammates with current Breakers Angela Hucles and Kristine Lilly, while the Charge featured Heather Mitts and Kelly Smith.

Monroe � who was signed to a developmental contract two weeks ago � said Monday knowing those players helped her with the transition to WPS play this season. It still hasn�t been easy, however, as Monroe has had to split her time between playing with the Breakers and her other full-time job as head coach of the University of Albany women�s soccer team.

After Monday�s training session, Monroe made the three-hour drive to New York�s capital to take care of some business in the office. She has also had to squeeze in her recruiting during off days with the Breakers, but said she hopes Monday�s commute will be the last she has to make this season.

�My bosses (at Albany) have been absolutely amazing and the administration is 100 percent supportive,� Monroe said. �I only have one full-time assistant (Kristin Shaw), so she�s pretty much been holding down the fort, so that�s been really great having someone I really trust.�

Mark Goodman can be reached at newsdesk@soccernewengland.com