Breakers Sign Leslie Osborne

Boston Hopes to Solidify Midfield With U.S. International

Oct. 22, 2009

The Boston Breakers have agreed to terms with free agent midfielder Leslie Osborne, a former member of FC Gold Pride and current member of the U.S. Women’s national team.

Leslie Osborne was one of FC Gold Pride's most consistent players last season. (Photo courtesy of Women's Professional Soccer)

Osborne is the second new arrival to join the Breakers via free agency this offseason, joining her former FC Gold Pride teammate Tiffany Weimer.

Osborne captained FC Gold Pride in 2009, starting in 18 of the club’s 20 matches and leading the team with 1,622 minutes of playing time. Her performance marked a successful return from a torn ACL and ankle injury suffered during national team training in May 2008, which caused Osborne to miss the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Boston hopes the Brookfield, Wisconsin native brings consistency and leadership to the defensive midfield, a position where several different players were rotated during the 2009 season.

“Leslie Osborne is a proven midfielder who has a wonderful soccer pedigree and a track record of success,” said Breakers head coach Tony DiCicco. “She is talented, tough and a team leader, all qualities that will make the Breakers better. I am looking forward to coaching her and introducing her to our Breaker fans.”

“This is a great opportunity to learn from such an experienced coach like coach DiCicco and to play alongside some of the best players in the world,” Osborne said in a statement. “I cannot wait to arrive in Boston and begin to prepare for the 2010 WPS season.”

A former collegiate standout and three-time All-American at Santa Clara University, Osborne recorded 44 goals and 34 assists for the Broncos. She was the first player in league history to be named the WCC Defender of the year and WCC Player of the year.

In 2004, as a senior, the team captain won the Honda Sports Award as the nation’s outstanding collegiate female soccer player and was a Hermann Trophy semifinalist. As a freshman, Osborne was a key member of the Santa Clara team that won the 2001 NCAA national title, beating collegiate women’s soccer powerhouse North Carolina.