Breakers Trio Named All-Stars

LePeilbet, Scott, Smith Earn Spots on First XI

August 6, 2009

Boston Breakers defenders Amy LePeilbet and Alex Scott, along with midfielder Kelly Smith, were among Women�s Professional Soccer�s selections of the league�s First XI in preparation for its 2009 WPS All-Star Game, scheduled for Aug. 30 in Fenton, Mo. (the home site for St. Louis Athletica).

LePeilbet was among the leading vote-getters, finishing first overall in the player vote, and tied for first in the coaches voting with Los Angeles Sol�s Marta.

Amy LePeilbet has been a huge presence in the middle of Boston's defense this season. (Photo by CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

This has been a breakthrough season for the former Arizona State and Pali Blues standout, as LePeilbet was brought back into the U.S. national team for the first time since 2006. She has started in each of the United States� past three matches, and has played in every minute of every Breakers game in which she wasn�t on national team duty.

Smith leads the Breakers with five goals scored and was named the first WPS Player of the Month back in April. She has been slowed down by a knee injury for much of the season, but has provided a spark in Boston�s last two matches.

Scott has become arguably the top right back in the league and has proven to be a threat both in attack and defense. She has one goal and two assists this season.

Both Smith and Scott are not expected to play in the All-Star game as they will be competing with England at the European Championships at the time the All-Star Game will be played.

Marta was the highest overall vote-getter, selected by 94 percent of all media ballots, along with all eligible coach�s ballots (teams can�t vote for their own players), second in the player vote and finished fourth overall in the fan vote.

More than 25,000 ballots were cast online by fans and all players on WPS rosters voted, including their choice for the WPS All-Star Team head coach, and selected Los Angeles Sol head coach Abner Rogers.

With several players expected to be unavailable due to national team commitments at the 2009 European Championships, the First XI players who cannot play will be replaced by the next-highest vote-getters at that position, which will be announced later this week. A total of 18 WPS players will be part of the WPS All-Star Team with Rogers and WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci selecting the other seven WPS All-Star Team members.

The 2009 WPS All-Star Game features the WPS All-Stars against Swedish league champions Ume� IK at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, Mo., on Sunday, Aug. 30, with kick-off scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET. The game will be televised live nationally on Fox Soccer Channel and regionally on select Fox Sports Net affiliates (check local listings) with coverage starting at 5 p.m. ET with a half-hour pre-game show prior to kick-off.

Each of the players selected are invited to the 2009 WPS All-Star Game. The players were selected based on votes by fans, media, coaches and players (25 percent each).

WPS All-Stars � First XI
GK - Karina LeBlanc, Los Angeles Sol
D - Tina Ellertson, Saint Louis Athletica
D - Amy LePeilbet, Boston Breakers
D - Alex Scott, Boston Breakers
M - Camille Abily, Los Angeles Sol
M - Sonia Bompastor, Washington Freedom
M - Shannon Boxx, Los Angeles Sol
M - Lori Chalupny, Saint Louis Athletica
M - Kelly Smith, Boston Breakers
F - Eniola Aluko, Saint Louis Athletica
F - Marta, Los Angeles Sol

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