DiCicco on the Breakers

By Mark Goodman

January 15, 2009 - Heading into Friday’s WPS Draft, in which they hold the first overall selection, the Boston Breakers’ roster has already taken shape.

Tony DiCicco

Tony DiCicco is preparing for Friday's WPS Draft.

Fans of American women’s soccer will know the names of midfielders Kristine Lilly and Angela Hucles, and defender Heather Mitts, all veterans of the national team.

But what about some of the other players on the squad?

Negotiations are ongoing with a few international players assigned to the Breakers - including Irish keeper Emma Byrne, Brazilian midfielder Maycon and Japanese forward Shinobu Ohno - but head coach Tony DiCicco says he likes what he has to work with so far.

“I’m pretty excited about who we have right now,” DiCicco said in a recent interview. “And I think with the first pick in the draft, we can add to this collection we have and make it a pretty exciting group.”

Here’s what DiCicco had to say on his current roster, starting with the other four Americans:

Amy LePeilbet, defender: “I think (she) had a pretty good chance of making the Olympic team last summer, but was still coming back from an ACL injury. Amy’s a smart, talented central defender that we’re very excited about.”

Nancy Augustyniak Goffi, defender: “A veteran of the WUSA…She’s a very fast, outstanding central defender.”

Sue Weber, defender: “Sue has played with the under-23 national team. I really like her skill set. She’s comfortable with the ball, she’s got good athleticism, and she’s a very good individual defender. She gives up depth in the center, or we can play her wide.”

Kristin Luckenbill, keeper: “She gives us somebody’s who’s been with the women’s national team right up through the Olympics. She gives us a veteran at the goalkeeper position…The goalkeeper position is a lot about experience, and she gives us that.”

Kelly Smith, England, forward: “Kelly’s certainly one of the best players in the world. I’d put her in anybody’s category as one of the top three or four players in the world. She gives us that sort of attacking flair. She’s the type of player that when she’s in your training environment day in and day out, she makes your team better.”

Fabiana, Brazil, forward: “I’ve heard her described as the next Marta. I don’t know if I’d go that far…She’s coming off an ACL injury. She was supposed to play for the under-20 Brazilian national team at the World Cup in Chile…We’ll be patient with her, but she’s an exciting player for us.”

Christine Latham, Canada, forward: “Christine…is somebody I’m very excited about…She’s a goal-scorer. She’s very tough and I think she’ll be a great addition to what we already have.”