Plenty of Breakers Still Active

All-Star Games, International Duty Keeps Players Busy

August 28, 2009

WESTWOOD, Mass. – While the 2009 season may be over for the Boston Breakers, there are still four players lacing up their cleats these days.

Captain/midfielder Kristine Lilly and defender Amy LePeilbet are each starters for Sunday’s WPS All-Star Game. LePeilbet was the league’s top vote getter among both players and coaches, and she is a candidate for the league’s Defender of the Year award, which will be announced on Saturday.

Lilly, the world’s all-time most-capped player (male or female) with 342 international appearances, was one of just five players in WPS to play every minute of every match (1800 minutes/20 matches) this season. She led the Breakers in assists (three) was second on the team in goals scored (three).

While Lilly and LePeilbet are playing in the Midwest, the Breakers’ English duo of Kelly Smith and Alex Scott are competing in Finland at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2009 tournament. Smith led the Breakers with six goals scored and was named the first WPS Player of the Month back in April. Scott became arguably the top right back in the league this season and proved to be a threat both in attack and defense.

Wednesday in the duo’s first match of the competition, England fell to Italy, 2-1. Scott started and played the full 90 minutes, while Smith came on at halftime.

England grabbed the lead despite going down to 10 players in the 28th minute when defender Casey Stone was shown a red card. Just 10 minutes later, Chicago Red Stars midfielder Karen Carney drew a foul in the penalty area, and captain Faye White converted the penalty kick. Goals in the 56th and 82nd minutes gave Italy the win, however, despite a number of quality chances from England to regain the lead.

England has two more matches to play in Group C action and will take on Russia tomorrow, followed by Sweden on Monday. The top two teams from each of the three groups, along with the two best third-place teams advance to the Quarterfinals (Sept. 3-4).

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