Freshman Sanna Talonen Starts For Finnish National Team

Talonen plays 90 minutes against the U.S. National Team in Carson, Calif.



TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida State’s Sanna Talonen became the third Seminole to represent her country this summer as the freshman forward took the field with the Finnish National Team on Saturday, August 25 in Carson, Calif. The U.S. and Finnish National Teams squared-off at the Home Depot Center in what was Team U.S.A’s final match before heading to China for the Women’s World Cup which begins on September 10. The U.S. went on to defeat Finland 4-0 in front of a crowd of 7,118.



Talonen started at forward for Finland and played almost the entire game as she was replaced in the 90th minute by Susanna Hokkanen. The Tampere, Finland native has been no stranger to the national team as she earned her 32nd cap in Saturday’s friendly against the U.S. In her career, she has registered eight goals while playing with Team Finland.



With Saturday’s performance, Talonen joins fellow teammates Mami Yamaguchi and Becky Edwards in representing their respective countries this summer. Yamaguchi saw playing time with the Japanese National Team in an international friendly against Team U.S.A back on July 28. Edwards was a member of the U-20 U.S. National Team that captured the silver medal at the Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil back in mid-July.



The trio of Seminoles will be in a Florida State uniform as the Seminoles open the 2007 season in Portland on September 1. The Seminoles will face the Pilots on opening day for the second straight season. Last year, FSU registered a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over then top ranked Portland in Tallahassee. Yamaguchi scored the game-winner in the 80th minute, while Edwards assisted on the Seminoles first goal of the game. Saturday’s match against Portland will mark Talonen’s first in a Seminole uniform.