JUNE 10, 2008
MIAMI KICKERS F.C.

The MIAMI KICKERS, F.C. travel out of the country this weekend to take on the PUERTO RICO CAPITALS FC on Saturday, June 14th at Solá Morales Stadium in Caguas, P.R. The team split its two home games this past weekend, beating The Orlando Falcons handily 9-1 on Friday June 6th then losing a tough fought match to the Florida Surge 3-4 on Sunday June 8th. The Kickers had won their first match of the season on May 31st in Georgia versus the FC Thomasville Dragons 2-1. The team had two losses their first weekend of play in Cocoa Beach May 24th vs. Brevard County Expos 1-2, and at home on May 25th vs Palm Beach United also by a tight 1-2 score.

Currently 4th in the seven team Sunshine Conference of the 51-team Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) the Kickers boast a roster of local and international talent. Owned and coached by Marc Miceli (and assisted by Lito Garro) the Kickers provide the best in women’s soccer in the area, allowing college players to stay in the game over their summer break and college graduates the opportunity to continue to play the game they clearly love. On this seasons roster are UM graduate Deidra Bass, FIU graduate and former Israeli National Team player Tamara Kochen, Brazilian born and former Iceland professional player Christiane Lessa, Elisa Prinen from the Finland U17 National team and Barry University, former Jamaican National Team player Keasiand Foster from New York, Brittany Gonzalez from University of Tampa, Jacksonville University (AL) graduate Jo McCaughey, Princeton graduate Canadian Rochelle Willis and Mississippi State graduate Betty Jo Casey (who both previously played for the W League New Jersey Wildcats). Several local current college players are rostered Natalie Bellini, Stephanie Quinones, Alexis Hernandez and Hayley Oligane from Nova Southeastern University; from Barry University - Samantha Cromartie, Elana Brady and Tiffany Rolfing; also Natalie Simon from Stetson (FL), Karissa Jensen from Gardner-Webb (NC), Christina Gent from Providence College (RI), Victoria Bujalski from Christian Brothers University (TN) and two high school players: Hollywood Hills Senior April Perry the 2008 Miami Herald’s Broward County Player of the Year heading off to FIU; and American Heritage Freshman Melanie Meyer.

The WPSL a USSF affiliate (formed in 1998), is the largest women’s soccer league in the world “providing a playing opportunity for elite woman soccer players to play, develop and promote Women’s Soccer at the highest amateur level in North America. Many former and current US and International National team players have played on WPSL teams including: Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastian, Kristine Lilly, Joy Fawcett, LaKeysia Beene, Kylie Bivens, Abby Wambach, Shannon Boxx, Leslie Osbourne, Shannon MacMillan, Kerri Sanchez, Sissi, Jennifer Molina, Monica Gonzalez, Nozumi Yamago, and Tisha Venturini. Over 80 former WPSL players went on to play in WUSA.”

After this trip the team travels to Orlando on June 20th then returns home for games on June 21st & 27th, and July 3rd, finishing the season on the road again in Orlando July 5th and Palm Beach July 12th. Home games are played at American Heritage-Plantation, 12200 West Broward Boulevard in Plantation. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children with local youth club soccer players wearing their team jerseys admitted free. For more information on the team, go to the website www.miamikickersfc.com and the league site www.wpsl.info.