FC Gold Pride (Bay Area) has undoubtedly experienced the biggest transformation of the returning WPS clubs. The club is looking to move on from their last-place finish and in doing so, have cut under-achievers (Eriko Arakawa, Erika and Formiga) and parted way with other big names (Leslie Osborne, Leigh Ann Robinson and Tiffany Weimer). With only 8 players returning this may as well be an expansion team. Coach Albertin Montoya has struck gold in acquiring last year’s surprise package Camille Abily, drafting blue-chip prospect Kelley O’Hara , and signing internationals with needed experience. Right, and then there’s Marta.

With last year’s overall leading goalscorer leading a loaded offensive line, the Bay Area side could legitimately go from being first to worst, just like the 2008 Boston Celtics did after attaining Kevin Garnett. With Marta and Abily, Montoya will reunite the offensive masterminds that propelled the (now disbanded) Los Angeles Sol to the WPS Championship last year. The pair also scored more goals together than Gold Pride’s entire squad did last year. The surplus of attacking options also includes Canadian ace Christine Sinclair (Gold Pride’s highest goal scorer with 6), Tiffeny Milbrett who was in vintage form last year tallying four goals and playing in 19 matches and Kandace Wilson whose season was cruelly ended by injury early on but could carve up defenses with her blistering pace as either a fullback or as a forward.

If last year’s season was a car wreck, then Coach Montoya traded his totaled automobile for a brand new Porsche.

Judging by 45 minutes of last year’s WPS All-Star Game, Sinclair and Marta can pair up effectively together. With her physical size, Sinclair can hold the ball up and turn which complements Marta’s explosive speed and incisive runs (which is somewhat similar to the WNT forward set-up with Wambach and Rodriguez). Abily can pull the strings in the hole while O’Hara can likely slot in out wide and cut in.

Returning to the midfield will be Kim Graczyk (who earned the most appearances for Gold Pride last year) and Kim Yokers. New additions will the aforementioned playmaker Abily and Solveig Gulbrandsen, the most-capped current player on the Norweigan National Team.

Last year’s defensive frailties hurt the club, but the addition of experienced Canadian international Candace Chapman could bolster the central defense with U.S. international Rachel Buehler. The return of Wilson will also be a relief, as is the addition of another Stanford Cardinal, Ali Riley who was drafted 10th overall. Nicole Barnhart will also return in goal.

Perhaps due to their poor record, Gold Pride finished last in attendance last year averaging 3,666 fans per match. But now they’re leaving Buck Shaw Stadium and moving to the more accommodating Pioneer Stadium of California State East Bay University (once it’s ready to be inhabited). It must be mentioned that the addition of Marta will likely be beneficial for the team both on and off the pitch. Last year’s largest gate was observed when the Sol came to town. 6,280 fans came out for the match and the team is certainly hoping to experience similar numbers with Marta being a permanent stay. Also, the drafting of Kelley O’Hara and Ali Riley from Stanford was not principally based on athletic promise. The pair could bring in a following from nearby Stanford University, where Albertin Montoya also has connections to. Gold Pride also drafted well, acquiring Becky Edwards and Kaley Fountain. Both players have plenty of experience on the WNT youth teams.

With the loss of the Los Angeles Sol, FC Gold Pride is now the lone team west of St. Louis. Thus, the team has extended stays on the East Coast to cut down on travel expenses.

Amway Gobal have also followed Marta to the Bay Area, hopefully a sign that the star forward will continue to be the league’s biggest draw of not only spectators but sponsors.

There are many uncertainties that arise with FC Gold Pride. We’ll see if Montoya can strike the right balance of attacking players, if the defensive line can be sorted out, if Kelley O’Hara and Ali Riley can make a smooth transition to the pro’s, if Camille Abily can find that rich vein of form again, if Marta continues to be draw in the goals and the fans.

But what is definitely certain is that this is a new side with great expectations.

Outgoing from 2009 Roster: Marisa Abegg (Freedom Developmental Player, Adriane, Eriko Awakawa, Greer Barnes, Brandi Chastain, Tina DiMartino (Traded to Sol and then selected by Saint Louis), Erika, Formiga (Signed as a free agent with Chicago), Linsday Massengale, Leslie Osborne (signed as a free agent with Boston), Leigh Ann Robinson (Selected first overall in Atlanta Beat Expansion Draft), Sissi, Tiffany Weimer (Signed as a free agent with Boston) and Allison Whitworth (traded to Atlanta for draft picks).

Incoming: Camille Abily (Trade with Sol in January, Kiki Bosio (Initially drafted by Sol then picked up in Dispersal Draft), Brittany Cameron (Signed as free agent, previously developmental player with the Sol), Candace Chapman (Signed as Free Agent from Boston), Becky Edwards (Drafted second round from Florida State in College Draft), Kaley Fountain (Drafted second round from Wake Forest in College Draft), Solvieg Gulbrandsen (Picked up in International Draft), Kelley O’Hara (Drafted third overall from Stanford), Ali Riley (Drafted 10th overall from Stanford).

Developmental players include Ashley Bowyer who was drafted in the fifth round of the College Draft, GK Erin Guthrie who was drafted in the fourth round from Rutgers and Rosie Tantillo who previously played with the W-League’s Buffalo Flash.

Anoraking 2009’s stats:

Leslie Osborne and Tina DiMartino started the most games (18) and had the most minutes for Gold Pride. Neither are returning.

Only Tiffany Weiner earned multiple assists of any other player with three.

Only Sinclair and Milbrett had multiple goals of any player with 6 and 4 respectively.

During that infamous ten-game winless streak, only 5 goals were scored.

The lowest attendance recorded for the team was 2,203 on during a 0-1 loss to the Boston Breakers on July 19.

Scott French graded Gold Pride’s College Draft

Here’s another season preview from Center Line Soccer

And this is Women’s Pro Soccer’s official preview

View Original Post at allwhitekit.wordpress.com

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This post is related to the following ongoing stories:

• 2010 WPS Season Kickoff