Three Chicago Red Stars Named to WPS All-Stars

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (August 7, 2009) – Women’s Professional Soccer announced the complete selections to its 18 player 2009 WPS All-Star Team on Friday. Five players (including two Chicago Red Stars) were automatic selections as the next-highest vote getters to replace players from the first 11.

The players who unavailable due to the 2009 European Championships include: Alex Scott (D, Boston Breakers), Kelly Smith (M, Boston Breakers), Camille Abily (M, Los Angeles Sol), Eniola Aluko (F, Saint Louis Athletica), and Sonia Bompastor (M, Washington Freedom).

There were no Chicago players on the original starting eleven chosen by the fans, the coaches, and the press. The changes to the first 11 based on votes received included two Chicago Red Stars, Midfielder Megan Rapinoe, an American player, and forward Cristiane of Brazil.

In addition, WPS All Star Team Head Coach Abner Rogers and WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci named an additional seven reserve players to the roster, including one more Chicago player, Midfielder Brittany Klein.

Below is the complete WPS All-Star Roster.

WPS All-Star Team Starters
Karina LeBlanc    GK    Los Angeles Sol        Canada   
Tina Ellertson          D    Saint Louis Athletica  United States
Amy LePeilbet        D    Boston Breakers       United States
Christie Rampone   D    Sky Blue FC             United States*   
Shannon Boxx        M    Los Angeles Sol        United States
Lori Chalupny        M    Saint Louis Athletica  United States
Formiga                 M    FC Gold Pride          Brazil*
Aya Miyama          M    Los Angeles Sol        Japan*
Megan Rapinoe     M    Chicago Red Stars    United States*
Cristiane                 F    Chicago Red Stars    Brazil*
Marta                     F    Los Angeles Sol        Brazil
*next highest vote-getter to replace First XI  

WPS All-Star Team At-Large Selections (Commissioner/All-Star Team Head Coach)
Brittany Klein         M       Chicago Red Stars     United States
Kristine Lilly           F        Boston Breakers         United States
Heather O’Reilly    M        Sky Blue FC              United States
Christine Sinclair     F        FC Gold Pride            Canada
Hope Solo            GK      Saint Louis Athletica    United States
Abby Wambach     F        Washington Freedom    United States
Cat Whitehill          D        Washington Freedom    United States

“This is a fantastic roster of talented players who together make up a world class WPS All-Star Team that will put on a great show of soccer in St. Louis,” said WPS Commissioner Tonya Antonucci. “I can’t think of a better way to end our terrific inaugural season than by celebrating our league’s teams and players with a weekend soccer festival right in the heart of America.”

The 2009 WPS All-Star Game features the WPS All-Stars against Swedish league champions Umeå IK at The Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, MO, home of WPS' St. Louis Athletica, on Sunday, August 30th. 

Kick-off is scheduled for 5:30pm ET/4:30pm CT. The game will be televised live nationally on Fox Soccer Channel and regionally on select Fox Sports Net affiliates (check local listings) with coverage starting at 5:00 p.m. ET with a half-hour pre-game show prior to kickoff.