All-Star Win in Home City Special for Athletica Players

This article can also be found in Soccer St. Louis Magazine.

The St. Louis Athletica had three players in Sunday’s WPS All-Star game, and simply hosting the match made it that much more memorable.

“It means a bit more because we hosted it,” said goalkeeper Hope Solo, who posted a scoreless second half of Sunday’s 4-2 win over Umea IK. “I think it’s incredible. It could be the first and the last time that St. Louis gets this event, so it means even more because we can give back to St. Louis.

“It’s all about the fans. It not about, necessarily the best players, it’s for the fans. We just wanted to go out there and entertain them.”

The 4-2 win over the Swedish league champions was a fitting way to close the 2009 season for St. Louis native Lori Chalupny, who got to finish the year on the same field she played on countless times while attending Nerinx Hall.

“Things just keep getting better and better,” Chalupny said. “I’m really excited that the All-Star game was here, and our fans got to see such high-caliber players all on the same field. It’s definitely special to reach this level, and be on my home field where I have so many great memories.”

The Crestwood native and current Brentwood resident had plenty of friends and family in the stands at the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park.

“There are a lot of people who have done so much for me in St. Louis,” Chalupny said. “I was proud that we were able to bring this game here, and give them a chance to watch this all-star team play. It was icing on the cake after a great season.”

Tina Ellertson was the third Athletica player to be selected for the game. The former University of Washington star and member of the national team said she thoroughly enjoyed her first season in St. Louis because of the fans, and the always energetic and passionate coach Jorge Ballesteros.

“He’s such a great guy, and has such a passion for soccer,” Ellertson said. “He did a good job of pushing that onto us, and we wanted to play for him.”

Ellertson said she fully enjoyed her first year in St. Louis, especially because of all the kid-friendly attractions the city has to offer her two young daughters.

“This year was fun,” said Ellertson, who took her girls to Grant’s Farm, City Museum, and the zoo numerous times. “It was hard, it was emotional, it was all the things that sports are supposed to be. I’m looking forward to next year.”

Solo is also a Washington native and U.W. grad. She had never been to St. Louis prior to joining the Athletica.

“I have no complaints,” Solo said. “I came here not knowing what to expect. The people have been incredible.”

The WPS All-Star coach, Abner Rogers of the Los Angeles Sol, added that the atmosphere for Sunday’s match was also incredible.

“It was a great crowd, they were entertained, and got to see some great soccer,” Rogers said. “There were moments of absolute brilliance with great goals and near misses. They put on a great show here, from start to finish.”