Lindsay Tarpley Acquired by St. Louis Athletica

In a move that came only 20 minutes to the start of the 2010 WPS Draft, St. Louis announced the exchange of rising goalkeeper Jillian Loyden for midfielder and 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Lindsay Tarpley from the Chicago Red Stars.

Speaking to the WPS media, Head Coach Jorge Barcellos said, “This was a big opportunity for us to improve our club. We have given Chicago a very promising young goalkeeper, but in turn we have received a midfielder that has world class credentials and ability. Lindsay Tarpley will be an amazing addition to Saint Louis Athletica.”

The addition of Tarpley adds experience and leadership to the Athletica roster. With two Olympic tournaments and a World Cup under her belt, Tarpley will bring a steady midfield role to the squad and additional goal scoring opportunities. Recently honored with U.S. Soccer's Female Player of the Decade, Tarpley has represented the United States 119 times to date, and has scored 30 goals in her international career.

Tarpley joins several familiar faces in St. Louis. She will rejoin 2008 Olympic teammates Lori Chalupny and Hope Solo, and 2007 World Cup teammate Tina Ellerston. Tarpley and Chalupny played college soccer with Kendall Fletcher at the University of North Carolina, winning the 2003 National Championship together. Tarpley, Chalupny, Fletcher, and Angie Kerr (Woznuk) were members of the 2002 U-19 U.S. Women’s World Cup-winning squad.

Chicago gains a promising young goalkeeper in Jillian Loyden. Playing in three games for the Athletica, Loyden posted two shutouts and allowed only one goal. In her first professional start on May 23 against (ironically) Chicago, Loyden made six saves, held the shutout, and gained WPS Player of the Week honors.

During a loan period in December, Loyden competed for the Australian W-League team, Central Coast Mariners. Her performance with the Mariners earned her the honor of W-League Goalkeeper of the Year.

About Saint Louis Athletica

Saint Louis Athletica is a founding member of Women's Professional Soccer—WPS. In their inaugural season, Saint Louis Athletica finished in second place in the WPS and reached the WPS Super Semifinal. Athletica plays their home matches at the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in suburban St. Louis. The 2010 home opener will be on April 11 against FC Gold Pride.

About Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS)

Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) is the premier women’s soccer league in the world and the global standard by which women’s professional sports are measured.

The inaugural season kicked off in March 2009 with seven WPS teams based in the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. The league’s eighth and ninth franchises, Philadelphia and Atlanta, will begin play in the 2010 WPS season, which begins April 2010.

For more information, visit www.womensprosoccer.com.

This story was excerpted from a press release by the St. Louis Athletica and reworked by freelance writer Lauren Salter.