Atlanta Beat Get Big Talent from St. Louis Athletica
This week, after the recent disbanding of Saint Louis Athletica, the Atlanta Beat have agreed to terms with four of Athletica’s former stars: U.S. National Team goalkeeper Hope Solo, defender Tina Ellertson, forward, and WPS leading scorer, Eniola Aluko and midfielder Lori Chalupny.
The Beat have placed midfielder, and No. 1 draft pick, Tobin Heath on the season ending injury reserve and released Lauren Sesselmann, Marisha Shumacher Hodge and Tracy Hamm.
Goalkeeper Hope is one of the most renowned players in the league due to her impressive resume on the U.S. Women’s National Team and in WPS. As the starting goalkeeper for the USWNT, Solo is an Olympic Gold Medalist. She was named 2009 U.S. Female Athlete of the year and MVP of the prestigious Algarve Cup.
Solo was also named WPS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2009 and was a member of the WPS All-Star team. She started in 17 of 17 league games that she was able to play for the season and recorded back-to-back shutouts on three different occasions. In 2009, she also recorded the first ever assist by a goalkeeper in WPS history.
Atlanta Beat head coach Gareth O’Sullivan stated: “She is the best goalkeeper in the world.”
Also joining the Beat is defender Tina Ellertson. She is one of only seven players in WPS who started in every game of the 2009 season.
She has logged more minutes than any other Athletica player in 2010 so far, and will rejoin former teammate Kia McNeil at the center-back position.
In 2009, McNeil and Ellertson, along with Solo, allowed the second fewest goals in WPS (15), earned the second lowest goals against average (0.75) and the second most shutouts (10).
Eniola Aluko, a forward from England’s National team, currently leads in WPS scoring with four goals in six games. In the 2009 season, she recorded six goals and four assists.
“Eni brings a lot of pace and a goal scoring threat to our attack. She is constantly improving her game, and we look forward to seeing her continue at the top of the WPS scoring charts,” said O’Sullivan.
Lori Chalupny, former Saint Louis Athletica midfielder, comes to the team with U.S. National Team experience. She earned 92 caps with the USWNT and was named co-captain in 2009.
Chalupny scored the fastest goal in Women’s World Cup history—57 seconds into a game in 2007. She is an Olympic Gold Medalist and has made six appearances at the Algarve Cup.
As the Athletica's captain in 2009, Chalupny made 18 starts and was voted a WPS All-Star starter. She scored two game-winning goals and was second in overall shots with 35 attempted.
Chalupny was the fourth Saint Louis player to join the Beat; she agreed to terms just after Solo, Ellertson and Aluko.
The Atlanta Beat’s next game is against the Chicago Red Stars at Toyota Park on June 6. The match will begin at 6pm EST and will air on Fox Soccer Channel. You can check out the Atlanta Beat’s new revised schedule here.
*Photo courtesy of theatlantabeat.com
