Thursday, January 22, 2009

USWNT Captain Rampone to Appear at Colorado Force Soccer Tournament

The Colorado Force FC, the W-League team that the Rapids have partnered with over the last few years as part of the club's annual Women's Soccer Celebration, have announced a special guest will be attending their upcoming tournament.

Christie Rampone, current captain of the U.S. Women’s national team, will be the featured guest at their upcoming 2009 Colorado Force Showcase.

The Fifth Annual Showcase, which brings over 250 top high school-aged girls together to play before college coaches, is scheduled Feb. 13-15 at The Edge Sports Center in Fort Collins and Arena Sports in Windsor.

"The whole experience [in Colorado] was awesome,” Rampone said of her appearance last July at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, when the Rapids brought in the US Women to face Brazil in a send-off match for the Olympics.

"The soccer fans were so passionate and enthusiastic, and they showed it by finishing first in attendance! It was the most fans we had in 2008, domestically! We beat Brazil, AGAIN, 1-0 in front of more than 15,000 people."

Rampone, who will appear on Feb. 14, will be the focus of two events that day. First, she will lead a skills clinic for 100 youth players (under age 14) at noon at Arena Sports in Windsor. The event will include a 40-minute clinic, t-shirt, Christie Rampone photo keepsake and autograph session.

Later that day Rampone will address a closed gathering for players and coaches participating in the Showcase. “We’re so proud to offer area young ladies the opportunity to be scouted, and to treat them to such a national treasure as Christie Rampone,” said Force managing partner Amy Snider.

Rampone has been recognized as one of the game’s elite defenders, playing both outside back and central defense. A former star forward in college, she is noted for her speed, ball-winning ability, ruggedness, competitiveness and consistency have made her one of the most steady players on the national team for more than a decade, and has earned over 210 caps for the USWNT.

The Showcase allows players to demonstrate their skills in front of dozens of college coaches over a three-day, 6v6 tournament. Top players will also get to perform in all-star contests. Organized by the Colorado Force W-League franchise, the Showcase attracts college prospects from throughout Colorado, as well as from Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. In 2008, the event drew 38 coaches from 12 states.

To register, or for further information, e-mail cayla@forcesoccer.org, or call (970) 484-4653. You can also learn more about the Colorado Force by visiting their official website.
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