Chicago Sports Review

Most everyone in Chi-cago expected noticeable improvement with this

season’s Blackhawks edition, the playoffs being a goal of right rather than one of a pipedream. Though, what one may not have anticipated, however, was the tremendously rapid development of a club from youth, to a side all-out prepared for championship contention.

As Chicago hovers around the mid-season point of 2008-09 a few things have become apparent. One, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Towes, and Patrick Sharp have excelled and then some, combining for more than 50 goals with the former pair elected to start in their first ever All-Star game. Two, goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin’s performance has been outstanding, compiling a 13-3 record—including the claim of manning our city’s nets without a regulation defeat at the United Center. It’s a point that leads to the third topic of import; that regarding Chicago’s greatest suc-cess…specifically, the team’s record at home.

To date, the Feathered War-riors have amassed a home mark of 14-4-5, good for fourth best in the league. Even more impressive is the Hawks’ recently snapped eight-game winning streak at the United Center, a run that saw their only setback before Friday (versus New York Rangers) come at a locale where many big losses have been witnessed before—at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Day. In fact, Chica-go’s last United Center setback was a full two-months stale, a 6-5 loss to NHL leaders, the Sharks, on November 16, 2008.

Ask any expert in any sport, and all will convey without a doubt that defending one’s home venue is the biggest key to overall team success—well that…and health, of course! Thus, if a squad is able to grasp victory in about 75% of its local contests, and is competent in treading somewhat over .500 on the road, then its chance of ulti-mate accomplishment increases to degrees of championship conten-tion.

Such is what the Blackhawks have done this season, and in

no small part a salute due to the town’s home fans, coming out once again in droves, ready to support their hockey heroes as they have done for so many years. Chicago is a franchise looking to make only their second post-season appear-ance since Denis Savard’s last on-ice season in 1996-97—that 2001-02—and they are a team nearing such goal.

Twenty-one sellout crowds of 21, and an average attendance of 22,558 in those clashes far and away leads the National Hockey League in attendance for the Windy City-based squad, one that rapidly shook its reputation of a “based-by” organization only two seasons ago. Though his death unfortunate, Bill Wirtz’s passing allowed the Blackhawks to move into the 21st century, led by new team President John McDonough’s forward thinking. Sure, the club still maintains its tradition of hav-ing a “hottie” shoot from center ice between the second and third periods. And sure, the crowd roars during the playing of our nation’s

Star Spangled Banner. However, make no mistake, the fans—and its team—is one that this city hasn’t seen for quite a while.

Even during Chicago’s success in the 1980’s through the mid-90’s, the Hawks style was one primar-ily of dump-and-chase hockey,

designed to take advantage of the old Chicago Stadium’s tight ice dimensions of with which visiting franchises struggled to compete. That, along with Savard’s individ-ual skill—one that landed him as a first-ballot Hall of Famer—is what keyed victory on most nights…mucking and grinding, dumping it in, and letting Denis “Savoir-Faire” make it happen.

Now the Blackhawks’ formula for success is much different from a generation ago—built on speed, agility, and the technical skills that will out-play opponents from the outset. Thus, Chicago is a team abandoning a past game-plan—one that was outdated and archaic—for one of the new world-infused style that is accepted today.

And the fans love it too!Currently third in the league

in goals scored with 151, Chi-cago has entertained a new breed of supporter. Sure, the die-hard hockey faithful have remained loyal to the cause, regardless of the Hawks’ “ways and means” on the ice. Though what the team has imported is the entertain-ment-seeking fans, past reserved for United Center games on other nights—those of the Chicago Bulls. Blackhawks battles are now a place for the “pretty people” to be seen, just as much as they are to those knowledgeable of a team which is trying to cease a champi-onship drought now in its 48th year.

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ChiCago SportS review

page 2 Monday January 26, 2009


Monday January 26, 2009 Page 15

For Hawks home is where the heart isBy Phil Meyers

Please see MEYERS on Page 4

CsR Photo by WaRRen WimmeR

Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) takes the puck be-tween Flyers defenders during at the United Center, Chicago, Il. Toews is leading Chicago’s resurgence.

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555 E. South Frontage Rd.Bolingbrook, IL 60440

Tel: (630) 739-4330

Fax: (630) 739-6781

Cell: (312) 301-3447

Email: [email protected]




Monday January 26, 2009

Chicago Fire Soccer announced today that the club has picked up their option for midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco for the 2009 season. Terms of the contract will not be dis-closed.

Blanco signed with the Fire as the team’s first Designated Player in April of 2007 and joined the team in July after competing in Gold Cup and Copa America with the Mexi-can National Team. Blanco has contributed 11 goals and 18 assists through 41 games played.

“I’m excited to be back next season,” said Blanco. “As I’ve always said, I’m very happy in Chicago and I look forward to another year with my teammates. I’m optimistic about 2009 and will continue to work hard to bring a championship to our fans.”

“Cuauhtémoc is a player that has competed at every level of the game and brings experi-ence and leadership to the team. His abilities on the field make him an exciting player for

fans to watch and we look forward to having him in 2009,” said Chicago Fire Technical Di-rector Frank Klopas

The Chicago Fire begin their 12th season of play in Major League Soccer against FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Fire will host the New York Red Bulls for their home opener at TOYOTA PARK on Sunday, April 5 at 2 p.m. CT. Season Ticket Packages, includ-ing a limited supply of full season packages starting at $99, are available now by calling 1-888-MLS-FIRE or clicking on the TICK-ETS link on the club’s official website, www.chicago-fire.com.

Chicago Fire renews Cuauhtemoc contract for 2009 MLS season

saves, which tied for eighth in the National League, while stranding 17 of his 20 inherited runners.

Gregg is 18-21 with 62 saves and a 4.00 ERA (181 ER/407.2 IP) in 271 major league appearances, all but eight in relief.

Batter UP! to PaSS the winter MonthS

For die-hard baseball fans, the off-season can be a torturous time. Oh, the wait, wait, wait, wait...Here to make the time go faster is the first edition of The Cubs Coloring and Activity Book by two genera-tions of Chicago baseball fans.

Sara A. Miller and Jo Hersh-berger are freelance writers and lifelong Chicago baseball fans.

Together, they’ve created a Cubs-packed treasury of activities the young, and young at heart, will take solace and pleasure in as they await opening day 2009.

Filled with more than 50 pages of puzzles, games, and word search-es, this collectible book also offers more than 20 handsome images of 2008 team members and scenes from Wrigley Field just awaiting the stroke of a crayon.

Sure to entertain Cubs fans of every age, this first edition book will please even the glummest of enthu-siasts slowly ticking off the days till opening season rolls around again. And for fans of that other Chicago baseball team, the White Sox Col-oring and Activity Book will be available for opening day in April, 2009.

Continuedf fRom Page 13

Cubs News & Notes cont’dWhite Sox in 2003, Colon went 15-13 with a 3.87 ERA (104 ER/242.0 IP) and 173 strikeouts in 34 starts, setting career highs in IP and com-plete games (nine).

BoBBY JenKS aGreeS to one Year ContraCt

CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a one-year, $5.6-million contract with right-handed pitcher Bobby Jenks, avoiding arbitration.

Jenks, 27, went 3-1 with a 2.63 ERA (18 ER/61.2 IP), 30 saves and 38 strikeouts in 57 relief out-ings with the White Sox in 2008. He ranked sixth in the American League in save percentage (88.2, 30-34) and eighth in saves while

becoming the first pitcher in Sox history to record 30 or more saves in three consecutive seasons.

The 6-foot-3, 275-pounder has gone 10-11 with a 3.09 ERA (81 ER/235.2 IP), 117 saves and 224 strikeouts in 222 relief appearances over four major-league seasons, all with the White Sox. He has con-verted 87.9 percent (117-133) of his career save opportunities, fifth-best in the AL during that span among pitchers with at least 100 chances.

Jenks, who ranks third in fran-chise history with 117 saves, re-corded his 100th career save on May 26, 2008 at Cleveland, becom-ing the second-fastest pitcher in major-league history to reach that milestone, behind only Seattle’s Ka-zuhiro Sasaki.

Sox News & Notes cont’dContinuedf fRom Page 14

Chicago Fire forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco dribbles the ball during a game against the

San Jose Earthquakes at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.

CsR Photo by sCott Wysoglad

Four U.S. Women’s Youth Na-tional Teams will kick off 2009 with two 48-player super-camps at the end of January. Coming off an extremely successful 2008 in which the USA won the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile and finished second at the FIFA U-17

Women’s World Cup in New Zea-land, the youth programs now begin a new cycle as the U.S. Under-20s and Under-18s combine for a train-ing camp in Chula Vista, Calif., from Jan. 25-Feb. 1 while the U.S. Under-17s and Under-15s combine for a camp in Sunrise, Fla., from Jan. 28-Feb. 5.

The combination of the four programs into two training camps will give the coaches a chance to evaluate a large number of play-ers in each age group as the teams begin their runs to what will hope-fully culminate in the 2010 U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany and the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad & Tobago.

The U-20 tournament will be for players born on or after Jan. 1, 1990, while the 2010 U-17 Wom-en’s World Cup will be restricted to players born on or after Jan. 1, 1993.

U.S. Women’s National Team assistant coach Jillian Ellis will oversee the first U-20 camp of the year along with assistant Dave Chesler, who will guide the U-18s. U.S. Under-17 Women’s National

Women’s National teams kick off camps in Florida and California

Continued on Page 7

So like it or not, the Black-hawks’ United Center encounters is the trendy new spot to be seen.

True, this is also a city that wants to latch onto a winner, repeatedly claiming disappoint-ment from all its teams around Chicago’s sports landscape. Though that paradox truly a fallacy, with the Bulls capturing six crowns, and the White Sox, Bears, and Fire one apiece respectively since 1985, the Blackhawks faithful want what all fans want—a winner EVERY year!

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

Sports are competition that brings out the thirst and killer instinct of the individual, striv-ing to best others and infusing a feeling of success. Be it personally or vicariously, the fan and player alike never can achieve enough accolades, because it’s human nature—to best the opponent. Thus, when a constantly starving Chicago-base finds something exciting and thriving such as the Blackhawks to grasp, there is no shame in taking part.

The Second City has loved their squad, the Hawks; so much that they heavily influenced the team’s election of three starters to the All-Star game. The aforementioned Kane and Towes, who represent the Western Conference guns, were buoyed by top-notched defense-man Brian Campbell.

No small part as to why the trio of elected All-Star Warriors was that of the club’s exposure to the city of Chicago—yes most glar-ingly on the tube, something only a pipe-dream a pair of calendar turns ago. Television exposure, now beaten like a dead horse, has supplied this group with the image of which it’s taken, along with dis-

playing the skills that they possess, building a product which can be enjoyed by exponentially more than might have in recent history.

Television or not, Chicago has to put and stop the puck from go-ing into the net depending on the occasion. Thus airwaves can only play a role to an extent. That said, Chicago does maintain the ability to patrol its home ice while putting the club in a position to run deep

into the playoffs; the fans taking notice thirstfully.

And even with home television

broadcasts, might it be mentioned again that no tickets have been available at any home game’s start!

The Chicago Cubs and right-handed pitcher Michael Wuertz have agreed to terms on a 2009 contract, thus avoiding salary arbi-tration. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Wuertz, 30, split the 2008 cam-paign between the Cubs and Tri-ple-A Iowa, going 1-1 with a 3.63 ERA (18 ER/44.2 IP) in 45 relief appearances for the Cubs. He lim-ited foes to a .267 batting average (44-for-165), including a .230 mark (14-for-61) by lefthanders. Wuertz also allowed only a .160 batting av-erage (8-for-50) with two outs in an inning and a .125 mark (2-for-16) with the bases loaded. He went 0-1 with four saves and a 3.60 ERA (8 ER/20.0 IP) in 17 relief outings with Triple-A Iowa in 2008.

A member of the Cubs orga-nization since being selected in the 11th round of the 1997 June Draft, Wuertz went 2-3 with a 3.48 ERA (28 ER/72.1 IP) in 73 relief ap-pearances in 2007, the second-most outings on the club.

Wuertz is 13-7 with one save and a 3.57 ERA (104 ER/262.1 IP) in 265 relief appearances since mak-ing his major league debut in 2004. He has 270 strikeouts in 262.1 in-nings pitched, an average of 9.26 strikeouts per nine innings.

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(773) C-O-P-I-E-R-SChiCago SportS review



Monday January 26, 2009 Page 13

Cubs Spring training ScheduleDAY DATE OPPONENT SITE TIMEWednesday feb. 25 los angeles dodgers Mesa 1:05 p.m.Thursday feb. 26 MilWaukee breWers Mesa 1:05 p.m.Friday Feb. 27 Texas Rangers Surprise 1:05 p.m.saturday feb. 28 ChiCago White sox Mesa 1:05 p.m.Sunday March 1 San Diego Padres Peoria 1:05 p.m.Monday March 2 arizona diaMondbaCks Mesa 1:05 p.m.tuesday March 3 oakland athletiCs Mesa 1:05 p.m.Wednesday March 4 Cleveland Indians Goodyear 1:05 p.m.Thursday March 5 OFF DAYfriday March 6 los angeles dodgers Mesa 1:05 p.m.Saturday March 7 Milwaukee Brewers Maryvale 1:05 p.m.sunday March 8 texas rangers Mesa 1:05 p.m.Monday March 9 kansas City royals Mesa 1:05 p.m.Tuesday March 10 Seattle Mariners Peoria 1:05 p.m.Wednesday March 11 OFF DAYThursday March 12 World baseball ClassiC Mesa 1:05 p.m.friday March 13 seattle Mariners (ss) Mesa 1:05 p.m. Los Angeles Angels (ss) Tempe 1:05 p.m.saturday March 14 los angeles angels Mesa 1:05 p.m.Sunday March 15 Arizona Diamondbacks Tucson 1:05 p.m.Monday March 16 Milwaukee Brewers Maryvale 1:05 p.m.Tuesday March 17 Los Angeles Dodgers Glendale 1:05 p.m.Wednesday March 18 san franCisCo giants Mesa 1:05 p.m.Thursday March 19 Seattle Mariners Peoria 1:05 p.m.friday March 20 san diego Padres Mesa 1:05 p.m.Saturday March 21 Chicago White Sox Glendale 1:05 p.m.sunday March 22 seattle Mariners Mesa 1:05 p.m.Monday March 23 Oakland Athletics Phoenix 1:05 p.m.tuesday March 24 Colorado roCkies Mesa 1:05 p.m.Wednesday March 25 OFF DAYThursday March 26 San Francisco Giants Scottsdale 1:05 p.m.friday March 27 ChiCago White sox Mesa 1:05 p.m.Saturday March 28 Colorado Rockies Tucson 1:05 p.m.sunday March 29 Cleveland indians Mesa 1:05 p.m.Monday March 30 Kansas City Royals Surprise 1:05 p.m.tuesday March 31 los angeles angels Mesa 1:05 p.m.Wednesday April 1 Oakland Athletics Phoenix 1:05 p.m.Thursday april 2 Cleveland indians Mesa 12:05 p.m.Friday April 3 New York Yankees New York 7:05 PM ETSaturday April 4 New York Yankees New York 1:05 PM ET

All games are Arizona Time. Dates and times subject to change. hoMe dates in bold

Cubbies News & NotesCUBS PitCher MiChaeL wUertz GetS ContraCt

The Chicago Cubs and right-handed pitcher Kevin Gregg have agreed to terms on a 2009 contract

Acquired from the Marlins for minor league right-handed pitcher Jose Ceda last November 13, Gregg went 7-8 with 29 saves, four holds and a 3.41 ERA (26 ER/68.2 IP) in 72 relief appearances for Florida last season. He tied for the Na-tional League lead with seven relief wins, ranked eighth in the league in saves and 11th with a .203 batting average against, including a .181 batting average (21-for-116) by left-handed hitters and a .222 bat-ting average (30-for-135) by right-

handed hitters. Since pitching exclusively in re-

lief the last two seasons, Gregg has stranded 32 of his 36 inherited run-ners, an 88.9 percent success rate. He stranded 15 of 16 inherited runners last season, a 93.8 percent success rate.

Gregg, 30, recorded a 3.48 ERA (59 ER/152.2 IP), a .205 batting average against (114-for-557) and

61 saves in 146 relief appearances for Florida from 2007-08. The 6-foot-6, 238-pounder struck out 145 batters in 152.2 innings pitched, an average of 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings, and allowed only 10 home runs, an average of one per 15 in-nings pitched in the last two cam-paigns. Gregg went 2-3 with 13 saves and a 2.56 ERA (9 ER/31.2 IP) in 28 appearances against the

National League Central during the last two seasons.

The righthander joined the Mar-lins prior to the 2007 campaign in a trade from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, where he spent the first four seasons of his major league career (2003-06). In his first season in Florida, Gregg set a career high with 74 relief appearances and 32

CUBS SiGn PitCher Kevin GreGG

Continued on Page 14

CsR Photo by WaRRen WimmeR

Patrick Kane (88) passes the puck during the first period against the Minnesota Wild at the United Center in Chicago. Kane, voted to the All-Star game is on of the keys for the Hawks resurgence this season.

MEYER:Sellouts abound for Second City’s squadContinued fRom Page 2

SoX aCQUire CatCher tYLer FLowerS

In a six-player trade, the Chica-go White Sox have acquired catcher Tyler Flowers, infielders Jonathan Gilmore and Brent Lillibridge and left-handed pitcher Santos Rodri-guez from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for right-handed pitcher Javier Vazquez and lefty Boone Lo-gan.

Flowers, 22, was named to the Carolina League All-Star Team in 2008 after hitting .288 (119-413) with 32 doubles, 17 home runs, 88 RBI, 98 walks and 72 runs scored in 122 games at Class A Myrtle Beach. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound Flowers led the CL in walks, ranked second in on-base plus slugging percentage (.921) and on-base per-centage (.427), fourth in RBI, fifth in slugging percentage (.494), tied for ninth in total bases (204) and tied for 10th in doubles.

Flowers also batted .387 (29-75) with 12 home runs, 23 RBI and 25 runs scored in just 20 games with the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League. He led the league in home runs, OPS (.1,433) and slug-ging percentage (.973), was named to the AFL Rising Stars Team and helped the Solar Sox finish 26-12 and reach the AFL Champion-ship series vs. Phoenix. Flowers hit three home runs with seven RBI on November 12 vs. Surprise.

In three minor-league seasons, Flowers has hit .291 (271-931) with 75 doubles, 34 home runs, 174 RBI and 161 runs scored in 262 games. He was named the Class A Rome Player of the Year in 2007 af-ter hitting .298 (116-389) with 34 doubles, 12 home runs and 70 RBI in 106 games.

white SoX SiGn PitCher BartoLo CoLon

The Chicago White Sox and right-handed pitcher Bartolo Colon have agreed to terms on a one-year, $1 million contract. Under terms of the deal, Colon is eligible to earn an additional $2 million during the 2009 season based upon innings pitched.Colon, 35, is 150-97 with a 4.09 ERA (916 ER/2,014.1 IP) and 1,569 strikeouts in 316 games

(313 starts) over 12 major-league seasons with Cleveland (1997-2002), Montreal (2002), the White Sox (2003), Angels (2004-07) and Boston (2008). He is a two-time, 20-game winner, has struck out 150 or more batters seven times and has thrown at least 200.0 IP on seven occasions.

Colon spent the 2008 season with Boston, going 4-2 with a

3.92 ERA (17 ER/39.0 IP) and 27 strikeouts in seven starts.

Colon was the 2005 American League Cy Young Award winner after going 21-8 with a 3.48 ERA (86 ER/222.2 IP) in 33 starts with the Angels. He is a two-time AL All-Star and has made nine starts in the postseason, going 2-3 with a 3.61 ERA (21 ER/52.1 IP), one complete game and 41 strikeouts

From 1998-2005, Colon ranked second among major-league pitch-ers in victories (135), fourth in starts (261), fifth in complete games (29), sixth in quality starts (158) and sev-enth in strikeouts (1,369). During that eight-year stretch, he made at least 30 starts each season and threw at least 200.0 IP seven times.

In his only season with the





white soxNews & Notes

white Sox Spring training ScheduleDay Date OppOnent Site time

Wednesday feb. 25 la angels tempe 1:05 p.m. Thursday Feb. 26 Colorado Hi Corbett Field 1:05 p.m. Friday Feb. 27 Arizona Tucson Electric Park 1:05 p.m. Saturday Feb. 28 Cubs Mesa 1:05 p.m. Sunday March 1 LA Dodgers Glendale 1:05 p.m. Monday March 2 seattle glendale 1:05 p.m. Tuesday March 3 OFF DAY Wednesday March 4 Oakland Phoenix 1:05 p.m. Thursday March 5 LA Dodgers Glendale 1:05 p.m friday March 6 australia-WbC glendale 1:05 p.m. Saturday March 7 Texas Surprise 1:05 p.m. sunday March 8 la dodgers glendale 1:05 p.m. Monday March 9 Cleveland glendale 1:05 p.m. Tuesday March 10 OFF DAY Wednesday March 11 MilWaukee glendale 1:05 p.m Thursday March 12 Kansas City Surprise 1:05 p.m. Friday March 13 San Diego Peoria 1:05 p.m. saturday March 14 texas glendale 1:05 p.m. Sunday March 15 Seattle Peoria 1:05 p.m. Monday March 16 kansas City glendale 1:05 p.m. Tuesday March 17 OFF DAY Wednesday March 18 la angels glendale 1:05 p.m. Thursday March 19 San Francisco Scottsdale TBA friday March 20 san franCisCo glendale 1:05 p.m. saturday March 21 Cubs glendale 1:05 p.m. Sunday March 22 Oakland Phoenix 1:05 p.m. Monday March 23 OFF DAY Tuesday March 24 Cleveland Goodyear 1:05 p.m. Wednesday March 25 oakland glendale 1:05 p.m. Thursday March 26 arizona glendale 1:05 p.m. Friday March 27 Cubs Mesa 1:05 p.m. saturday March 28 la dodgers glendale 1:05 p.m. Sunday March 29 Arizona Tucson Electric Park 1:05 p.m. Monday March 30 LA Angels Tempe 1:05 p.m. tuesday March 31 Colorado glendale 1:05 p.m. Wednesday april 1 san diego glendale 1:05 p.m. Thursday April 2 Milwaukee Maryvale 12:05 p.m. Friday April 3 TBA Saturday April 4 TBA

All games are Arizona Time. Dates and times subject to change. hoMe dates in bold

Continuedf on Page 14

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NBC’s broadcast of NHL Win-ter Classic 2009 between the Chi-cago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings attracted the best over-night ratings for a regular-season National Hockey League game on NBC in nearly 13 years. In Chi-cago, the Winter Classic scored the highest rating of any program during the day, including the Rose Bowl.

The NBC 5 broadcast of the Winter Classic in Chicago did an 11.8 rating in Nielsen households. Nationally, the network broadcast earned a 2.9 overnight rating, a 12 percent increase over last year’s Winter Classic broadcast.

“The Winter Classic at Wrigley Field became a must-see event for Chicagoans, local and afar.” said Larry Wert, President of NBC Lo-

cal Media Central and Western Re-gion. Everyone wanted to see and be part of this historic event and they did so by making it the high-est-rated regular-season hockey game since 1996.”

“It was a day that Blackhawks fans will never forget,” added Blackhawks Team President John McDonough.

In addition to the Winter Clas-

sic, NBC will carry NHL games on Sunday afternoons again this sea-son, along with some playoff games. The Classic is quickly becoming one of the league’s marquis events.

“Year one was an extraordinary experience,” NBC Sports president Ken Schanzer said. “Year two was the establishment of what promises to be a great tradition.”

Winter Classic pulls in best ratings for NHL game in 13 years

Team head coach Kaz Tambi, who led the 2008 U.S. U-17s last year at the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, will oversee the next group of players for his age group, along with U.S. Women’s National Staff Coach Mike Dickey, who served as a scout and assistant in New Zealand.

The combined U-20 and U-18 camp, which features players born in 1990 (15 players), 1991 (17 play-ers) and 1992 (16 players), includes 16 players from the USA’s 2008 U-17 Women’s World Cup roster. Among that group is midfielder Kristie Mewis, the 2008 U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year, as well as forwards Vicki DiMarti-no and Courtney Verloo, who com-bined for nine of the USA’s 12 goals

in New Zealand. Eleven players in the U-20/U-18 training camp are college freshmen while the majority of the remaining players are seniors in high school.

The combined U-17 and U-15 camp features players born in 1993 (28 players) and 1994 (18 players) with two born in 1995. The 20-player U.S. roster for the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Team

had 15 players born in the oldest eligible age-bracket (1991), four a year younger (1992) and one in 1993. That one 1993 was defender Morgan Brian, the youngest player on the U-17 WWC team, who will be the only player in this Super Camp with world championship experience.

“After having gone through the first U-17 World Cup, I’m really

excited to get this process going again,” said Tambi. “These are the initial stages of the process, and as such, the top priority in the short run will be to identify as many good players as possible. It will be less about nailing down specific posi-tions or worrying about scores in scrimmages. It’s about putting play-ers in tough situations and seeing how they deal with it on an indi-vidual basis. We learned at this last World Cup that even at the U-17 level, on the international stage, the players are becoming much more sophisticated and are able to cope with the pressure of a world com-petition. So we will quickly get on the path of identifying players that will fit the recipe for another suc-cess at the World Cup two years from now.”

“... the players are becoming much more so-phisticated and are able to cope with the pres-sure of a world competition. So we will quickly get on the path of identifying players that will fit the recipe for another success at the World Cup two years from now.”

Two year process leads to World CupContinued fRom Page 3




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Detroit Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg attempts a wrap-around shot, but was denied by Chicago Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin during third period play at the much-anticipated outdoor regular season NHL Winter Classic 2009 hockey game, held at Wrigley Field in Chicago Thursday Jan. 1, 2009. (CSR Photo by Warren Wimmer)

New Year on Icered wings defeat Blackhawks at wrigley Field

in the outdoor winter Classic debut

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