Piranhas' McGhee heads to Vancouver
Whitecaps also re-sign eight
VANCOUVER, BC -- Whitecaps FC Director of Soccer Operations, Bob Lenarduzzi, announced the signing of nine women’s team players today. Eight players have returned from last season and Piranhas midfielder Ashley McGhee joins the Whitecaps for her first season.
Forwards Amber Allen, Martina Holan, Tera Kasubuchi, Brittany Timko, midfielders Ashley McGhee, Katie Thorlakson, defenders Clare Rustad, Sophie Spilborghs and goalkeeper Michele Gademans all signed for the 2004 season.
McGhee, 24, joins the Whitecaps from the 2003 W-League National Champion Hampton Roads Piranhas. The Burlington, Ontario native played two years with the Piranhas. McGhee is also a member of the Canadian National Team but has yet to play a match.
Amber Allen, 29, enters her fourth year as a striker with the club. A member of the Canadian national team, Allen has played 11 international games and scored three goals. The Pitt Meadows native last played for Canada in a friendly versus Brazil on July 17, 2003. Last season Allen played three games, logging 125 minutes on the pitch.
Martina Holan, 29, scored five goals and five assists through 11 games in her first season with the Whitecaps last year. The Los Altos, California native last played for the California Storm.
Tera Kasubuchi, 30, enters her second year with the Whitecaps. Last season the Victoria native scored five goals and two assists in 12 games.
Brittany Timko, 19, played two games and logged 203 minutes in her first season as a Whitecap last year. The Coquitlam native is a member of the Canadian national team and has already played 32 international games, most recently in a CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament versus Jamaica on February 26, 2004. Timko also played on the Canadian U19 team, recording seven goals in 17 games.
Katie Thorlakson, 20, enters her second year with the Whitecaps. Last season the Langley native played three games, recording one goal in 199 minutes. Thorlakson is a member of the Canadian U19 team and has played 15 games, recording four goals. The midfielder last represented Canada on September 1, 2002 in the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship Final versus the USA (0-1 Canada).
Clare Rustad, 21, splits her playing time between the Whitecaps FC, University of Washington and the Canadian national team. In 24 games with the national team, Rustad has scored one goal. Her last international game was a friendly versus Mexico on September 4, 2003. The Saltspring Island native was also a member of the U19 team and scored two goals in 16 games.
Sophie Spilborghs, 34, enters her fourth year with the Whitecaps. The North Vancouver native logged 922 minutes through 11 games and notched one assist last season.
Michele Gademans, 30, enters her fourth year with the Whitecaps. The Langley native logged 135 minutes over two games with the club last season, recording one shutout.
The Whitecaps Women open their 2004 season on Friday, May 14th at Swangard, hosting the Calgary Wildfire. Women’s season tickets start at just $44 for youth and seniors, and $63 for adults. For more information on Whitecaps ticket packages, visit whitecapsfc.com or call 604 669-WAVE (9283).
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