Vancouver Whitecaps News Release - www.whitecapsfc.com

 

Thursday, May 4, 2006

 

VANCOUVER, BC -- Vancouver Whitecaps Director of Soccer Operations, Bob Lenarduzzi, today announced the re-signing of midfielders Amy Apps, Kara Lang, Ashley McGhee, Andrea Neil and Brittany Timko and forwards Amber Allen, Jodi-Ann Robinson, Katie Thorlakson and Stephanie Smith.

 
Amy Apps, 27, is entering her fifth season with the Whitecaps.  Last year, the Unionville, Ontario native played in eight matches for Vancouver, logging 633 minutes of playing time. In September, the 5’5” midfielder made her debut with the National Team in two friendly matches against Germany. Apps played two seasons with the W-League’s Toronto Inferno from 2000 to 2001. In 1999, Apps was a CIAU All-Canadian with McMaster University.

 
Kara Lang, 19, is expected to arrive in early June for her fourth season with the Whitecaps. Lang played 1,023 minutes in 13 games last season, recording four goals and three assists. Lang was also named the top international U.S. college recruit by Soccer Buzz online Women’s Soccer Magazine. She began her college career with the UCLA Bruins in September, 2005. At the young age of 19, Kara has established herself as a National Team regular, accumulating 86 international caps; 53 at the senior level. As a member of the Women’s World Cup team in 2002 at the age of 15, the native of Oakville, Ontario became the youngest player ever to score an international goal.

 
Ashley McGhee, 26, enters her third season with the Caps. Last season, the two-time W-League National Champion scored four goals, which included two game winning goals.  McGhee also logged 995 minutes in 17 appearances for Vancouver in 2005.  As a college player, the Burlington, Ontario resident is the second all-time points leader for Oakland University. 

 
Andrea Neil, 34, is one of the most decorated players in Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian Women’s National Team history.  Last season as Whitecaps’ captain and assistant coach, Neil played in eleven games and finished fourth in team scoring with 14 points - four goals and six assists.  Her efforts earned her W-League All-Conference honours. As a member of the Women’s World Cup team, Neil is one of only two players to hit the 100 cap mark.  In total, Neil has scored 22 goals in 111 appearances for Canada.

 
Brittany Timko, 20, is scheduled to rejoin the Whitecaps in late May for her fourth season with the club. In 2005, Timko posted one goal and four assists in 11 games. Timko made her National Team debut in 2002 versus Japan at the age of 16 and has since accumulated 47 international caps. The midfielder was a key player for Canada at the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship in 2004 where she played up front, scoring seven goals in four games earning the tournament’s Golden Boot award.  Last season with the University of Nebraska, Timko led the Huskers in goals (11), assists (21) and points (43).  The Coquitlam native was been named the Big 12 Soccer Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005.

 
Amber Allen, 30, enters her sixth year as a striker with the club.  Last season, the 5’8” forward led the team in goals (17) and points (36) in 14 games, earning W-League All-Conference honours.  Since her March 1, 2002 debut with the Canadian Women’s National Team, Allen has accumulated 17 caps and four goals, including the lone marker in Canada's 3-1 loss to Germany on April 21, 2005.  Allen is also a two-time Canadian University scoring champion, leading the nation in 2000 and 2001 while playing for McGill.

 
Jodi-Ann Robinson, 17, is entering her second season with Vancouver. The St. Anns Bay, Jamaica native played in only 230 minutes in her five games with the Caps last season, but still managed to net two goals. The 5’4” forward was a standout for Canada during the 2006 U-20 CONCACAF Qualifying Tournament, recording five goals in four games played.  Robinson also has three caps for the senior national team.

 
Katie Thorlakson, 21, led the squad in assists (8) and finished second in goals (8) and points (24) last season. The Langley native also tied for the team lead in game winning goals with four.  As a member of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Thorlakson recorded 18 goals and 35 assists for 71 points, leading her team to a 22-3-0 record.  After guiding the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 2004, Thorlakson’s squad was ousted by teammate Christine Sinclair’s University of Portland Pilots in the 2005 NCAA Quarterfinals. Thorlakson is also a member of Canada’s Women’s National Team and has earned 13 caps.

 
Stephanie Smith, 24, will arrive mid-May to rejoin the Whitecaps for her second season. Last year Smith recorded one goal and one assist in 11 games, four of which she started. The Columbia, Maryland native also appeared in all three playoff games for the Caps in 2005. Prior to playing for the Whitecaps, Smith played for the Penn State Lions from 2000-2003 where she helped capture four All-Big Ten conference titles. In 2003, Smith started in all of the 25 games that she played, scoring a total of 51 goals, four of those being game-winners. Smith was a First Team NSCAA All-American, Third Team SoccerBuzz All-American, and a M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Finalist in 2003. 

 
The Women’s regular season kicks off at Swangard Stadium on Saturday, May 13 versus the Seattle Sounders Saints. All girls 18 and under will receive an Andrea Neil poster at the Women’s Home Opener. Guarantee your seats for exciting Whitecaps Women’s action with the new Women’s Power Pack which includes three Women’s stand-alone games plus both W-League Final Four doubleheaders for only $50! For more information please call 604.669.WAVE (9283) or visit www.whitecapsfc.com.