Washington Freedom Press Release - www.WashingtonFreedom.com 

Thursday, April 10

WASHINGTON, D.C – The Washington Freedom announced today the signing of University of Illinois players Christen Karniski and Ella Masar for the 2008 W-League season.

Karniski, a 2006 Illinois graduate, joined the Freedom after playing in the Swedish Damallsvenskan League with Bälinge. The Illinois record holder for most games played and most games started as a left back, Karniski was the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Year and second team All-American in 2005. As a junior in the fall of 2004, Karniski helped lead the Illini to an NCAA Elite Eight appearance, earning second team All-Big Ten and All-Region honors in the process.
 
“Christen [Karniski] is a proven wide player that we have been looking to have play with us for the past two years,” said Washington Freedom Head Coach Jim Gabarra. “We are delighted that she has decided to play with the Freedom for this summer. She will provide us with plenty of options on the left side of the field.”

Masar, graduated from Illinois in May 2007, joins the Freedom after an impressive collegiate career. The 2007 Lowe’s All-Senior All-American and captain of the Illini finished the season with 12 goals and a team-leading 27 points. As a junior, Masar was named an NSCAA second team All-American. She also spent part of her summer in 2007 with the US U21 Women’s National Team helping them as they went on to win the Nordic Cup in Finland.

“We think Ella [Masar] is a great fit for the Freedom,” said Gabarra. “She is hard working and a real handful for opposing defenses. We look forward to having her in our defense of the W-League championship.”

The Freedom kickoff their 2008 W-League season in Long Island on Saturday, May 10. June sees the Freedom open a four game home schedule with the first on Sunday, June 1, at 6:00 PM at the Maryland SoccerPlex. The Freedom hosts the Boston Renegades that evening. Tickets are $10 ($8 for groups of 20 or more). Tickets can be purchased online at www.WashingtonFreedom.com.

Washington Freedom names Hooper to lead Marketing

The Washington Freedom, the Washington D.C. franchise in Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS), officially announced today that John Hooper will be the Freedom’s Director of Marketing, Sales and Communications. Formerly the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Soccer America Magazine, Hooper will immediately start preparing for the start of the inaugural WPS season in 2009.

Hooper boasts an impressive résumé including 15 years with Soccer America Magazine where he formed marketing partnerships with Sports Illustrated, AOL, Yahoo, Major League Soccer, US Soccer, Eurosport, Holiday Inn, Budweiser, Kraft, adidas, Nike, Reebok and others. Hooper also was formerly Marketing Director for Soccer Kick Stores. He serves on the Board of Directors for America Scores - Bay Area and on the Marketing Committee for the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

"We are happy to get a real soccer marketing pro for the Washington Freedom as we continue to build our management team," said President and General Manager Joe Quinn. ”With his experience and passion for soccer, John is a perfect fit for the Freedom.”

“I am very excited to be joining the management and coaching team Joe Quinn has assembled for the Washington Freedom,” Hooper said. “I am also very excited to be part of the team building Women’s Professional Soccer. The league has an excellent commissioner in Tonya Antonnuci and great owners and management. I am very excited to be working with the people and organizations that are building Women’s Professional Soccer: John Hendricks, Joe Quinn, Steve Nash, AEG, SUM, DC United, Jeff Mallett, Peter Wilt, Joe Cummings, Louise Waxler, Jim Gabarra and Ian Sawyers.”

About the Washington Freedom
The Freedom was one of the original teams in the WUSA, the first professional soccer league for women in the US. Featuring US National Team stars Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach and WUSA All-Stars such as Jennifer Grubb, Carrie Moore and Siri Mullinix. The Freedom won the Founders Cup III, the 2003 WUSA Championship. After the WUSA ceased operations in 2003, the Freedom has continued operating and has built a club structure featuring youth, Under-20 and W-League teams. In 2007, the Freedom became full members of the W-League going on to win the North American Title. The Washington Freedom Begins WPS Play in April 2009 – www.womensprosoccer.com.

The Washington Freedom is a founding club of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS). WPS is the highest-level women’s professional soccer league in North America. The teams for the 2009 season are Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.

About the W-League – www.uslsoccer.com 
Operating since 1995, the W-League is currently the highest-level women’s soccer league in North America. The league features 41 teams for the 2008 season ranging all over the United States and Canada. In addition to international and former professional stars, elite collegiate players also have the opportunity to compete in the league while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is recognized throughout the world for providing elite competition for women’s players while providing affordable family entertainment.