Devils work out with FC Gold Pride players

Several Devils players participated in the Gold Pride Training Day at John Muir high School in san Jose on Tuesday night. Several Gold Pride players, including Brazilian superstar Marta, were on hand to run several training drills with the girls.


The drills ranged from 1v1 small space ball control to shooting, to turns and ball handling. Each station had a Gold Pride player running the drill. Marta circulated throughout the training and mixed it up with several Devils players in the 1v1 drill. It was great way to expose the kids to such a great soccer player.

Marta vs Katrina

At the end of the training, all player in attendance had an opportunity to get each Gold Pride player to autograph an item. Players autographed balls, t-shirts, programs, soccer bags and even a soccer boot or two.


The Gold Pride players even made time for a group shot with the Devils players. Everyone in attendance also received a ticket to this Saturday night’s Gold Pride game.


The program was well organized and certainly a great experience for the kids. Hats off to all the Gold Pride players for taking the time to work with the kids.

Devils help launch new WPS FC Gold Pride

Several Devils players and their families attended the inaugural FC Gold Pride game at Buck Shaw Stadium on Sunday, to kick off the new Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league vs. the Boston Breakers. Those in attendance were treated to a thrilling 2-1 win by the Pride, on a goal by US National Team player Tiffeny Milbrett in the 90th minute of play.

The game was fast paced and a great example of what soccer is like at the highest ranks in the world. Players from Brazil, Japan and Canada all join the large U.S. contingent that makes up these rosters.

The Pride are led by team captain Leslie Osborne (U.S. National Team), Milbrett, and World Cup hero (and local girl) Brandi Chastain.

Chastain subbed in for Osborne early in the second half and showed why she’s still one of the world’s finest midfielders in the women’s game today. Chastain’s international days are over, but her participation in the WPS helps bring immediate legitimacy to the league.

Former Brazilian superstar Sissi is also an assistant coach for the Pride.

The starting goaltender, Nicole Barnhart, was tested often during the match, which pegged the Pride against current U.s. National team players Kristine Lilly, Heather Mitts and Angela Hucles.

As an added bonus, the girls were invited to play at on the field in a scrimmage following the contest. The Devils were teamed up with players from the SASC Blades, and scrimmaged against the SASC Top Gun. Thanks goes out to the Blades for extending the invitation to join in on the action.

For more information on the Pride, checkout their website at: http://www.womensprosoccer.com/bayarea/

For more photos of the event, [click here for a slideshow] or [click here for individual shots].