Blues to Host Chinese U-20s

In their first game since winning the 2008 United Soccer League Women’s championship, the Pali Blues Soccer Club will host the Chinese Women’s U-20 National team on Wednesday, November 12, at the Stadium by the Sea. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. Emotions will run high as many players will play their final game as members of the Pali Blues before heading to the professional ranks of Women’s Pro Soccer (WPS). “We are excited to bring a Chinese National Team to the Palisades,” Blues head coach Charlie Naimo said. “What makes this game even more special is that we will be giving our fans one last chance to see some of their favorite Blues players in action before they say their goodbyes and head off to the professional teams that have drafted them.” Not only will this match be an opportunity for Blues fans to send off their favorite players, but there will also be outstanding action on the pitch from both sides. “The game itself will consist of great action as it will be loaded with WPS draftees playing against a great national team during their final preparations for the U-20 World Cup, which will be held in Chile at the end of November,” Naimo confirmed. “We are expecting loads of Blues fans along with a strong showing from the Chinese supporters to join us for a great evening.” The Blues, ranked #2 in the world by Women’s World Football, already have a total of nine players headed to play in the inaugural season of WPS, which will begin in April of 2009 with seven clubs throughout the United States. The Blues saw seven players selected in the WPS General Draft with midfielder Jill Oakes taken second overall by the Bay Area. The second-year franchise also saw Matilda Sarah Walsh selected by Sky Blue FC in the WPS International Draft, and Aussie Collette McCallum was taken by Sky Blue FC as a discovery player. The Chinese U-20 National Team is led by head coach Zhang Guilai. After playing the Blues, the Chinese will head to Chile for the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. Scheduled to begin play on November 19, the Cup will be played among the 16 qualifying nations with the final occurring on December 7 at La Florida Stadium. In their past two appearances, the Chinese U-20’s have claimed the silver medal in both tournaments. In 2006 they fell to Korea DPR in Moscow, playing in what was the first U-20 Women’s World Cup. They also reached the championship game against Germany in the 2004 U-19 World Cup in Thailand. The USL W-League played its inaugural season in 1995, and it is recognized as the premiere development league for female players in North America. The schedule is set to open next May and commence in August.