In this week's links, players with local ties are making their marks on the domestic and international stages, while a handful of players now call Portland home.
The U.S. Women’s National Team finally qualified for the 2012 Women's World Cup by beating Italy in a two-leg playoff series, 2-0 on aggregate. The Americans are grouped with North Korea, Colombia and Sweden for the 16-team tournament in Germany.
The USWNT relied on former Portland Pilot Megan Rapinoe in the second leg as the Redding, Calif., native assisted on Amy Rodriguez’s game-winning goal.
Former University of Portland star and 2010 MLS Cup MVP Conor Casey is profiled by The Oregonian’s Geoffrey C. Arnold.
Salem McKay High School product Ana Vicky Cruz, the 2007 Central Valley High School Player of the Year, recently achieved her dream of playing for the "Tri." She appeared for the Mexican Women's National Team's Under-20 squad and talks about her experiences, future goals, and the tremendous support and love from her family. (SPANISH)
The Woodburn High School boys soccer team, which was profiled in the book, “The Boys From Little Mexico,” captured their first state championship after defeating Corvallis High School 2-1 in overtime on Saturday, Nov. 20. A traditionally strong program, Woodburn has reached the state playoffs in each of the last 25 years.
