LA Strikers News Release - www.lastrikersfc.com
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
PASADENA, CALIF. – The LA Strikers continue to build an impressive roster, adding their fifth international player, a pair from USC, and more local talent after the signings of Laura Coombs, Samantha Johnson, Carly Butcher, Rachel Fleming, Michelle Gonzales, Lisa Kelley, and Michelle Weir.
Coombs is an attacking midfielder currently playing for Arsenal and attending the University of Hertfordshire. She has played for England on the U-17 Women’s National Team and was on the England U-19 Women’s National Team that won the UEFA Championship in 2009.
“It’s very exciting to be joining a brand new team in a different country, maybe with different tactics of how to play,” said Coombs. “I hope to play as well as possible, and link well with my teammates.”
One teammate that Coombs already has experience playing with, and against, is Strikers forward Cherelle Khassal.
“I know she’s a very lively player with quick feet,” said Coombs.
Johnson is a forward for USC, where she scored four goals last season as a sophomore. She was named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman Team in 2009 after finishing second on the team in points (12) with four goals and four assists. A U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team pool player and former member of the U.S. U-18 Women’s National Team, Johnson was also on the U.S. U-17 Women’s World Cup Team in 2008, winning a silver medal, and a member of the 2008 U-17 CONCACAF championship team.
“I’m excited about the high level experience that Johnson brings to the team,” said LA Strikers head coach Reggie Rivas. “She will be able to help some of the younger players with their game.”
Butcher is a midfielder from Anchorage, Alaska, who appeared in all 22 games for the USC Trojans as a junior this season. Butcher had one goal and one assist on the season for three points. She played at South Anchorage High School where she was named to the U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team roster for the 2006 Nike Friendlies and was Named 2007 Gatorade Player of the Year for Alaska.
Fleming is a defender and former UC Irvine scholar athlete, earning the 2008 Coaches Award while serving as team captain for the Anteaters during the 2008-2009 season. Fleming prepped at Mission Viejo High School and was a member of the 2003 CIF and League Championship teams.
Gonzales is a midfielder from Pasadena, Calif., who played on the U-20 Mexican Women’s National Pool in 2009 and the U-17 Women’s National Team in 2007. She was also invited to attend the Adidas ESP 09 camp. In high school she was named the 2007-08 Gold Coast Athletic Conference Delphic League MVP, while also earning First Team All-America honors. She attends the University of the Pacific, where she redshirted her freshman year.
“Michelle is a very technical player and can play several positions,” Rivas said. “She is also very strong and tall player.”