Legacy drives Ajax America in title bid
July, 31, 2010
7/31/10
11:03
AM PT
By Scott French | ESPNLosAngeles.com
Ajax America this weekend is making a record fifth successive appearance in the Women's Premier Soccer League's final four, and much of what's driving the club in its history of success.
The South Bay-based team has won two WPSL titles and reached last year's championship game, has included U.S. national teams stars among its players and has sent many on to Women's Professional Soccer and its predecessor, the late, great Women's United Soccer Association.
Ajax (8-3-1) is one of the biggest names in the women's game, and everything that goes along with that will accompany it into Saturday's semifinal against Oklahoma Alliance (8-1-0). Boston Aztec Breakers Reserves (10-1-1) meets FC Milwaukee Nationals (9-1-1) in the other semi; the final is Sunday.
“Ajax has a legacy,” says right back Temryss Lane, who is as well-known for her television work (on Fox Soccer Channel's just-canceled “Fox Football Fone-In”) and modeling as for her play at Arizona State University and in Sweden's top-tier Damallsvenskan. “In honoring what the name represents, I think everybody comes out here to give it their all. And we're all so intense and competitive.”
Midfielder Dani Bosio, the WPSL Pacific Conference Co-Player of the Year, agrees.
“We're competitive. We want to win,” said Bosio, who starred at Pepperdine University. “We have the skills, we have the talent, but on top of that, we just love playing together. … We're not afraid of anyone. We want to win this.”
Ajax emerged from a rough second half of the season, in which it went 1-3-1 after a 5-0-0 start, to shut out North Bay FC Wave and California Storm in last weekend's Pacific Conference finals.
“This year was a struggle,” Lane said. “We were kind of lacking a little bit of heart, and now we've come together at the right time and realized what were play for, and it's not only ourselves, but for each other and Ajax the team.”
THE FIELD: Boston Aztec Breakers Reserves is the favorite. The team, as its name suggests, is the reserve side for Women's Professional Soccer club Boston Breakers, and it has fielded several Breakers players this season: Jordan Angeli, Tiffany Weimer, Alyssa Naeher, Chioma Igwe, Allison Lipsher, Liz Bogus and Taryn Hemmings. Several others are on the roster.
Ajax America has two players with WPS experience: defender Christie Shaner, who played last season with Sky Blue FC and the L.A. Sol, and midfielder Keri Sanchez, who played for the Sol.
FC Milwaukee's and Oklahoma Alliance's rosters are drawn from local players.
“I have no idea of the teams there, but I'm assuming Boston will be strong,” Boswell said. “Hey, its our fifth final four in a row, so we know what it's about.”
WPSL FINAL FOUR
at Richardson, Texas
Saturday's semifinals
Ajax America (8-3-1) vs. Oklahoma Alliance (8-1-0)
Boston Aztec Breakers Reserves (10-1-1) vs. FC Milwaukee Nationals (9-1-1)
Sunday: Final and third-place game
The South Bay-based team has won two WPSL titles and reached last year's championship game, has included U.S. national teams stars among its players and has sent many on to Women's Professional Soccer and its predecessor, the late, great Women's United Soccer Association.
Ajax (8-3-1) is one of the biggest names in the women's game, and everything that goes along with that will accompany it into Saturday's semifinal against Oklahoma Alliance (8-1-0). Boston Aztec Breakers Reserves (10-1-1) meets FC Milwaukee Nationals (9-1-1) in the other semi; the final is Sunday.
“Ajax has a legacy,” says right back Temryss Lane, who is as well-known for her television work (on Fox Soccer Channel's just-canceled “Fox Football Fone-In”) and modeling as for her play at Arizona State University and in Sweden's top-tier Damallsvenskan. “In honoring what the name represents, I think everybody comes out here to give it their all. And we're all so intense and competitive.”
Midfielder Dani Bosio, the WPSL Pacific Conference Co-Player of the Year, agrees.
“We're competitive. We want to win,” said Bosio, who starred at Pepperdine University. “We have the skills, we have the talent, but on top of that, we just love playing together. … We're not afraid of anyone. We want to win this.”
Ajax emerged from a rough second half of the season, in which it went 1-3-1 after a 5-0-0 start, to shut out North Bay FC Wave and California Storm in last weekend's Pacific Conference finals.
“This year was a struggle,” Lane said. “We were kind of lacking a little bit of heart, and now we've come together at the right time and realized what were play for, and it's not only ourselves, but for each other and Ajax the team.”
THE FIELD: Boston Aztec Breakers Reserves is the favorite. The team, as its name suggests, is the reserve side for Women's Professional Soccer club Boston Breakers, and it has fielded several Breakers players this season: Jordan Angeli, Tiffany Weimer, Alyssa Naeher, Chioma Igwe, Allison Lipsher, Liz Bogus and Taryn Hemmings. Several others are on the roster.
Ajax America has two players with WPS experience: defender Christie Shaner, who played last season with Sky Blue FC and the L.A. Sol, and midfielder Keri Sanchez, who played for the Sol.
FC Milwaukee's and Oklahoma Alliance's rosters are drawn from local players.
“I have no idea of the teams there, but I'm assuming Boston will be strong,” Boswell said. “Hey, its our fifth final four in a row, so we know what it's about.”
WPSL FINAL FOUR
at Richardson, Texas
Saturday's semifinals
Ajax America (8-3-1) vs. Oklahoma Alliance (8-1-0)
Boston Aztec Breakers Reserves (10-1-1) vs. FC Milwaukee Nationals (9-1-1)
Sunday: Final and third-place game
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Scott French
Orange County native Scott French has been writing about soccer for more than 30 years for dozens of publications and Web sites. He was senior editor at Soccer America and was managing editor of MajorLeagueSoccer Magazine from April 2007 until summer 2009. He has covered three World Cups for the Long Beach Press-Telegram and Los Angeles Daily News, two Women's World Cups for Soccer America, the Olympic Games, European Championship, nine MLS Cups and all five professional women's championships.
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