Rutgers Scarlet Knights Named to National Team Rosters
Oct 28 | Women's Soccer
Cancún, Mexico (Oct. 28, 2010) – Current and former Rutgers women’s soccer standouts have been named to 2010 national team rosters for Canada and the United States. Redshirt freshman Jonelle Filigno (Mississauga, ON, Canada) has been selected to the Canadian roster, while former All-American Carli Lloyd will be in the midfield for the US National Team. Former assistant coach Karina LeBlanc will be between the pipes for Team Canada.
The 2010 CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifier takes place in two stadiums in Cancún, Mexico from Oct. 28-Nov. 8. The eight-team competition will send both finalists to the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany, while the tournament’s third-place finisher will face the fifth-place team from Europe in a home-and-home and series for a final World Cup berth.
Canada kicks off the tournament Oct. 29 against Trinidad and Tobago. United States will face Haiti Oct. 28 at 8:30 p.m. ET at Estadio Quintana Roo. Fans can watch live via a free video web stream on CONCACAF.com (commentary will be in Spanish).
Filigno sits tied atop the Scarlet Knights with 12 points on four goals and four assists in 2010. She will be the second-youngest player on the Canadian National Team. The forward was named Canada’s U20 Player of the Year in 2008.
“What a great accomplishment for Jonelle,” said head coach Glenn Crooks. “She fought back from a serious knee injury last year and to get back to the form necessary to make the roster for the World Cup Qualifier, speaks volumes about how she has prepared and the work she has put in. While we will miss Jonelle, we are very happy for her. These moments are special for her, for the Canadians and for Rutgers.”
“Most importantly, it is such an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to represent your country at any time,” said Filigno. “It's an opportunity that not many people get, so I am truly grateful to be able to compete at the highest level and play against some of the best players in the world. I'm excited to continue learning and developing at this level. The best part is that I'm doing something I love so much.”
This will be Lloyd’s third World Cup qualifier – the third most caps of any member on the roster. The midfielder has one goal for the US this season. Lloyd was named the US Soccer Female Athlete of the Year after the 2008 Olympics where she scored the game-winning goal in Team USA’s 1-0 gold medal win over Brazil.
"It is an honor to represent my country playing a sport I love," said Lloyd. "Not everyone gets the chance to be able to do this, and I cherish each and every game I play with the USA Women's National Team."
LeBlanc will be the veteran of the squad, as she is the last active player from Canada’s victory 12 years ago at the 1998 CONCACAF Women’s Championship.
