LTA Agency » WPS

Interview: Borkowski on Women’s Soccer in the US

admin — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:37:23 +0000

LTA caught up with Shek Borkowski, an outspoken former USA Women’s Premier Soccer League Champion and US Open Cup Winner with FC Indiana, and the only US coach to date to coach in the UEFA Champions League on his thoughts about recent US Women’s Soccer setbacks.

LTA: You have been a long time critic of US Soccer. Why?
SB: Because the federation is guilty of mismanagement when it comes to women’s football.

LTA: In what way?
SB: Their mission statement is to “develop soccer at all recreational and competitive levels.” Ask any WPS, W-League, or WPSL club in the country if they have received any assistance in infrastructure development or player development. MLS lost money for years, and US Soccer directly or through its influence subsidized it for years. Do you think they will support and rescue the WPS? The federation has been a beneficiary of the NCAA generosity in facilities development and player development. Imagine where the sport would be today if it wasn’t for the NCAA? US Soccer has done nothing for female players and infrastructure development for female players.

LTA: But we understand that US Soccer is financially supporting WPS, isn’t it?
SB: No, they are subsidizing part of WNT players salaries.

LTA: Why do you think US Soccer is not doing enough to support women’s soccer?
SB: You must realize that US Soccer is an administrative and representative arm of Soccer United Marketing. As such it focuses on the men’s game and simply does enough to keep the women’s side quiet. Today, US Soccer, outside of WNT, spends less per registered female player than the Football Association of Chile. Ask successful women’s clubs like Ajax America or New Jersey Wildcats how it benefits them to be affiliated with US Soccer. Right now, ask FC Gold Pride how it helped them being affiliated with US Soccer. Do you think what happened to FC Gold Pride would be permitted to happen to LA Galaxy? And LA has lost a lot more money than FC Gold Pride ever would. If you are an investor in the men’s game you will be subsidized when needed. Not so on the women’s side.

LTA: What can be done to change this?
SB: Nothing will be changed because change would require difficult decisions, choices and action by those involved with and fans of the women’s game. Those involved in women’s football in general are content with being neglected and being taken advantage of. It will continue.

LTA: Can you be more specific?
SB: US Soccer, SUM and their partners are interested in the bottom line, so all of us involved in women’s football would need to impact it negatively by boycotting Nike, Adidas, Gatorade, and other US Soccer partners. Don’t support the MLS. Demand that US Soccer spends at least 33% of their budget on women’s football development, supporting women’s leagues, clubs, creating infrastructure and long term player development. Without financial pressures there will be no change. But I just can’t imagine that women’s teams – youth, high school, college, W-League or WPSL would stop buying Nike or Adidas products. Can you imagine, for the good of women’s football, any US WNT players refusing Nike or Adidas endorsements? Not a chance. All involved in the women’s game are content to get the crumbs, and that is why the situation is getting worse.

LTA: But for Nike and other US Soccer partners it has to make business sense to invest in women’s soccer, doesn’t it?
SB: I agree, and that is why we need to demonstrate to them why it is a smart BUSINESS decision to support women’s football and a poor BUSINESS decision to ignore it. Companies like Nike spend more money on one basketball athlete than on entire women’s football in the country.

LTA: You must admit that basketball is entirely different from women’s soccer.
SB: Of course, but it wasn’t so in the 70s. It took a leap of faith for a number of companies to support and grow the NBA and look where it is now. The same is required for WPS, but we will have to press, and we must start with US Soccer.

Del Rio’s Goal – Top 2 in WPS!

admin — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 07:30:01 +0000

LTA Agency’s Spanish international striker Laura Del Rio was recognized for scoring one of the most beautiful goals of the recently completed 2010 season in the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league in the US.

The left-footed first touch cracker Del Rio scored against the inaugural WPS Champions Sky Blue FC came at number 2 of the top 10 goals of the 2010 season. In August 15 home match against the New Jersey outfit, Del Rio playing for Boston Breakers picked up the rebound from her own cross and sent a scorching shot into the top corner of the net past helpless Sky Blue goalkeeper Jenni Branam. This goal completed Boston’s 4:0 rout of New Jersey.

See the video of all WPS Top Ten Goals of 2010 here:

Il Bomber Panico Joins WPS!

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:45:26 +0000

LTA Agency is delighted to announce that another player represented by the agency will join Women’s Professional Soccer league in the USA. Italian Women’s National Team Captain, Patrizia Panico will sign for none other than defending WPS Champions Sky Blue FC from New York.

One of the best pure goalscorers in the world Panico has recorded close to 500 tallies over her illustrious career both in Italy and internationally. She has been the “capocannoniere” (best goalscorer) of the Italian Serie A 9 times, won 6 Italian Championships, 4 Coppa Italia, and 4 Italian Supercups. She has just wrapped up another scudetto with her most recent club ASD Torres CF of Sassari.

The Roman born and the ardent Lazio supporter, Panico has been just as clinical on the European and World stage. She has scored 42 goals in 64 games in official UEFA competitions, reached UEFA Champions League Semifinals on two occasions, and also played in the final of the UEFA European Women’s Championship. She has a unique achievement of scoring a hat-trick against Germany in the last official qualifying game that Germany failed to win (4:4 tie in 1999). She scored three goals in three games at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 1999 in the USA.

“Patrizia brings a special combination of qualities to Sky Blue FC – experience, a proven record in the international arena and a great force for us up front,” General Manager Gerry Marrone commented. “She is an exciting player and someone we have been looking at for a long time. In addition, she will be a great draw for the large and passionate community of Italian soccer fans in our area.”

Panico, nicknamed “the Scorpion” for her ability to strike goals quickly and lethally, is expected to join her new team following the crucial World Cup qualifiers with Italy against Slovenia and Finland later this month. She becomes the first Italian in WPS, and her signing follows in line with LTA’s motto “ingen grænser” (no borders) as the agency continues to broaden the range of countries of women’s football players represented in the best league in the world following the signing of the first Spanish player in Laura Del Rio by Boston Breakers.

Read the official Sky Blue FC press release on Panico’s signing here:

Sky Blue FC Signs Italian National Team Captain Patrizia Panico

Profile

Name: Patrizia Panico
Place of Birth: Rome, Italy
Date of Birth: February 8, 1975
Nationality: Italy
Height: 1,64 m
Position: Forward
Preferred Foot: Right
Current Club: Sky Blue FC NY/NJ
League: Women’s Professional Soccer, USA
National Team Caps: 145
National Team Goals: 79

Laura Del Rio Signs with Boston Breakers

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:05:34 +0000

LTA’s Spanish international forward Laura Del Rio has signed a contract with Boston Breakers of the USA Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS).

Madrid-born striker has recently completed the first round of the Frauen-Bundesliga in Germany with 1. FFC Frankfurt where she scored 8 goals in 13 appearances in League and Cup matches. The Breakers agreed to terms with Del Rio after her negotiating rights were acquired from the now-disbanded Los Angeles Sol for a third round draft pick in the 2010 WPS Draft.

Del Rio returns to the US where she spent two seasons with FC Indiana of the USL W-League. In 2008 Del Rio was FC Indiana’s top scorer with 15 goals and 13 assists, leading her team to the W-League Central Conference Championship, W-League National Championship Final, and the US Open Cup crown. In her 2009 campaign, the Spanish striker was first in the league with 18 goals and 4 assists and was named to the 2009 W-League All-League Team and the 2009 All-Central Conference Team.

In Boston, Del Rio will join such world-class players as Kristine Lilly, who is the most capped women’s or men’s football player in the history of the sport, as well as the finalist for this year’s FIFA World Player of the Year and England National Team Captain Kelly Smith. The coach of the team is the former FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games winning coach with the USA Women’s National Team – Tony Di Cicco.

Laura Del Rio becomes the first player from Spain, and the first player represented by LTA Agency in what is arguably one of the top two Women’s Leagues in the world.

Boston Breakers News Release:
Breakers Sign Del Rio

Boston Breakers Player Profile Page:
Breakers Del Rio Profile

Marca Article:
Laura del Río deja Alemania para volver a Estados Unidos

AS Article:
Laura del Río ficha por el Boston

FutFem News Article:
Laura del Río vuelve a EEUU

FutFem Del Rio Interview:
Laura del Río: «Si me hubiera quedado en España esto no podría haber sucedido»

Tête à tête with Shek Borkowski

admin — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:52:19 +0000

LTA Agency client and Zvezda-2005 (Russia) head coach Shek Borkowski has won 2 league titles and 2 cup titles in America with FC Indiana. His teams defeated World Cup participants Australia and New Zealand, beat WPS Chicago Red Stars and narrowly lost by a late own goal to the WPS inaugural champions Sky Blue FC. The teams coached by Borkowski have so far never lost by more than one goal. He has coached 28 internationals from 19 countries. He gave this interview to lta-agency.com on the eve of the new 2010 season.

LTA: You have been successful in America, why move to Russia? Why now?
SB: I need to improve as a coach and that can only come from operating outside of my comfort zone. I have coached the same club for 6 years, and it was time for a change and a new challenge. The league where FC Indiana competes is going through changes, and when the opportunity presented itself, I decided to take it. As all coaches I want to coach against the best, I want to challenge my players and myself.

LTA: What are your goals in Russia and what do you want to achieve as a coach in general?
SB: Short term I want to win the Russian League and the Cup, and the UEFA Women’s Champions
League. Ultimately, I want to coach in the Women’s World Cup and win it.

LTA: Those are very ambitious goals, are they realistic?
SB: With commitment and hard work anything is possible. Specifically in Russia, the talent is here. What is missing is the focus and the approach. When I take on a task, I do it to the best of my ability and aim as high as possible. If I didn’t dream about winning the World Cup or that goal was unattainable for me, I would not coach. Winning it all in women’s football is what drives me to go across the world to coach.

LTA: Can you achieve your goals at Zvezda?
SB: Why not? In Stanislav Kharitonov I have an opportunity to work with one of the best football executives in Europe. He has a good vision, wants to win and be the best, and takes care of the finer details. He is one of the reasons I am in Russia.

LTA: Your thoughts on Russia’s performance in the Euro 2009 in Finland?
SB: They underperformed because they lacked experience at this level and conceded very poor goals. Take for example all three goals conceded against England. Very poor from Russia’s perspective. But there is great latent potential. Russia really is at a very unique point in time as far as women’s football goes. The next three years can really help them arrive internationally. Four years ago Russia won the U19 Euros. That generation of players will be reaching footballing maturity in 3-4 years time, and they represent Russia’s best chance for international success. And make no mistake, they have the quality necessary to compete against Germany and USA, no doubt in my mind.

LTA: What are your thoughts about women’s football in Europe?
SB: The level is excellent. Clearly, Germany is at the forefront of development of the game and has excellent women’s football infrastructure and environment. Having said that, I believe that Russia right now has a very unique opportunity to gain ground on both Germany and USA.

LTA: Some would say that before catching up to Germany and USA, Russia needs to catch up to Sweden, don’t you think?
SB: No, Sweden have reached their peak both in terms of their national team and Damallsvenskan, and I think you will see countries such as Russia, France, Holland, England pass them by. The opportunity is certainly there.

LTA: You have coached 28 internationals from 19 countries, does anyone stand out?
SB: No, all players have unique character traits and footballing abilities, and I treat them all equally. I ask for excellence and commitment in every training session and match, and when they deliver, we get along fine.

LTA: The biggest difference in coaching in America and in Europe?
SB: [pause] There is no promotion/relegation in America so there is very little pressure. You can lose and there are minimal consequences for clubs. In Europe top clubs can’t afford to drop points, quality, and consistency is required for success.

LTA: You have some critics in America who say that you can be difficult.
SB: [Laughs] Who said I am difficult? Probably owners and coaches of teams I beat. My wife thinks I am nice. All joking aside, too many people confuse charisma with quality. As a coach I have to recognize qualities in players and have to have my tactics right in every match. Coaches do not have to be liked. They have to be respected but not liked, especially by opponents [laughs]. Respect comes from quality training, discipline, and winning. I interact or socialize with players very little off the field. Coaching is a results oriented business, and I don’t get paid for being a pen pal. I get paid for results; that’s why I am here in Russia.

LTA: As a coach, do you get the best out of all your players and what can Zvezda players expect?
SB: Without a doubt. I will get them to perform at a level they didn’t think it was possible for them to perform. All Zvezda players who will be in my top 11 will be good enough to be in Russia’s top 11.

LTA: You went out of the UEFA Champions League on goal difference. That must have been a disappointment for the club and for you?
SB: Yes, but from day one our focus was on 2010 after I had a chance to bring in my players, staff, methods, and philosophy.

LTA: Thank you for your time and good luck in the new season in Russia!
SB: Thank you. I can’t wait to start our pre-season next month.