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»

Born in Philadelphia, USA, O’Rourke made her professional debut with the W-League powerhouse FC Indiana in 2008, the club with which she won the W-League Central Conference Championship, reached the League Final, and won the US Open Cup in the same year. Her no-nonsense performances earned her the selection into the 2008 W-League Championship All-Tournament Team.

O’Rourke spent 2009 season being the vice-captain of another professional team in the USL W-League, the Buffalo Flash, whom she led to the play-off spot in their first year of existence. In addition to her stellar defensive work in midfield, she notched 3 goals and 4 assists in 14 games played.

Former North Carolina State University standout and team captain, O’Rourke most recently played for Sporting Huelva in the Spanish Superliga. She was selected by Chicago Red Stars in the inaugural Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) general draft.

Profile

Name: Jessica O’Rourke
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, USA
Date of Birth: January 3, 1986
Nationality: USA
Height: 1,68 m
Position: Midfielder
Preferred Foot: Right

Earlier this year, Yallop helped American Pali Blues win the second straight USL W-League Championship by beating Washington Freedom 2:1 in the final in Maryland. She recorded all-important assists in both Championship matches.

In addition to the League success, Yallop started every game for New Zealand Women’s National Team in 2009 earning her 30th cap and helping the Football Ferns achieve great results including the first ever victory on the European soil, solid performance against World power Japan, and reaching the semifinals at a strong Cyprus Women’s Cup in March.

Yallop will again be in action for her national team as New Zealand prepare to host Australia in a pair of friendlies on the 17 and the 20 of February in Auckland, and she will look to continue her club career in one of the professional teams in Europe or the USA.

See the full New Zealand football news release about the Lion Foundation Women’s League Final here:

2009 NZ Women’s League Final