Bay Area Team Goes Brazilian Twice

   “Formiga is very hard to mark and defend and plays soccer like a man.  She’s very strong, fast, has great field vision and sees the entire field which allows her to attack and pinpoint weakness in any defense."

-Sissi on Formiga

By: Rich Fernandez - Bay Area Sports Drive Soccer

Email: rfernandez@bayareasportsdrive.com

The Bay Area team of the new Women’s Professional Soccer league doesn’t currently have a name or place to call their home field, but what they do have are committed owners, two outstanding coaches and a roster that looks to do some damage once they start play come April 2009.  Through the US Women’s National Team allocation draft, WPS Initial International Draft, the WPS General Draft and the Post-Draft Discovery Player selection the Bay Area team has fielded a complete roster addressing every position on the Soccer Pitch.   

Recently I had a chance to chat with Assistant Coach Sisleide Lima do Amor, who’s known to the soccer world as “Sissi”, and get her perspective on the draft, the Brazilian players selected and what her plans are.  Being a big fan of the Brazilian style of play I was excited when they used the first pick of the International draft to pick Formiga.  Back in Brazil Sissi had played with Formiga on the Brazilian National Team, and I’m quite sure she used her first hand knowledge of Formiga to help make the decision to draft her first an easy one.  In the forth round of the International Draft they selected another Brazilian, Erica.  

“I think Formiga is one of the best soccer players in the world and I’m very happy that we had a chance to pick her.  She’s also my favorite player from Brazil , I’ve known her since the age of twelve back in Brazil .  I think she’ll bring desire, determination and hard work but the most important thing is that she’s a team player” explained Sissi.  “Formiga as a player is very unselfish and like I said a true team player” she continued.  

Formiga is a force on the field, when the U.S. Women’s National Team played Brazil in the last World Cup she along with Marta gave the US defense fits.  With her stellar play, Brazil ousted the US 4-0 and moved onto the Championship Game vs. Germany . 

 “Formiga is very hard to mark and defend and plays soccer like a man.  She’s very strong, fast, has great field vision and sees the entire field which allows her to attack and pinpoint weakness in any defense.  Her ball skills are second to none and she has command of the middle of the field” said Sissi with excitement.  “When Formiga started playing she was a forward, but has moved and settled into the middle of the field and is one of best at her position in the world” Sissi added.   

How would the two new Brazilian players adjust to moving to the U.S. and playing soccer in the Bay Area?  As a player first coming here to the US after being drafted by the WUSA San Jose CyberRays, Sissi was instantly home sick and almost didn’t make it here.  Are there plans by the Bay Area team to make the transition for international players smoother than what she experienced back in 2001?

 “The language was the hardest by far!”  Sissi said.  “I almost went back home three weeks into my stay because I missed home so much,” Sissi went on to explain.  “I walked off the plane and didn’t speak a word of English.  Slowly I learned, but I was homesick for quite some time.”  How did she finally get comfortable with her new surroundings?  “For me it wasn’t easy at all, but I had great support from my teammates and from the community.  For these players coming in the language, especially for the Brazilian’s, will be a challenge but they’ll have me so it’ll certainly make them more comfortable.  I’m going to be their big sister while they are here!” 

 Erica, the other Brazilian player selected by the team, is younger and has less experience than Formiga, but Sissi was very excited when she was still on the board when the team was picking in Round 4 of the International Draft. 

 “Erica is young and is somewhat timid, and a bit scared about the whole ordeal of having to come to the U.S.  I told her not to worry because I’ll take care of her and be there to watch over her.  This alone is more than what I had when I first came” Sissi explained.  “Erica is something special on the field; she’s eager to play but is worried about the language and communicating once she’s here.  I think she’s starting to learn English back in Brazil , and once she can communicate she’ll relax and fit right in.  I’m not worried about her skills and ability to play, I just want to try and make her transition as smooth as possible here in the U.S.  With Formiga, I know she played back on the East Coast with the New Jersey Wildcats back in 2006 so she knows what to expect and is more prepared.”

How did Head Coach Albertin Montoya, Sissi and the entire Bay Area organization come up with their long list of players they were interested in drafting? 

 “As an organization we were five months behind every other team in the league, so we had to catch up really fast and prepare for the various stages of the draft” she said with a laugh.  She added “We had individuals in the league and in the front office give us a list of different player names.  Basically the list consisted of players who were available and not under a current contract with another league or team and who expressed an interest to actually come play in the league once they were drafted.”

 Of course some of the most important things to consider were if drafted would the player sign with the team?  “We drafted players who we felt would sign with us once they’ve been drafted.  Why draft a player who you couldn’t sign?  We of course made our decision based on the Head Coach and his mentality and the style of soccer that we want to see our team playing” she added.  “Our philosophy is speed, attacking ability, ball skills and players who are team oriented and coachable.”

When asked if the Brazilian style of play will be showcased by the team Sissi answered, “Maybe.”

What does the future hold for Sissi the soccer player?  Has she hung up her cleats for good?  Will we be blessed with ‘The Queen of Soccer’ taking the field in the WPS for one last chance to play at the highest level of women’s soccer in the world? 

 “You know how much I love soccer!  I want to give it one more year or more, play and retire at the highest level.  I know I can still play with the best in the world.  I want to play, it is in my blood!  I am working to stay fit and continue to train.  I know I am older but I still have what it takes to contribute something. If it is on the pitch I will be blessed! If it is from the coaching side, I will be blessed as well. I want to be there for the team in any way I can.  I’m already honored with the chance that Albertin is giving me, and you can bet that I’ll be ready when called upon.  Soccer is in my blood and I’ll continue to play where ever and whenever I can.”

You can bet that whatever role Sissi is called upon to perform for the Bay Area team she'll give it everything she has to make the team successful both on and off the field.  She’s an extremely hardworking woman who continues to give more and more of herself to others.  I’ve said it before, her heart and genuine care for others is bigger and kinder than most.  Her care for others and willingness to give of herself to assist others has many times pushed and pulled her in many different directions but she continues to be there for others, it's just who she is.  I’ve always asked her how she does it.  How does she be a mother, FIFA Ambassador, Club Coach, College and now Professional Soccer Coach?  She truly is amazing!

 “Everyday I say thank you to God for giving me the chance to do all of these things.  He’s blessed me my whole life starting when I was seven years old back in Brazil .  When I look back and think about my journey in life, I can’t believe how fortunate and blessed I’ve been.  Of course I have the support from my family and without them I’m not sure any of this would of ever been possible” Sissi went on to say.  

What kind of advice does Sissi have for these newly drafted players for the Bay Area team?  “Be positive, bring all of your energy and desire to this team and remember that this will be a great live experience for you!” she said.

For Sissi and Head Coach Montoya they still have another draft and a College Showcase to help round out their roster.  For those players already selected by the team it's now up to those players and their agents to get the contracts signed with the team.  She’s confident this will get done with all of the players and thinks they are looking at training camp around February 2009.  She’s not real sure about the actual timeline for camp but is extremely happy with their picks thus far. 

For more information on the Bay Area team of the WPS go to:  http://www.womensprosoccer.com/bayarea/?team=bayarea

Special thanks to Sissi for making this article possible.  

NOTE:  Information obtained via an interview with Sissi

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