Posted By: Rich Fernandez - Bay Area Sports Drive Soccer

Email: rfernandez@bayareasportsdrive.com

SANTA CLARA, CA- January 4, 2009- FC Gold Pride, the Bay Area franchise of Women's Professional Soccer announced today the signing of Brazilian Soccer standout Formiga, to a one-year contract.  FC Gold Pride selected Formiga as
the first overall draft pick at the WPS International Draft.

"With Formiga, we have signed the best midfielder in the world," said FCGold Pride Head Coach Albertin Montoya.  " She holds teams together.  Ispoke to several coaches from around the world before selecting her in the WPS international draft.  She is consistently regarded around the world as the engine of her team.  She embodies the heart and soul of the Brazilian
National team and we are looking forward to having her bring her talent and
passion to FC Gold Pride."

The 30 year old native of Sao Paulo, Brazil has been a constant presence on the Brazilian national team for 15 years, representing her country in four World Cup competitions (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007) and four Olympic tournaments (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008). The talented midfielder has been a leader and a catalyst for the marked rise of women's soccer in Brazil.  She has twice
helped Brazil reach the Olympic gold medal match (2004, 2008) and twice captured the Pan American Games Championship (2003, 2007), lifting her team to victory in 2003 by scoring the game-winning goal in the match.

Formiga, who currently resides in Brazil, will join her FC Gold Pride teammates in the Bay Area when the team opens training camp on March 1.

Fans won't want to miss a minute of the action as the Pride kicks off the inaugural WPS season at Buck Shaw Stadium at Santa Clara University on
Sunday, April 5.  The Pride will host 10 home games at Buck Shaw Stadium against the inaugural field of teams that includes: Boston Breakers, Chicago Red
Stars, Los Angeles Sol, Sky Blue FC (New York/New Jersey), St. Louis Athletica and Washington Freedom .

For more information on FC Gold Pride and to purchase season seats, visit fcgoldpride.com or call (408) 541-3511.
 

Formiga
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5'3"
Birth Date: Friday, March 03, 1978
Hometown: Águas de Lindóia, São Paulo, Brazil
College: -
Club: Botucatu
Country: Brazil
Caps:
Goals: Experience
WPS:

WPS playing rights obtained by Bay Area with the first pick in the WPS Initial International Draft.

International:

Silver Medalist at the 2008 and 2004 Olympic Games. Also participated in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games. Member of Brazil's 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007 FIFA World Cup teams. Won the 2003 Pan American Gold Medal, scoring a goal in the final match against Canada making the score 2-1. She was the 12th player on the FIFA World Player of the Year list in 2004.

Club:

Played for:
São Paulo (1993-1997, 1999)
Portuguesa (1998)
Santa Isabel (2000-2001)
Santos (2002)
Independente (2003)
Malmö DFF - Sweden’s Damallsvenskan ( 2004)
Malmö - Sweden’s Damallsvenskan (2005)
New Jersey Wildcats (2006)
Saad Esporte Clube (2007)
Botucatu (2008)