SANTA CLARA, CA- FEBRUARY 26, 2009- FC Gold Pride, Bay Area franchise of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) announced today, the signing of Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) women’s all-time leading goal scorer, Christine Sinclair and Brazil’s young talent, Erika.

Sinclair is recognized as an international goal scoring threat. She was selected by FC Gold Pride with the first pick in the second round (eighth overall) of the WPS Initial International Draft. The imposing five-foot nine-inch forward has scored more goals than any other female footballer that has donned Canada’s uniform, with 95 career goals. She earned her first cap with the women’s senior national team in 2000, at the age of 16. Since then, she has risen to the highest ranks of women’s soccer, being honored by the CSA as its female Player of the Year in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. She was also recognized by FIFA as a finalist for the World Player of the Year for 2008, after leading her team to a quarter final appearance in the Beijing Games, the highest Canada’s women have finished in Olympic Soccer competition to date.

The Canadian striker brought her talent state-side for college, playing soccer for the University of Portland from 2001 through 2005, while earning a degree in Life Sciences. She captured the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy in 2004 and 2005, becoming only the third player in history to win in back-to-back years while also setting the NCAA Division 1 record for goals in a season with 39 in 2005.

Sinclair will captain her team in the upcoming Cyprus Cup tournament, March 5-12, as Canada attempts to defend its 2008 title, before joining the FC Gold Pride’s preseason camp on March 14.

FC Gold Pride also welcomes Brazilian footballer, Erika. At 21 years of age, she becomes the Pride’s youngest player on the roster. The strong and speedy midfielder brings with her years of international experience playing for Brazil’s youth national team in the 2004, 2006 and 2008 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup. She has also starred on the senior team, helping Brazil capture the silver medal in the 2008 Olympic Football tournament. Erika was selected by FC Gold Pride with the first pick of the fourth round (22nd overall) of the WPS Initial International Draft.

With these two signings, FC Gold Pride has now filled all five of its allotted international player roster spots, including Adriane (Brazil), Eriko Arakawa (Japan) and Formiga (Brazil) who have all previously signed with the Pride.

FC Gold Pride will open training camp on Monday, March 2 at De Anza College in Cupertino, CA with 28 players on the roster. The preseason schedule includes five exhibition matches against Cal, California Storm and WPS intrastate rival Los Angeles Sol.

Get ready for Opening Day! FC Gold Pride will kick off the 2009 WPS season on April 5th at home against the Boston Breakers at Buck Shaw Stadium on the campus of Santa Clara University. Individual-game tickets for all 10 Pride home games go on sale Monday, March 2 at 8 a.m. exclusively at fcgoldrpide.com.