Elizabeth Lambert has been vilified in the media and on the internet. She is infamous for the rough play during a soccer match that was caught on tape and that went viral on the internet. In her first public statement since the game and since being suspended, Elizabeth Lambert expressed her regret:

“… “I still deeply regret it and will always regret it and will carry it through the rest of my life not to retaliate,” said Lambert, a 20-year-old junior on scholarship.

She has watched the video a handful of times and does not recognize herself pulling down Brigham Young’s Kassidy Shumway, Lambert said.”

link: Those Soccer Plays, in Context

While the responsibility for the behaviour ultimately rests with Elizabeth Lambert, she was not protected by her coach, Kit Vela. Surely, her coach could see that the play was deteriorating on the field. The coach did not substitute for Elizabeth Lambert or take steps to protect both her player and the Brigham Young players. It is her responsibility as a coach to do so. If the reason for the lack of action on the part of the coach was that she was not aware of the tactics being used on the field, then she should not be coaching.

Catherine Forsythe

The fallout from Elizabeth Lambert’s play and suspension continues. The responsibility ultimately may fall on Elizabeth Lambert but there are others who must share in the abhorrent play:

“… Tony DiCicco, who coached the United States to the 1999 Women’s World Cup title, said he doubted Lambert was the only one playing roughly. He questioned the vigilance of the referee Joe Pimentel, who issued only a late yellow-card warning to Lambert for tripping, and the apparent inaction of New Mexico Coach Kit Vela to restrain Lambert.

“I’m put off by what she did, I’m put off that the refereeing didn’t seem to recognize this, and I’m put off a little by the coaching,” said DiCicco, who now coaches the Boston Breakers of Women’s Professional Soccer.”

link to the article by Jere Longman for The New York Times

additional link:  Reaction to soccer player’s ponytail pull all too typical

additional link:  Reaction to Lambert “sock-her” video revealing

The infamous soccer incident has made Elizabeth Lambert notorious for her on-field tactics. For her numerous physical infractions, she was suspended by her school, the University of New Mexico.

Her coach made this statement:

“… “Liz is a quality student-athlete, but in this instance, her actions clearly crossed the line of fair play and good sportsmanship,” New Mexico coach Kit Vela said.”

link: New Mexico suspends apologetic, hair-pulling women’s soccer player

Kit Vela is an experienced soccer coach. She must have realized what was happening during the game. For that, she bears some responsibility. She could have stopped Ms Lambert from possibly causing serious injury. If Kit Vela did not know that this was happening on the field, then she should be removed from her coaching position.

As a coach who knows and who works extensively with her players, Kit Vela should know how each player approaches the game. It is her responsibility as the leader of this group to protect her players from unbecoming behaviour. Elizabeth Lambert’s transgressions were many. Kit Vela allowed it to continue and that is disappointing.

Catherine Forsythe

additional links:  New Mexico Soccer Player suspended; Elizabeth Lambert threw fists, pulled hair

additional link:  Soccer player suspended as video of rough game goes viral

additional link:  Lambert’s coach should have benched her at first infraction

The coach of the BYU women’s soccer team, Jennifer Rockwood, responded to the rough play of Elizabeth Lambert in the game against the University of New Mexico:

“… The outburst earned Lambert nation-wide notoriety and an indefinite suspension from her team.

Saturday, BYU coach Jennifer Rockwood said in such a physical, competitive game, it’s easy for players to get carried away.

“Some unfortunate things happen in games. A lot of emotions are high, these girls are playing hard, there’s a lot in play and a lot on the line,” she said.”

link:  BYU coach reacts to rough UNM play

Ms Rockwood’s comments are mild. The play of Elizabeth Lambert has been criticized widely. It could have caused one of the BYU players serious injury. Perhaps it is protective of the opposing coaching to take the stance that Ms Rockwood has. “Some unfortunate things happen in games” but it is also a coach’s responsibility to be candid and protect her players.

Catherine Forsythe

It is evident to ESPN soccer analyst and former international star, Julie Foudy, that the play was excessively rough. It could have caused serious injury. The play of Elizabeth Lambert of the University of New Mexico was caught on tape:

“… The most flagrant moment occurred when New Mexico defender Elizabeth Lambert grabbed Cougar forward Kassidy Shumway’s hair and yanked her violently to the turf inside the 18-yard box.

As a result, New Mexico soccer coach Kit Vela suspended Lambert indefinitely. She is prohibited from participating in all team practices, competition and conditioning activities.”

link:  New Mexico player suspended after game skirmishes

The video is disconcerting.

Catherine Forsythe

[Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images]

The Sky Blue FC is adding key players during the off-season to defend its WPS championship. Earlier this week, there was the announcement that Carli Lloyd has joined the Sky Blue FC. Now there is an announcement of the signing of a well known defender, Daphne Koster:

“Defending Women’s Professional Soccer champion Sky Blue FC made official today the signing of Dutch National Team captain Daphne (Daf-nuh) Koster, becoming the first Dutch player to play in WPS. Koster adds another proven champion to the Sky Blue FC defense, as the central defender has been a member of nine championship clubs in her native Netherlands.

“Daphne Koster is internationally experienced, and she will be a great addition to our defensive line,” Sky Blue FC head coach Pauliina Miettinen commented. “She played extremely well at the European Championships and was one of the backbones of the Netherlands defense, overall one of the best defenders in the tournament. Daphne is very versatile player with an ability to read the game well, and she is also a leader on and off the field.”

link to the Sky Blue FC Press Release

With this signing, Sky Blue FC adds experience and leadership to its roster. Further, it will expose the team to a European influence as the team begins its title defense.

Catherine Forsythe

[Photo via Newscom]

Carli Lloyd scored the winning goal against Brazil in the Olympic finals. That was the goal that secured the gold medal for the United States. Now Carli Lloyd will join some familiar national team members as part of the Sky Blue FC:

“… Lloyd, the Delran native and former Rutgers University All-American, agreed Monday to terms with Women’s Professional Soccer champion Sky Blue FC less than three weeks after opting to leave the Chicago Red Stars and become a free agent.

“There’s nothing better than coming back home,” Lloyd said via conference call. “I’m coming to a team that has already accomplished so much, overcoming the obstacles they did. It’s a fantastic organization and I want to help them win another championship.”

link to the article by Frank Giase

additional link:  Lloyd, Olympic soccer hero, to play in N.J.

additional link:  Carli Lloyd returns to New Jersey

[Photo via Newscom Photo via Newscom]

Karina LeBlanc is one of the premier goalkeepers in the world. Her experience includes a decade on Canada’s national soccer team, appearances at World Cups and play at the Olympics.

Now she is proving to be an outstanding player in the Women’s Professional Soccer league (WPS):

“… She led the WPS in five of the seven goalkeeping categories in the league’s inaugural season, including most shutouts (12), most wins (11), best goals-against average (.53), best win percentage (.71) and best save percentage (.89). She was also among the starting 11 voted to the all-star team by fans, players, media and team coaches.”

link:  Canadian LeBlanc shines in women’s pro soccer league

What is remarkable is that, in 2004, Karina LeBlanc had a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) knee injury. The posterior cruciate ligament is one of four connective tissues to stabilize the knee. Because of its location, the PCL is notoriously difficult to repair. It is understandable that her doctor may have speculated that the injury would end LeBlanc’s soccer career.

Karina LeBlanc not only recovered from that injury. She continues to play soccer at the highest level and she excels.

Catherine Forsythe

Christie Rampone, captain of the US Women’s National Soccer team, is also a defender for the Sky Blue FC in addition to being their coach.

She is also pregnant:

“… Rampone, who is nearly three months pregnant, recently competed in two playoff games and the championship game. She played 90 minutes in each.”

link:  Sky Blue player/coach Rampone to be mom again

Christie Rampone plans to be back to professional soccer next year. The baby is due in March 2010, and Women’s Professional Soccer will begin again in April.

Don’t be surprised to see Christie Rampone back on the soccer pitch in the early season.

Congratulations, Christie!

Catherine Forsythe

[Photo By Grant Halverson/Getty Images]

Billy Witz covers the WPS championship game in The New York Times:

Last Laugh and Trophy are Prizes for Sky Blue

“Gathering atop a platform at midfield, the Sky Blue F.C. players wrapped their arms around one another and wore the same smiles they had worn all season whenever something — or was it everything — had gone wrong.

“With a 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Sol, delivered by an early goal by Heather O’Reilly, a back line led by the defender-coach Christie Rampone and a red card to Sol defender Allison Falk, Sky Blue turned its ridiculous season sublime. . .”

Read more: Billy Witz