April 17, 2012
SUPERGROUP COMES TOGETHER
Many former WPS stars to attend camp in Downingtown, Pa.

Tina DiMartino will be one of the former WPS players on hand for coach Paul Riley's first SUPERGROUP camp at United Sports Training Center in Downingtown, PA. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images

When Women's Professional Soccer suspended its 2012 season, the league's two-time coach of the year Paul Riley envisioned a way to keep some of the league's top players in tip-top form.

Modeled after the U.S. National Team’s residency camps, Riley devised the SUPERGROUP. Some two dozen players, almost all of whom have played in WPS, accepted invitations to the first SUPERGROUP camp, which will be held in Downingtown, Pa. at United Sports Training Center from April 16-22.

"It's a truly unique training program, bringing the top professionals in this country together for one week per month for each month of the year," said Riley. "We have created a tough, creative, competitive training environment where these elite professionals can test their strengths and work out on their weaknesses. During each SUPERGROUP there will be competitive games, where the best professionals can work their knowledge and ability together."

The players will take part in the two-a-day workouts that were a core component of the regimen that lifted Riley’s Philadelphia Independence to two straight league championship games. The players in each SUPERGROUP session also will conduct a pair of clinics for elite youth players, and next week’s SUPERGROUP will cap their week-long session with a game in the Headers for Hope Tournament in Germantown, Md. on Saturday, and a game against the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. on Sunday.

While most of the players will be playing for teams in the Women's Premier Soccer League or W-League this summer, Riley felt the intensity of the residency camp would be a way to keep players training at a high level, as well as keep fans interested in women's soccer.

"Long term we hope this will create many opportunities for young players to learn from these professionals during our clinics and camps," said Riley. "It also provides an opportunity to maintain a fan base for women's professional soccer and keep these super talented women in the mindset of soccer lovers. We will be touring around the country and every month different players will be enjoying the SUPERGROUP experience, which will combine great training, social interaction, and a program that embraces the female version of the beautiful game. Top players need to keep plying their trade and this provides an avenue for players to stay at the highest level and enjoy connectivity to the future young soccer professionals."

Player (Current team/previous team)
Michelle Betos NY Fury (WPSL Elite)/Boston Breakers (WPS)
Estelle Johnson NY Fury (WPSL Elite)/Philadelphia Independence (WPS)
Nikki Krzysik NY Fury (WPSL Elite)/Philadelphia Independence (WPS)
Brittany Taylor NY Fury (WPSL Elite)/Sky Blue FC (WPS)
Jen Buczkowski Chicago Red Stars (WPSL Elite)/Philadelphia Independence (WPS)
Allie Long NY Fury (WPSL Elite)/Paris Saint-Germain (France)/ Sky Blue FC (WPS)
Tina DiMartino NY Fury (WPSL Elite)/ Philadelphia Independence (WPS)
Merritt Mattias NY Fury (WPSL Elite)/ Philadelphia Independence (WPS)
Kelsey Hood New England Mutiny (WPSL Elite)
Sinead Farrelly Ottawa Fury (WPSL Elite)/ Philadelphia Independence (WPS)
Meghan Lencyk Ottawa Fury (W League)/Philadelphia Independence (WPS)
Jasmine Spencer NY Fury (WPSL Elite)/Philadelphia Independence (WPS)
Jazmyne Avant NY Fury (WPSL Elite)/ Philadelphia Independence (WPS)
Ashley Grove Rochester Ravens (W-League)
Kaitlyn Ryan, Villanova/Ottawa Fury (W-League)
Amanda Forrester, UNLV
Claire Zimmick, Boston Breakers (WPS)
Jess Hopton, LaSalle
Michele Dalton, U of Wisconsin