After a successful 2009 WPS Draft, the Freedom has filled all the roster slots—some with familiar faces.
Three former University of Virginia players—Becky Sauerbrunn, Sarah Huffman and Alex Singer—not only have experience playing together for the Cavaliers, but also for the Freedom.
"The benefit of drafting these players is that they are familiar with the Freedom’s style of play and what the staff’s expectations are," Head Coach Jim Gabarra said. "I think in the first season particularly in the first half it should be beneficial. For the long term vision of our club it is vital to continue to establish strong grassroots ties to the community as well."
Singer agrees it makes the transition easier.
"I think that Coach Gabarra’s approach of drafting previous Freedom players will benefit the team because we already are familiar with each other and how we play," she said.
Singer, Huffman and Sauerbrunn all played on the Freedom’s 2008 W-League team and enjoyed Gabarra’s unique coaching style.
"I love his emphasis on possession," Huffman said. "It’s the most fun style of soccer in my opinion. I also really appreciate Jim’s honesty as a coach. He is always straight forward and I like that. He creates a fun, yet professional environment."
Sauerbrunn added: "His style is about keeping the ball until the right moment arrives to attack. He emphasizes ball movement as well as runs off the ball. He wants his team to be organized defensively, creative on the offensive side and always disciplined. He encourages hard work and appreciates effort. He is very much a soccer coach, as opposed to a kick-and-run type of coach."
When it comes to the draft, all three trust that Gabarra’s style will create success.
"I think every player was drafted for a reason to build upon the foundation the coaching staff has been building for years," Huffman said. "We have some great players coming in to push our team to a whole new level."
Singer agrees the draft was a step in the right direction for the Freedom.
"The players that were recently drafted are all top quality players," Singer said. "We got Abby Wambach, Cat Whitehill and Briana Scurry. They will bring their experience to some of the younger players. They’ve played in front of huge crowds in the World Cups and Olympics, so they know how to handle pressure, and I think that they can lead in that way. Most of us have played together at some point or another in time, so there will already be good chemistry."
Experience combined with chemistry makes for a solid Freedom roster.
"There is going to be a lot more depth at every position," Sauerbrunn said. "I think the coaching staff tried very hard to pick players positionally so they can field a cohesive team. Every player brings something special to the table that makes everyone else better by having seen and played with it."
Each player also brings personal prior game experience to the Freedom.
Sauerbrunn played in the 2008 Nordic Cup (U-23). She has made two appearances with the full Women’s National Team and several youth national teams. Prior to coming to the Freedom, Sauerbrunn played with the Richmond Kickers. In the offseason she has been training with her former teammates at Virginia.
Huffman has been with the Freedom for two summers. She’s also had experience playing internationally for Norwegian club Roa IL and spent her offseasons training with them.
"It was an exciting experience for me," Huffman said. "Our team won the league and the cup finals. Over there I was a left forward, so I was pushed outside of my comfort zone and grew in many different ways both on and off the field."
Singer just finished her final season with the Virginia team.
"Playing at Virginia improved my game tremendously and helped me to be the player I am today," Singer said. "I got to play against the top college players, and I am really looking forward to playing professionally against some of the best players in the world in WPS."
She was introduced to the team her sophomore year when Virginia played the Freedom in the KICKS Against Breast Cancer Tournament.
"My coach, Steve Swanson, recommended that I play with the Freedom for the summer if I was serious about taking my game to the next level," Singer said. "I am really glad that I made the decision to join the team because it gave me the opportunity to train with top notch players, and also learn a lot from very knowledgeable coaches."
All three former Cavaliers are looking forward to playing together again—this time for the Freedom.
"It’s a long road and so many uncertainties with the start of a league," Huffman said. "It makes everything so exciting. With only seven teams, you know they will all be full of great players. But in the end, it will be the team that comes together the best that will have a heads up on the others—I find that challenge very exciting."
