Cox becomes the 10th player signed for the Sounders Women with international soccer experience. She will be available for seven of the Sounders Women 10 home matches.
Tukwila, WA – Sounders Women announced today the signing of World Cup veteran, Stephanie Cox for the 2012 season. Cox becomes the tenth player signed for the Sounders Women with international soccer experience. She will be available for seven of the Sounders Women ten home matches.
Stephanie Cox, a defender, has 81 caps for the U.S. Women’s National Team. After captaining the U.S. U-20 team in the 2006 World Championships, she went on to solidify herself in the full national team. With Team USA, she started every game in the 2007 World Cup, helped the U.S. win the 2008 Olympics, and then played a key role for the 2011 World Cup in Germany.
Sounders Women Head Coach, Michelle French said, “Stephanie’s vision and service from the back has proven to be an invaluable tool for the National Team over the past few years.”
Cox becomes the third University of Portland alum to join the Sounders.
"I am so excited to be a part of the Sounders program,” Stephanie Cox said. “I have lived in the Seattle area in Gig Harbor for the past four years after my graduation from the University of Portland. I loved playing collegiately in the Northwest and am excited to continue my professional career here as well.”
While at the University of Portland, Cox’s 2005 team when undefeated and won the ‘05 NCAA National Championship. During that time she also competed for the U-19 and U-20 U.S. National Teams.
Coach French said, “Signing successful, committed players from the Northwest is huge for the development of our Sounder Women's team. Stephanie will be a natural leader and a fantastic ambassador for the Sounders and the Northwest soccer community.”
“This area feels like home now and I am proud to be able to play in front of my local family, friends, and fans,” Cox said. “I look forward to some good games and a quality experience with a very talented team and coaching staff."
Stephanie spent the last two club seasons playing in the WPS. In 2009 she was allocated to the LA Sol, where she played every minute of the 19 matches. In 2010 she signed with the Boston Breakers. With Boston, she led the Breakers in minutes played with 2,038 during the regular season and was the only player to play more than 2,000 minutes.
Cox’s signing is pending USSF approval, per usual for professional players signing zero dollar contracts.
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Sounders Women General Manager, Amy Carnell, commented on the state of the Seattle Sounders Women after yet another big signing:
“Early on we told fans this would be a special season for Sounders Women’s Soccer, but speaking boldly, this season is about much more. As the future of women’s soccer hangs in the balance we’ve got a lot at stake, and everything to prove. We have the opportunity to set the bar for Women’s Soccer in this country and show that Seattle is a place where a 10 year old girl can dream, where women’s sport is valued, and where a community with such passion for the game can actually change it.”
The Sounders Women kick off the season on April 9th at Starfire Sports Stadium in Tukwila, WA. Tickets to watch the Sounders Women are going fast, but they are still available. Reserve your seat at SoundersWomen.com!
