Carli Lloyd in London at the Olympics 2012

Women's Soccer News: Carli Lloyd of the USWNT to address WNY Flash Youth Academy “Kickoff to Excellence” Event

The WNY Flash Academy is excited to announce that Carli Lloyd, U.S.Women's National Team player and winner of the 2012 Olympics Women’s Soccer Gold Medal in London will be attending the Academy’s inaugural season “Kickoff to Excellence” special event on Saturday, October 27^th, 2012 at 11:30am.

Between games of the U.S. National Team's 10 game Victory Tour, Carli Lloyd will head to Sahlen Sports Park, practice facility of the WNY Flash, to address the WNY Flash Academy players and their families.  

"It’s an honor to be invited to come speak at the Flash Academy Special Event. I look forward to coming to Sahlen Sports Park and sharing my story with all the aspiring players. It is going to be a great day," Carli Lloyd stated. 

Lloyd, a two time Olympic Gold Medalist, has 142 appearances for the U.S. National Team, scoring 42 goals. The Rutgers University alumnus played professionally in the WPS for Sky Blue FC, the Chicago Red Stars, and the Atlanta Beat. Lloyd, 30, scored two goals to help lead the U.S. to a Gold Medal Final in the London Olympics in August.

The attacking center midfielder also scored the game winning goal in the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal Final against Brazil.  Carli will address all Academy players, parents and family before they gather for a meet and greet lunch for the Academy families at the Sahlen’s Sports Park Facility in Elma, NY.

The newly developed Academy program comes on the heels of the WNY Flash's third consecutive championship, the second year of the Euro Champions and 12th year of the Champions League at Sahlen Sports Park.  

WNY Flash with Coach Aaron Lines at the WPSL Elite Championship

"We have always considered ourselves at the forefront of youth soccer in the area from the day that we opened. We have continued to upgrade our staff to meet the demands of the community and our patrons and are excited to be committing ourselves year round to the development of youth players in the area professionally," Sahlen Sports Park President Alex Sahlen states.

Director of Coaching Aaran “Kiwi” Lines' program is focused on developing youth players who aspire to play at an elite level. With the assistance of Pedro M. Losa, Advanced Training Instructor brought to the U.S. from Spain, players will advance their skills, learn teamwork and good sportsmanship while participating in indoor and outdoor leagues and tournaments.

The developmental Academy will implement U.S. Soccer's age-specific curriculum, ensuring that players gain the appropriate skills needed to play at this advanced level.  “Because of the relationships I have developed within the professional soccer community over many years, I have a unique opportunity to draw knowledgeable and experienced coaches and players to help deliver the highest quality of training in an unrivaled environment,”  Academy Director of Coaching and WNY Flash Head Coach Aaran Lines says.

About the WNY Flash: The WNY Flash joined Women’s Professional Soccer as an expansion club in September of 2010, directly following the club’s decisive W-League Championship as the Buffalo Flash in July of 2010. After the WPS suspended operations for the 2012 season, the Flash joined the WPSL Elite League along with the Boston Breakers. The Flash posted an 11-2-3 record (36 points) season, capturing the WPSL-Elite League Championship 2012 title.