Bradenton Athletics were a professional American women's soccer team based in Bradenton, Florida. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, then the premier women's soccer league in the United States and Canada, from 2004 to 2008, when they folded.[1] They played in the Atlantic Division of the W-League's Eastern Conference.[2] The head coach from 2004 until its end in 2008 was Derek Leader.[3]

Bradenton Athletics
Full nameBradenton Athletics
Nickname(s)The A's
Founded2004
GroundIMG Soccer Academy
Capacity1,500
ChairmanUnited States Amanda Gatchel
ManagerUnited States Derek Leader
LeagueUSL W-League
20088th, Atlantic Division

The team was associated with the IMG Soccer Academy, the United States Soccer Federation's full-time youth residency program, which itself is part of the larger IMG Academies organization initiated by tennis coach Nick Bollettieri in 1978.[citation needed] They played their home games at the IMG Soccer Academy's stadium in Bradenton.[citation needed] The team was a sister organization of the men's Bradenton Academics team, which plays in the USL Premier Development League.[citation needed] Their colors were blue, gold and black.

2008 roster

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
0 GK   USA Annamarie Ditommaso
1 GK   USA Shannon Aitken
3 DF   USA Catherine Liebbrandt
4 FW   USA Annie Stalzer
5 MF   USA Madison Solow
6 MF   USA Elizabeth Ruberry
7 DF   USA Michaela Hornstein
8 MF   USA Lauren Switzer
9 FW   USA Erin Adams
10 FW   USA Megan Manthey
11 DF   USA Whitney Colburn
12 DF   USA Jessica Bartol
14 FW   USA Martha Hall
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 MF   USA Marissa Kazbour
16 DF   USA Jessica Martinek
17 DF   USA Kayla Sisco
18 MF   USA Anna Kaye Logan
19 DF   USA Caitlin Howard
21 MF   USA Nicole DeJongh
23 DF   USA Sarah Wagenfuhr
24 MF   USA Erika Tymrak
MF   USA Morgan Fragapane
GK   USA Erica Lippitt
MF   USA Amanda Morris
DF   USA Brittany Putnam
MF   USA Jessica Wolfe

Year-by-year

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Year Division League Reg. Season Playoffs
2004 1 USL W-League 6th, Atlantic
2005 1 USL W-League 6th, Atlantic
2006 1 USL W-League 7th, Atlantic
2007 1 USL W-League 6th, Atlantic
2008 1 USL W-League 8th, Atlantic Did not qualify

References

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  1. ^ Anderson, Chris. "Anderson: Another sports league on the ropes". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  2. ^ Wong, Glenn (2011-06-07). The Comprehensive Guide to Careers in Sports. Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN 978-0-7637-2884-7.
  3. ^ "GSU Selects Derek Leader As New Women's Soccer Coach". caasports.com. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
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