We are excited to introduce you to the very talented female Costa Rican players that have made the jump and are playing abroad. So far in 2020 the country has had 11 players competing in professional leagues around the world such as the MLS, Europeans and South American professional clubs.
Players from University of Lynchburg and the Costa Rican National Team after a friendly match played during Lynchburg’s soccer tour to Costa Rica recently. Several of the Costa Rican players in this photo are currently playing abroad.
Costa Rican National Team captain Shirley Cruz plays for the MLS for OL Reign. She previously played for the Paris Saint-Germain & Olympique Lyon with whom she was champion of France a record six times and won two Champions Leagues. She was chosen as the best player in the French league in the 2012-2013 season.
Shirley Cruz (right) with University of Lynchburg goalkeeper.
Raquel “Rocky” Rodriguez who plays for the MLS for the Portland Thorns FC. She started her professional soccer career with the Sky Blue FC in 2016 after graduating from Penn State University. She was named NWSL Rookie of the Year.
Stephanie Blanco was recently signed with the Deportivo La Coruña club of Spain, becoming the first indigenous player to obtain an international contract.
Noelia Bermudez is goalkeeper in Deportivo La Coruña in Spain. Melissa Herrera is in Europe playing for Reims in France. Daniela Solera in South America playing for Independiente Santa Fe– Colombia. Gabriela Guillén is currently the furthest away in Thor/KAF-Iceland. María Jose Morales and Michelle Montero both played for Club Liga Deportiva Juvenil in Ecuador. And finally both Katherine Alvarado and Daniela Cruz competed in the Espanyol in Spain.
So far in 2020, Costa Rica has had 11 female players playing in professional leagues around the world. See the full list below:
1.Shirley Cruz- plays for the MLS for OL Reign. She previously played for the Paris Saint-Germain & Olympique Lyon with whom she was six times champion of France, won two Champions League and was chosen as the best player in the French league in the 2012-2013 season.
2.Stephanie Blanco – recenlty signed with the Deportivo La Coruña club of Spain, becoming the first indigenous player to obtain an international contract.
3.Raquel Rodriguez plays also for the MLS for the Portland Thorns FC . She started her profesional soccer career with the Sky Blue FC in 2016 after graduating from Penn State University. She was named was named NWSL Rookie of the Year.
4.Noelia Bermudez is goalkeeper in Deportivo La Coruña in Spain.
5.Melissa Herrara- Reims- France
6.Daniela Solera- Independiente Santa Fe- Colombia
7.Gabriela Guillen- Thor/KAF-Iceland
8.Maria Jose Morales- Club Liga Deportiva Juvenil-Ecuador
9.Michelle Montero- – Club Liga Deportiva Juvenil-Ecuador
10.Katherine Alvarado-Espanyol- Spain
11.Daniela Cruz- Espanyol- Spain
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