Amy Rodriguez
Encyclopedia
Amy Joy Rodriguez is an American
soccer forward currently playing for Philadelphia Independence of Women's Professional Soccer
and is a member of the United States women's national soccer team
.
where she was a Parade
All-American in 2003 and 2004 and the Gatorade Player of the Year
in 2005. The paternal side of her family is from Cuba
.
She was recruited by, and eventually attended, the University of Southern California
. During college, she played for the USC Trojans
women's soccer team from 2005 through 2008. As a junior in 2007, Rodriguez led the Trojans to the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship
. She finished her USC career ranked fourth all-time in goals (31) and points (79).
of Women's Premier Soccer League
in 2008. However, an injury to Abby Wambach
propelled Rodriguez to the United States Women's National Team
to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics
. She never appeared for West Coast FC.
Upon her return, the new top-tier women's soccer league in the United States
, Women's Professional Soccer
, made Rodriguez the first overall pick in the 2009 WPS Draft
. Her playing rights were assigned to Boston Breakers. In the inaugural 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season
, Rodriguez appeared in 17 matches (11 starts, 982 minutes) and scored 1 goal.
At the conclusion of the 2009 season, it was announced on 29 September 2009 that Rodriguez had been traded to expansion team Philadelphia Independence with Boston's first round selection in the 2010 WPS Draft
for Philadelphia's first two selections in the 2010 WPS Draft
. With Philadelphia, she was named the WPS Player of the Month for June 2010. In the 2010 season, Rodriguez scored 12 goals and had 6 assists. She was a finalist for the WPS Michelle Akers Player of the Year Award and was named the Independence's Most Valuable Player. During the semifinal game, Rodriguez scored in the 120th minute to put Philadelphia past the Washington Freedom
. In the supersemi, she assisted on Caroline Seger's goal to help lead the Independence to the final.
In a 2011 regular season shortened by national team duty, Rodriguez played in 10 games for the Independence, tallying only 2 regular season goals. However, she scored in Philadelphia's last three games (including two playoff games).
Rodriguez has played in two WPS finals with Philadelphia, losing both. In the 2011 final, Rodriguez scored her second goal of the 2011 postseason in the 87th minute to force extra time, but failed to convert several other shots on goal. Philadelphia eventually lost in penalty kicks.
national youth teams, appearing in two FIFA youth championships: the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship
in Thailand
and the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship
in Russia
, as well as the 2005 Nordic Cup in Sweden
. In total, she's played with the U-17
, U-19/U-20
and U-21 programs.
Rodriguez's first appearance for the United States Women's National Team
came on 11 March 2005 against Finland
in the 2005 Algarve Cup. By the spring of 2008, she had become a regular at forward and started four of five games at the 2008 Summer Olympics
, where she scored against New Zealand. Rodriguez had appeared in 18 senior team matches going into the Olympics. Rodriguez provided the assist on Carli Lloyd
's game winning goal in the first period of extra time in the Gold medal match to clinch the title.
, and Leslie Osborne
are the only American women to hold sponsorship deals with sportswear company Puma
.
Rodriguez married fellow USC athlete Adam Shilling on October 8 2011.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soccer forward currently playing for Philadelphia Independence of Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...
and is a member of the United States women's national soccer team
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
.
Early life and university
Rodriguez attended Santa Margarita Catholic High SchoolSanta Margarita Catholic High School
Santa Margarita Catholic High School is a coeducational college preparatory Roman Catholic high school located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, United States. SMCHS was opened in the fall of 1987 under the direction of the Bishop of Orange...
where she was a Parade
Parade (magazine)
Parade is an American nationwide Sunday newspaper magazine, distributed in more than 500 newspapers in the United States. It was founded in 1941 and is owned by Advance Publications. The most widely read magazine in the U.S., Parade has a circulation of 32.2 million and a readership of nearly 70...
All-American in 2003 and 2004 and the Gatorade Player of the Year
Gatorade Player of the Year awards
The Gatorade Player of the Year awards are given annually to male and female high-school student-athletes in the United States. They are given for boys' baseball, boys' football, girls' softball, girls' volleyball, boys' basketball, girls' basketball, boys' cross country, girls' cross country,...
in 2005. The paternal side of her family is from Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
.
She was recruited by, and eventually attended, the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
. During college, she played for the USC Trojans
USC Trojans
The USC Trojans are the athletic teams representing the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. While the men's teams are nicknamed the Trojans, the women's athletic teams are referred to as either the Trojans or Women of Troy...
women's soccer team from 2005 through 2008. As a junior in 2007, Rodriguez led the Trojans to the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship
NCAA Women's Soccer Championship
NCAA Women's Soccer Championships are divided into three divisions. This article lists NCAA Women's soccer championships.-Division I:The NCAA began conducting a Women's Division I Soccer Championship tournament in 1982 with a 12-team tournament...
. She finished her USC career ranked fourth all-time in goals (31) and points (79).
Club career
Rodriguez signed to play with West Coast FCWest Coast FC
West Coast FC is an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2007. The team is a member of the Women's Premier Soccer League, the third tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada...
of Women's Premier Soccer League
Women's Premier Soccer League
The Women's Premier Soccer League is a national women's soccer league in the United States and Puerto Rico, and is on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the W-League and below Women's Professional Soccer....
in 2008. However, an injury to Abby Wambach
Abby Wambach
Mary Abigail "Abby" Wambach is an American professional soccer player, coach and Olympic gold medalist. A four-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award, she has been a regular on the U.S. women's national team since 2003...
propelled Rodriguez to the United States Women's National Team
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
. She never appeared for West Coast FC.
Upon her return, the new top-tier women's soccer league in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...
, made Rodriguez the first overall pick in the 2009 WPS Draft
2009 WPS Draft
The 2009 WPS College Draft took place on January 16, 2009. It was the first college draft held by Women's Professional Soccer to assign the WPS rights of college players to the American-based teams.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:...
. Her playing rights were assigned to Boston Breakers. In the inaugural 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season
2009 Women's Professional Soccer season
The 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season served as the inaugural season for WPS, the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States...
, Rodriguez appeared in 17 matches (11 starts, 982 minutes) and scored 1 goal.
At the conclusion of the 2009 season, it was announced on 29 September 2009 that Rodriguez had been traded to expansion team Philadelphia Independence with Boston's first round selection in the 2010 WPS Draft
2010 WPS Draft
The 2010 WPS College Draft took place on January 15, 2010. It was the second college draft held by Women's Professional Soccer to assign the WPS rights of college players to the American-based teams.-Format:...
for Philadelphia's first two selections in the 2010 WPS Draft
2010 WPS Draft
The 2010 WPS College Draft took place on January 15, 2010. It was the second college draft held by Women's Professional Soccer to assign the WPS rights of college players to the American-based teams.-Format:...
. With Philadelphia, she was named the WPS Player of the Month for June 2010. In the 2010 season, Rodriguez scored 12 goals and had 6 assists. She was a finalist for the WPS Michelle Akers Player of the Year Award and was named the Independence's Most Valuable Player. During the semifinal game, Rodriguez scored in the 120th minute to put Philadelphia past the Washington Freedom
Washington Freedom
The Washington Freedom was an American professional soccer club based in the Washington, D.C. suburb of Germantown, Maryland that participated in Women's Professional Soccer. The Freedom was originally founded in 2001 as a member of the defunct Women's United Soccer Association. Since 2004, the...
. In the supersemi, she assisted on Caroline Seger's goal to help lead the Independence to the final.
In a 2011 regular season shortened by national team duty, Rodriguez played in 10 games for the Independence, tallying only 2 regular season goals. However, she scored in Philadelphia's last three games (including two playoff games).
Rodriguez has played in two WPS finals with Philadelphia, losing both. In the 2011 final, Rodriguez scored her second goal of the 2011 postseason in the 87th minute to force extra time, but failed to convert several other shots on goal. Philadelphia eventually lost in penalty kicks.
International career
Rodriguez played for several United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
national youth teams, appearing in two FIFA youth championships: the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship
2004 FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship
-Group B:---------------------Group C:--------------------- Knockout Map :-Quarterfinals:-------------Semifinals:-----Third place play-off:-Final:-Awards:-All star team:-Goalscorers:...
in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship
2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship
The 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship was held in Russia from 17 August to 3 September 2006. It was the officially recognized world championship for women's under-20 national football teams...
in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, as well as the 2005 Nordic Cup in Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
. In total, she's played with the U-17
United States U-17 women's national soccer team
The United States U-17 women's national soccer team is a youth soccer team operated under the auspices of U.S. Soccer. Its primary role is the development of players in preparation for the full Women's National Team. The team's most recent major tournament was the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women's World...
, U-19/U-20
United States U-20 women's national soccer team
The United States U-20 women's national soccer team is a youth soccer team operated under the auspices of U.S. Soccer. Its primary role is the development of players in preparation for the full Women's National Team. The team's most recent major tournament was the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World...
and U-21 programs.
Rodriguez's first appearance for the United States Women's National Team
United States women's national soccer team
The United States women's national soccer team represents the United States in international soccer competition and is controlled by U.S. Soccer. The U.S. team won the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991, and has since been a superpower in women's soccer. It is currently ranked first in the world...
came on 11 March 2005 against Finland
Finland women's national football team
The Finland women's national football team represents Finland in international women's football. The team, controlled by the Football Association of Finland , reached the semi-finals of the 2005 European Championship, surprising the female football world having drawn with Sweden and beaten Denmark...
in the 2005 Algarve Cup. By the spring of 2008, she had become a regular at forward and started four of five games at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
, where she scored against New Zealand. Rodriguez had appeared in 18 senior team matches going into the Olympics. Rodriguez provided the assist on Carli Lloyd
Carli Lloyd
Carli Anne Lloyd is an American soccer midfielder currently playing for the Atlanta Beat of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the United States women's national soccer team.-Early life:...
's game winning goal in the first period of extra time in the Gold medal match to clinch the title.
Personal
Rodriguez, Natasha KaiNatasha Kai
Natasha Kanani Janine Kai is an American soccer forward currently playing for Philadelphia Independence of Women's Professional Soccer.-University of Hawaiʻi:Kai played for the University of Hawaiʻi Rainbow Wahine from 2002-2005...
, and Leslie Osborne
Leslie Osborne
Leslie Marie Osborne is an American soccer defensive midfielder who currently plays for the Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the United States women's national soccer team.-Career:...
are the only American women to hold sponsorship deals with sportswear company Puma
PUMA AG
Puma SE, officially branded as PUMA, is a major German multinational company that produces high-end athletic shoes, lifestyle footwear and other sportswear. Formed in 1924 as Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik by Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, relationships between the two brothers deteriorated until the two...
.
Rodriguez married fellow USC athlete Adam Shilling on October 8 2011.