(December 21, 2001)

CyberRays obtain Michelle French

in trade with Washington Freedom

SAN JOSE CA. (December 21, 2001) In the second off-season trade between the WUSA teams in the last five weeks, the San Jose CyberRays today dealt midfielder Ann Cook to the Washington Freedom for defender Michelle French.

The addition of French, a veteran of the U.S. national team that played in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, gives the 2001 WUSA champion CyberRays a back line of five international-caliber players: Brandi Chastain (United States, two World Cups and two Olympics), Thori Bryan (United States, one World Cup), Lisa Nañez (Mexico, one World Cup) and Dianne Alagich (Australia, one World Cup, one Olympics). 

``Any time we can attract a quality player like Frenchie who has international experience, it’s going to allow us some versatility in the back and midfield area,’’ CyberRays coach Ian Sawyers said. ``She’s going to bring a lot of great flank play for us and a tremendous work rate down the side. She’s a quality person, too. She’s got great character, and she works in the community endlessly. She’ll be a great ambassador for our club.’’

On Nov. 13, the CyberRays sent backup forward Jacqui Little and their third-round pick in the 2003 WUSA Global Draft to the Freedom for Brazilian forward Pretinha.

French, 24, is a native of Kent, Wash., who played college soccer at Portland, making three appearances in the NCAA final four. She was a West Coast Conference rival of new teammates Nañez and Megan Horvath, who played at Santa Clara. Last season she started and played in 20 of 21 games for the Freedom totaling 1,735 minutes with one goal and five assists.

Cook, 27, appeared in 15 matches for the CyberRays, starting five. She was the CyberRays’ fourth-round pick (25th overall) in the 2000 WUSA Global Draft.  In the WUSA Championship Game against the Atlanta Beat, she narrowly missed an overtime shot would have ended the match before penalty kicks. A native of Springfield, Mo., she played college soccer at William & Mary, and the trade takes her back to the region where she was a three-time all-American.

The CyberRays will begin training for the 2002 WUSA season in February.

[Source: Jody Meacham, Director of Public Relations, San Jose CyberRays, (408) 261-7724 office, (408) 690-9362 cell, jmeacham@sjcyberrays.com)