FRIDAY
JUNE 1ST
BE THERE!
BRING YOUR
EUGENE AZUL
TICKET STUB AND RECEIVE
50% OFF
a dinner entree of equal
or lesser value with the
purchase of one entree
& two beverages at
regular price.
expires 7-31-12
not valid with any other offer
HELLO SOCCER FANS,
Eugene Metro Fútbol Club’s dream of building a women’s premier soccer team has become
reality. The Azul’s inaugural season is a pivotal moment in the club’s history and another critical
step to putting Eugene on the map as a home for top soccer players. We have recruited premier-
level players from within Eugene Metro FC and other Oregon clubs as well as from colleges in
Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, California and Montana.
With last year’s exciting women’s World Cup in Germany and the upcoming Olympic Games
in London, women’s soccer reaches millions around the world. The level of the women’s game
continues to advance, and local and regional girls and women’s teams are brimming with
athletes who need an outlet to play high-level soccer beyond college. The EMFC Azul team taps
local talent to be part of the world’s largest national league of top female soccer players — the
Women’s Premier Soccer League.
The 2012 Azul roster has 14 high school-age players, seven current college players and five
post-college players, all ranging in age from 17-27. Our team includes current UO players and
several young women who coach soccer in our community, including Jenny Barton (Sheldon),
Stacy Ermini (Willamette/EMFC) and Lindsay Parlee (UO/EMFC). The depth of experience is
impressive, and the Azul’s potential to be competetive within the WPSL is promising.
My goal is that the Azul team will inspire and provide role models for young girls playing
soccer in our community. These Azul players will return in the fall to their high schools and
colleges with more experience and skill, and one day some may make it to the professional ranks
or join the women’s national team. Many current U.S. women’s national team players have
played and have been discovered in the Women’s Premier Soccer League.
Eugene Metro FC Azul, together with Seattle-based Issaquah FC and Emerald City FC, joins
with the Portland Rain, Oregon Rush and the Spokane Shine to establish a competitive
Northwest division. The Pacific Northwest is buzzing with soccer excitement, with the Portland
Timbers, the Seattle Sounders and the Vancouver Whitecaps all playing in the men’s Major
Soccer League. All those clubs have women’s teams, and over the next few years the
infrastructure for top female players will continue to improve and provide opportunities. Eugene
Metro FC plans to be part of this development so that top female players can compete from May
to July, giving Eugene soccer fans an opportunity to watch top-level women’s soccer.
I am very grateful for the strong support for this team from our sponsors, adidas, Market of
Choice and Eugene Weekly, all of whom share our commitment to broadening opportunities for
girls and women athletes in our community. Enjoy the game.
2435 Hilyard St. | Eugene, OR
541-484-3062
www.thehumblebeaglepub.com
open for dinner
sun-thurs 5pm-10ish fri-sat 5pm-11ish
happy hour everyday 5-6pm & 9pm-close
- Jürgen Ruckaberle,
Eugene Metro FC Azul
Head Coach