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Australia-born soccer player Sarah Walsh, considered by many to be one of the fastest forwards in the world, is quickly earning a reputation as one of the most menacing strikers on the field. Whether representing Australia on the Women's National Team or tearing up the field in the Women's Professional Soccer League (WPS), Sarah's intensity and passion for the game make her a force to be reckoned with. Walsh debuted on the international stage in the 2004 Athens Olympics, starting all four of Team Australia's matches. Her intimidating presence helped lead her team to the quarterfinals. Sarah went on to represent her country in the 2006 Asian Football Confederation's (AFC's) Women's Asian Cup and the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup. After much international attention, Sarah was ultimately honored as a finalist for the 2007 AFC Women's Player of the Year award. In 2008, Sarah signed with the W-League's Pali Blues, but suffered a fractured leg at the start of the season and was sidelined for the remainder of the year. Refusing to let the injury set her behind, Walsh's determination and hard work prepared her for a triumphant return to the field. In January 2009, New Jersey's Sky Blue FC took note of Sarah's purely physical style of play and drafted her in the first round (7th overall) of the WPS International Draft. She added a goal and an assist during the first five games of the season, and was then traded to the Saint Louis Athletica to finish off the year. During the WPS off-season, Walsh will return to Australia to compete with the Women's National Team. After traveling frequently to Asia with Team Australia, Sarah has developed an interest in Asian culture and enjoys trying different types of sushi. When she's not playing on the field or traveling, she enjoys meeting up with her friends for coffee and spending time on the beaches of Sydney. |
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