Whitecaps sign Schmidt and Talonen

May 28, 2008

Vancouver Whitecaps FC have announced the signing of defender/midfielder Sophie Schmidt and forward Sanna Talonen.

Schmidt returns for her fourth year with the club after beginning her W-League career with the ‘Caps in 2005 at the young age of 16. In three years with Vancouver, Schmidt has amassed 2,137 minutes played in 26 regular season games. Schmidt was also an integral part of the Whitecaps squad that captured the USL W-League championship in 2006. Last season, the five-foot-nine defender/midfielder was second on the team in minutes played and appeared in all 12 of Vancouver’s matches, while scoring three goals.

The Abbotsford, BC, native has been a regular selection in Canada’s women’s national side since making her international debut with the U-20 national team on November 11, 2004. She has since earned 24 caps with Canada’s U-20s and has made 35 appearances with the senior national team.

Talonen, an international from Tampere, Finland, joins the Whitecaps for her rookie season both with the club and W-League. Talonen recently completed her freshman year at Florida State University and finished second on the team in scoring with 42 points (18 goals and six assists). The five-foot-six forward has also made 31 appearances for Finland’s senior national team, registering eight goals in the process.

Also bolstering the Whitecaps lineup is the return of Jonelle Foligno, Jodi-Ann Robinson, and Emily Zurrer. All three were away with Canada’s national team for their 2-1 loss against Australia in Sydney on Friday, May 23.

Whitecaps also announced today that Randee Hermus has returned to Canada’s women’s national team residency program. The defender from Langley, BC, appeared in one match for the Whitecaps, notching the game-wining goal in Vancouver’s 2-1 victory over Los Angeles Legends on May 23.

The Whitecaps women are set to battle Real Colorado Cougars tonight at Shea Stadium in Littleton, Colorado. Visit whitecapsfc.com for a complete match preview. They will then travel to Loveland, Colorado, to face the Fort Collins Force on Friday evening. The Whitecaps next home match at Swangard Stadium is on Saturday, June 7, when the women take on Seattle Sounders at 4:00 p.m. and men host Portland Timbers at 7:00 p.m. June 7 is a Wendy's Family Night - four tickets and two Wendy's Kids' Meals for only $48. Call 604.669.WAVE (9283) for information, or buy tickets at ticketmaster.ca.

More Women News
Return To Whitecaps News