VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today the signing of Chinese Taipei international striker Tseng Shu-O (AO) to the club's United Soccer Leagues W-League roster - pending United States Soccer Federation approval.
"AO is a player who I’ve been monitoring for a while," said Hubert Busby Jr., Whitecaps FC women’s team head coach. "She’s a very crafty player who can score goals, as well as create goals for others. She is another valuable addition to the squad who fans will enjoy watching."
Tseng, 26, comes to Vancouver after playing the past two seasons with Australian W-League club Canberra United FC, where she started 12 of her 17 appearances for 1,161 minutes of action, scoring four goals. In between her time in Australia, Tseng suited up for Whitecaps FC's W-League Western Conference rivals Colorado Rush. Playing in the Rush's inaugural season last year, the striker started five of her nine appearances for 538 minutes of action and scored three goals. Vancouver fans may remember Tseng, as she scored twice in a span of three minutes during a 2-2 draw with Whitecaps FC at Swangard Stadium on July 3, 2010. Prior to her career abroad, Tseng played for National Taiwan Normal University from 2006 to 2009, National Taiwan College of Physical Education from 2002 to 2006, and Hsiao Kang SHS from 1999 to 2002.
“Whitecaps FC are always one of the strongest teams in the W-League, so I’m very excited to come to Vancouver,” said Tseng. “The experiences I’ve had in Australia and Colorado have made me a better player. I look forward to playing.”
Internationally, Tseng has represented Chinese Taipei at both U-20 and senior international levels. In 2002, she received the Most Valuable Player award at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-19 Women’s Championship after helping Chinese Taipei qualify for the inaugural FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championship that was held in Canada. Tseng started all three matches for her country, as they competed in Group C, playing at Centennial Stadium in Victoria, BC. As a senior Chinese Taipei international, Tseng has started five of her six appearances, playing in FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification matches in 2003 and 2007.
In 2011, defending W-League Western Conference champions Whitecaps FC will play their regular season home schedule at seven different home venues throughout the province of British Columbia, as part of the Whitecaps Women's Soccer Series presented by Kia - in partnership with the Girls Metro Soccer League (GMSL).
Whitecaps FC will kick off their 2011 home schedule on Sunday, May 22, at 4 p.m. PT, when they battle Seattle Sounders women at Percy Perry Stadium in Coquitlam, BC. Five days later, the 'Caps will host Colorado Rush at Chilliwack's Exhibition Stadium at 7:30 p.m. PT. Additional home venues include Surrey's Newton Athletic Park Field on Friday, June 10; Whistler's Myrtle Philip Field on Friday, June 24; Richmond's Hugh Boyd Stadium on Canada Day (Friday, July 1); and Penticton's Kings Park Field on Friday, July 8. The team concludes the regular season at Langley’s McLeod Athletic Park Field on Friday, July 15.
Whitecaps FC begin the 2011 season on the road against W-League expansion outfit Victoria Highlanders FC at Bear Mountain Stadium in Langford, BC, on Sunday, May 15, at 4 p.m. PT.
Ticket information for the 2011 Whitecaps Women's Soccer Series presented by Kia will be announced shortly. For additional information, visit whitecapsfc.com or call 604.669.WAVE (9283).
