Whalen, Sara

Sara Eve Whalen

A former member of the U.S. National Women's team, Whalen played with the New York Power of the new Women's United States Soccer Association which began play in April, 2001. In 2002, Sara started the first ten games of the season before tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in a game against Carolina in June.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. April 28, 1976

Career Highlights:
Whalen made her international debut for the United States in 1997 in a friendly against France, and since then has made 63 international appearances and scored seven goals. She was named to Soccer America's College Team of the Decade in the 1990s, and was National Player of the Year in 1998 while playing for the University of Connecticut (where she was a three-time All-America).

A member of the 1999 Women's World Cup championship team, Whalen played the second most minutes of the reserves, including the entire overtime period in the World Cup Final (she appeared on the cover of Time hugging Brandi Chastain after Chastain's game-winning penalty kick in the World Cup Final). Whalen was also a member of the U.S. women's soccer team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but did not play. The U.S. lost to Norway on a golden goal in extra time of the final and were awarded the silver medal.

In 2001, Whalen was a founding member of a new women's soccer league, the WUSA. She played that season with the New York Power and appeared in all 21 games (she started 20). During the season, Whalen registered five assists, including two that led to game-winning goals. She played every position on the field, including forward (Sara is normally a midfielder and defender). As of 2002, Whalen was still with the Power.

Origin:
Natick, Massachusetts

Physical description:
5'6", 130 pounds

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