Kimberly Brandão
Encyclopedia
Kimberly Maria Brandão is a Portuguese American
Portuguese American
Portuguese Americans are citizens of the United States whose ancestry originates in the southwest European nation of Portugal, including the offshore island groups of the Azores and Madeira....

 professional women's soccer player who is currently a captain of the Portugal Women's National Team
Portugal women's national football team
-----------------------------2013 UEFA European Championship Qualifying:-----------------------------See also:* Portugal national football team* -References:...

, which she has represented since 2007. At club level, Brandão plays professionally for the 2011 WPS
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...

 Champions Western New York Flash (WNY Flash), and has been a professional player since 2007. She has won National Championships in 2010 (W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....

) and 2011 (WPS
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...

).

Brandão was born in Rahway, New Jersey
Rahway, New Jersey
Rahway is a city in southern Union County, New Jersey, United States. It is part of the New York metropolitan area, being 15 miles southwest of Manhattan and five miles west of Staten Island...

, USA and has dual citizenship, USA & Portuguese. In October 2007 she became the first Luso-American woman to play for the full Portugal Women's National Team
Portugal women's national football team
-----------------------------2013 UEFA European Championship Qualifying:-----------------------------See also:* Portugal national football team* -References:...

. In March 2011, she became the first Luso-American woman to sign for a WPS
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...

 team. On Friday, May 13, 2011, Brandão made her Flash debut at Sahlen's Stadium in the 3-2 victory over Boston Breakers, playing left-back, and getting an assist on the Flash's second goal. The win extended WNY Flash's lead at the top of the WPS
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...

 standings to five points, and the team spent most of the season atop the standings. On August 14, 2011, WNY Flash were crowned WPS
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...

 2011 regular season Champions, as the highest scoring team in WPS
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...

 history. On August 27, 2011, WNY Flash then went on to win the WPS
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...

 Championship match, live on national television.

WNY Flash joined the WPS
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...

 in 2011. The team trains out of Elma, near Buffalo and plays in Rochester, NY. WNY Flash was formerly known as Buffalo Flash
Buffalo Flash
The Western New York Flash is an American professional soccer club based in Buffalo, New York . It was founded in 2008 and played its inaugural season in 2009...

, who Brandão captained in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. As a professional franchise in an amateur/semi-professional league, Buffalo Flash
Buffalo Flash
The Western New York Flash is an American professional soccer club based in Buffalo, New York . It was founded in 2008 and played its inaugural season in 2009...

, won the United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...

' W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....

 in 2010. Live on national television on Fox Soccer Channel
Fox Soccer Channel
Fox Soccer is an American television specialty channel, owned by News Corporation's Fox Entertainment Group, that specializes in soccer. It formerly broadcast rugby and Australian rules football, but is now dedicated strictly to soccer...

, Brandão captained the Flash to its first ever W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....

 Championship. In the national champion's undefeated season, Brandão was named to the All-Conference Team, and topped the W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....

 in minutes played (1243).

Brandão is a center back who can also play defensive center midfield, or right back. She is known for her consistency, athleticism, leadership and organization. Her attributes include reading the game, interceptions, and reliability.

Prior to playing for the Flash, Brandão played top level professional club soccer in the Swedish Damallsvenskan
Damallsvenskan
The Damallsvenskan, Swedish for ladies' all-Swedish, is the highest division of women's football in Sweden. It is also referred as to the women's Allsvenskan, this term being used alone to refer to the men's division....

 and in the Spanish Superliga Femenina
Superliga Femenina
The Primera División, formely Superliga is the highest level of league competition for Spanish women's football. It is the female equivalent of the men's Primera División and is run by the Real Federación Española de Fútbol.-History:...

, trained with Arsenal Ladies
Arsenal L.F.C.
Arsenal Ladies Football Club are an English women's association football club affiliated with Arsenal F.C.. Founded in 1987, they are the most successful club in English women's football having won 34 major trophies to date; which are 12 FA Women's Premier League titles, 11 FA Women's Cups, ten...

 in England, and in the W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....

 she played for the New Jersey Wildcats
New Jersey Wildcats
New Jersey Wildcats is an American women’s soccer team, founded by Vincent Baldino in 1996. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. The team plays in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference against the D.C...

 (2004, reaching W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....

Championship Final), and Jersey Sky Blue
Jersey Sky Blue
Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues was an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2006. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. The team played in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference...

 (in 2007 & 2008).

At college, Brandão started (and played every minute of) 83 of Rutgers' 84 games (2002–2006), missing one through suspension. For the Scarlet Knights
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are the athletic teams that represent Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey...

, she was a two-year Team Captain, two-year Team MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...

, and four-time All-BIG EAST
Big East Conference
The Big East Conference is a collegiate athletics conference consisting of sixteen universities in the eastern half of the United States. The conference's 17 members participate in 24 NCAA sports...

 Selection.

o PORTUGAL WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM 2007-2011 (CAPTAIN 2009-2011)

Has been Portugal WNT
Portugal women's national football team
-----------------------------2013 UEFA European Championship Qualifying:-----------------------------See also:* Portugal national football team* -References:...

 co-captain since the 2009 Algarve Cup
2009 Algarve Cup
-11th Place:-9th Place:-7th Place:-5th Place:-3rd Place:-Final:...

 which at the time became Portugal’s best ever performance (three wins, one tie).

In the 2011 Algarve Cup
2011 Algarve Cup
-Group B:---------------------Group C:---------------------11th Place:-9th Place:-7th Place:-5th Place:-3rd Place:-Final:-Top Goal Scorers:Golden Boot: Margrét Lára Viðarsdóttir...

 Brandão led Portugal
Portugal women's national football team
-----------------------------2013 UEFA European Championship Qualifying:-----------------------------See also:* Portugal national football team* -References:...

 to a 3-1 win over Wales and a 0-0 tie with Chile, before returning to the USA to join WNY Flash's preseason.

In the 2010 Algarve Cup
2010 Algarve Cup
-Group B:---------------------Group C:Note: Portugal and Romania drew lots to determine finishing positions---------------------11th Place:-9th Place:-7th Place:-5th Place:-3rd Place:-Final:...

 Brandão led Portugal
Portugal women's national football team
-----------------------------2013 UEFA European Championship Qualifying:-----------------------------See also:* Portugal national football team* -References:...

 to its biggest ever win (5-0) in the 17 year history of the tournament.

Led Portugal
Portugal women's national football team
-----------------------------2013 UEFA European Championship Qualifying:-----------------------------See also:* Portugal national football team* -References:...

 to biggest ever home win (7-0 v Armenia, March ’10) and biggest away win (8-0 v Armenia, Sep ‘11)

Played every minute of Portugal's
Portugal women's national football team
-----------------------------2013 UEFA European Championship Qualifying:-----------------------------See also:* Portugal national football team* -References:...

 next 23 matches after October 2007 debut

Played every minute of Portugal's
Portugal women's national football team
-----------------------------2013 UEFA European Championship Qualifying:-----------------------------See also:* Portugal national football team* -References:...

 matches in its best ever 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification (UEFA)
In the UEFA qualification for 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, 41 entrants were drawn into eight groups, from which the group winners advanced to a play-off round...

 campaign from Sept 2009 – June 2010

Played every minute of all Portugal
Portugal women's national football team
-----------------------------2013 UEFA European Championship Qualifying:-----------------------------See also:* Portugal national football team* -References:...

 matches at the 2008 Algarve Cup
2008 Algarve Cup
The 2008 Algarve Cup was the fifteenth edition of the Algarve Cup, an invitational women's football tournament held annually in Portugal. It took place between 5 and 12 March 2008 with the reigning champions the United States winning the event for a record sixth time, after defeating Denmark in a...

, 2009 Algarve Cup
2009 Algarve Cup
-11th Place:-9th Place:-7th Place:-5th Place:-3rd Place:-Final:...

 & 2010 Algarve Cup
2010 Algarve Cup
-Group B:---------------------Group C:Note: Portugal and Romania drew lots to determine finishing positions---------------------11th Place:-9th Place:-7th Place:-5th Place:-3rd Place:-Final:...



Played every minute of all Euro 2009 Qualifying matches October 2007 – September 2008

Scored her first international goal in the 4–1 win over Slovakia on August 27, 2009.

o Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league – WESTERN NEW YORK FLASH, 2011

Part of arguably the strongest club roster in Women's Professional Soccer history, including five time FIFA World Player of the Year, Marta. The Flash went on to become the 2011 WPS
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...

 Champions in its inaugural season as a WPS
Women's Professional Soccer
Women's Professional Soccer is the top level professional women's soccer league in the United States. It began play on March 29, 2009. The league was composed of seven teams for its first two seasons and fielded 6 teams for the 2011 season, with continued plans for future expansion...

 franchise.

Brandão made her WNY Flash debut on Friday, May 13 at Sahlen's Stadium in the 3-2 victory over Boston Breakers, playing left-back, and getting an assist on the Flash's second goal. The win extended WNY Flash's lead at the top of the WPS standings to five points.

o USL W-League – BUFFALO FLASH (Full-Time, Salaried Professional Franchise), 2009, 2010

CAPTAIN OF UNDEFEATED (14-0-2) W-LEAGUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING TEAM, 2010

Selected to All-Central Conference Team, leading franchise to its first ever W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....

 Championship, 2010

Led W-League
W-League
The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer....

 in minutes played (1243), 2010

Named Team Captain and starting center back for Sahlen-owned franchise’s inaugural season

Led inaugural team to 9–2–3 2nd-placed finish in Great Lakes Division, undefeated on the road, 2009

Led team in minutes played in regular season, only outfielder to play every minute of all 14 divisional games, 2009

Led team to 10–3–3 overall record in inaugural season, central conference semi-finalists, 2009

Led team in minutes played (1440), only outfielder to play every minute of all 16 games, 2009

o USL W-League – JERSEY SKY BLUE, 2008

Led a Sky Blue
Jersey Sky Blue
Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues was an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2006. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. The team played in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference...

 defense that conceded only ten goals in 14 matches

Only defender to play 900 minutes in the season

o European Professional Club Soccer – FALKÖPINGS KIK (Sweden), 2007 & CF PUEBLA (Spain), 2008
+ training with Arsenal Ladies
Arsenal L.F.C.
Arsenal Ladies Football Club are an English women's association football club affiliated with Arsenal F.C.. Founded in 1987, they are the most successful club in English women's football having won 34 major trophies to date; which are 12 FA Women's Premier League titles, 11 FA Women's Cups, ten...

 (England)


o USL W-League – JERSEY SKY BLUE, 2007

Anchored a Sky Blue
Jersey Sky Blue
Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues was an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2006. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. The team played in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference...

 defense that led the W-League record, conceding just six goals in 14 matches

Starred in all 14 matches of the regular season

Helped lead the team to 12–2 mark and a spot in the W-League playoffs

Led team in minutes played (1174)

Squad included Formiga
Miraildes Maciel Mota
Miraildes Maciel Mota , commonly known as Formiga , is a Brazilian footballer who played midfielder who last played for FC Gold Pride of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the Brazil women's national football team.-Career:Formiga was acquired by FC Gold Pride in the 2008 WPS...

 (Brazil)

o USL W-League – NJ WILDCATS, World’s No. 4 Ranked team, 2004

Key starting center back in all four playoff matches including W-League Nationally Televised Championship Final

New Jersey Wildcats
New Jersey Wildcats
New Jersey Wildcats is an American women’s soccer team, founded by Vincent Baldino in 1996. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. The team plays in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference against the D.C...

 ended regular season 14–0

Squad included Kelly Smith
Kelly Smith
Kelly Jayne Smith, MBE is an English football forward currently playing for Boston Breakers of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the England women's national football team.-Youth and university:...

 (England), Marinette Pichon (France) and Anne Mäkinen
Anne Mäkinen
Anne Maarit Mäkinen is a former Finnish football player, who last played for Swedish club AIK in Stockholm. She was a central midfielder....

 (Finland)

o Quotes from Rutgers Head Coach, Glenn Crooks:

“One of the best backs - impressive with her demeanor, and a great leader.”

“One of the steadiest, most consistent players I've ever coached, she is here day in, day out at the highest level.”

“It has been rare to see anyone get past her, she is a great talent.”

“She is dangerous going forward and is very good in the air.”

“Leads by example, she's our captain, the team respects her, she encourages and talks to the others.”

“When she was injured she was almost like an assistant coach.”

o College – RUTGERS University, 2002–2006

Backbone of Rutgers defense for four seasons in a stellar college career, starting 83 out of the team’s 84 matches (suspended for the 84th)

Two-year Captain, two-year MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...



Four-time All-BIG EAST Selection

Three-time All-BIG EAST second team selection

BIG-EAST Academic All-Star

Three season teammate of (and co-captain with) USA WNT athlete of the year 2008 Carli Lloyd
Carli Lloyd
Carli Anne Lloyd is an American soccer midfielder currently playing for the Atlanta Beat of Women's Professional Soccer and is a member of the United States women's national soccer team.-Early life:...



v As a Senior (2006):

Rutgers MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...



Rutgers Defensive Player of the Year

Started 21 out of 22 matches (suspended for the 22nd)

All-BIG EAST Second Team (only three defenders in All-BIG EAST First team. Only one in All-BIG EAST Second team)

Soccerbuzz Third Team All-America

NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Region All-First Team

TopDrawer-Soccer.com National All-First Team

TopDrawer-Soccer.com National Team of the Week honors Oct 15th

Big East Honor Roll honors Oct 16

All-tournament team at the JMU/Comfort Inn Classic

Captained team to multiple record-breaking best-ever season, 16–3–4, (8–1–2 in BIG EAST)

Captained Rutgers’ first-ever appearance in BIG EAST Final (versus National No. 1 Notre Dame)

Headed goal in Nationally-televised win against Princeton and also scored in win over Monmouth

Anchored Scarlet Knight defense that allowed just 12 goals in 22 games has held opponents to 0.55 goal per game

Rutgers ranked 10th nationally in shutouts with a 0.67 percentage (extended RU shutouts record in a season to 16)

Team set new school single-season record of 16 victories

Ended season with Rutgers’ highest ever national ranking of 11

Part of defense that allowed only six goals in regular season

Contributed to breaking school record for most wins at home with nine

Rutgers set school record of eight BIG EAST wins in one season

v As a Junior (2004):

Rutgers MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...



Rutgers Defensive Player of the Year

Started all 20 matches

All-BIG EAST Second Team (only one defender named to All-BIG EAST First team)

Soccer America National Team of the week Sept 15 & Soccerbuzz National Elite Team of the week Sept 16

Soccerbuzz Mid-Atlantic Region All-Third Team

BIG EAST Academic All-Star

BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the week Aug. 30 and Sept 13

Led Rutgers defense that allowed just 0.82 goals and 6.9 shots per contest

Rutgers Classic All-Tournament Team – in 1–0 upset of No. 12 Santa Clara, organized RU defense that allowed just three shots. In handing Michigan State its first loss of the season, led defense that allowed only five shots

v As a Sophomore (2003):

Started all 22 matches

All-BIG EAST Second Team (only one defender named to all BIG EAST First team)

Soccerbuzz Mid-Atlantic Region All-Second Team & Soccerbuzz Elite National Team of the week Oct 20

NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Region All-Third Team

BIG EAST Defensive Player of the week Sept. 23 and Oct 20 – only second in Rutgers history to earn BIG EAST Defensive Player-of-the-week honors

Organized Rutgers defense that allowed 0.91 goals per match

Headed game-winning goal at Virginia Tech Oct 19

Helped hold No. 11 Penn State scoreless for first time in season, and prevented leading scorer, All-American Joanna Lohman, from taking a single shot

v As a Freshman (2002):

One of only two Scarlet Knights to start all 20 matches (only outfielder)

BIG EAST All-Rookie Team (fifth Scarlet Knight ever to be named to the BIG EAST All-Rookie Team. Only one defender named to all BIG EAST First team)

Soccerbuzz Mid-Atlantic Region All-Freshman Team

Wachovia Challenge All-Tournament Team & Rutgers Double Tree Classic All-Tournament Team

Led RU defense to a 1.32 goals-against average

o Prior to Rutgers – Rahway High School, 1998–2002

Player Development Academy (PDA) Jersey Splash, coached by Charlie Naimo, (NJ Wildcats/Sky Blue/Pali Blues
Pali Blues
Pali Blues is an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2008. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada...

/LA Sol)

Won the State Cup in 2001 and 2002, Disney Cup in 2001 and WAGS Memorial Day Tournament in 2000

Olympic Development Program (ODP) State Team for nine years and Regional Team 1 for four years 1998–2001

As a junior, named one of the top 20 players in North Jersey by the New Jersey Girls Soccer Coaches Association (NJGSCA) and named to the Star-Ledger All-Group 3 First Team and All-State Second Team

As a sophomore, scored 34 points (10g, 14a) and named to the NJGSCA All-State Team and the Star-Ledger’s All-Group 3 First Team and All-State Third Team

As a freshman, tallied 59 points (22g, 15a) and earned first of three consecutive All-Union County honors

External links



Portugal Women's National Team

WNY Flash

Buffalo Flash

Jersey Sky Blue
New Jersey Wildcats

Rutgers

Other
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