Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Photo via Alex Morgan Twitter page (image cropped)
FIFA 16 will be the first time in the history of FIFA video games that female soccer stars will be featured on the cover. And not just any female soccer stars. The Portland Thorns' Alex Morgan and Christine Sinclair will be on the cover next to Argentina and FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.Morgan will be included on the version that is released in the United States and Sinclair will be on the version released in Canada.
It was announced back in May, right before the Women's World Cup, that the newest feature included in FIFA 16 would allow gamers to play as women's teams. This will undoubtedly be a selling point to many fans once the game is officially released on September 22nd considering over 24 million people tuned in to watch the final World Cup match between the United States and Japan.
Although appearing on the cover of FIFA 16 is a huge honor for any athlete, the bigger accomplishment is the fact that female athletes are beginning to get the recognition that they deserve.
In case you've never noticed we have plenty of attractive athletes representing the state of Oregon. Here are GoLocalPDX's Top 15 in no particular order.
Prev Next Alex Morgan Alex Morgan, 25, is a forward for the Portland Thorns. She recently signed with the club in January of 2013 after playing for the Western New York Flash and the Seattle Sounders. She rose to prominence because of her success playing for the United States women's national soccer team. Morgan was the youngest player to represent the U.S. during the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. She will once again represent team USA this summer as they prepare to head off to Canada for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Photo credit: Alex Morgan's Facebook page
Prev Next Meyers Leonard Meyers Leonard, 23, was the 11th overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft. Over the past few years he has been diligently working with the Portland Trailblazer's coaching staff in order to refine his game. The Illinois alumni's hard work has been paying off considering he's having the best season of his career.
Photo credit: Meyers Leonard's Facebook page
Prev Next Kaylyn Kyle Kaylyn Kyle, 26, is a Canadian soccer player who currently plays for the Portland Thorns. She is also a member of the Canadian women's national team. Kyle was part of the 2012 Canadian national team that defeated France in the bronze medal game. She is also an ambassador for, Right To Play, which is an organization dedicated to using soccer as a resource to educate and empower children from disadvantaged communities.
Photo credit: Kaylyn Kyle's Facebook page
Prev Next Gaston Fernandez Gaston Fernandez, 31, is a striker for the Portland Timbers. The club signed the Argentinian striker back in January of 2014. During his MLS debut with the Timbers he scored an equalizer goal that extended the Timbers unbeaten home record to sixteen.
Photo credit: via forums.bigsoccer.com
Prev Next Marcus Mariota Marcus Mariota, 21, is coming off one of the best seasons any Oregon Duck quarterback has ever experienced. He is the first Hawaiian-born athlete to ever win the Heisman trophy. This season he also led the Ducks to a 12-1 regular season record. Duck fans everywhere will be anxiously waiting to see where Mariota goes in this year's NFL Draft.
Photo credit: via Oregon Football's Facebook page
Prev Next Ellie Cribbins Ellie Cribbins is a second year Blazer Dancer for the Portland Trailblazers. Cribbins is originally from Portland, Oregon but attended Oregon State University. This season proved to be a unique one for Cribbins since her sister also made the Blazer Dancers last August.
Photo credit: via Ellie Cribbin's Facebook page
Prev Next Jake Gleeson Jake Gleeson, 24, is a New Zealand born goalie that is currently playing for the Portland Timbers. He signed with the club in February of 2011. Gleeson has taken pride over the past few years of being a young player who has worked his way up the ranks.
Photo credit: via solofutbol.cl
Prev Next Janie Takeda Janie Takeda, 21, is a senior outfielder for the University of Oregon. The Dallas Charge of the National Pro Fastpitch League recently drafted her 26th overall. Takeda was also selected to play on the United States women's national team during the 2015 summer season. She is set to graduate from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communication this spring.
Photo credit: Janie Takeda's Facebook page
Prev Next Damian Lillard Damian Lillard, 24, was the NBA's 2012 Rookie Of The Year. He was the 4th Portland Trailblazer to ever win the award. Since then he's been named an All-Star twice, as well as an All-NBA Third Team selection. Lillard had one of the most rememberable performances in Trailblazer history after he hit a three-pointer that defeated the Houston Rockets in game 6 of the 2014 NBA Playoffs.
Photo credit: Damian Lillard's Facebook page
Prev Next Maggie Rouse Maggie Rouse, 20, is a junior cheerleader for the University of Oregon. She just completed her third year on the team. When she tried out as a freshman she never expected to make the squad. Yet, here she is two years later. She is currently majoring in Educational Foundations.
Photo credit: Maggie Rouse's Facebook page
Prev Next LaMarcus Aldridge LaMarcus Aldridge, 29, is widely considered to be one of the best power-forwards in the NBA. The Texas native is averaging 23.6 points and 10.3 rebounds per game this season for the Portland Trailblazers. He is also a four-time NBA All-Star. On March 10th, 2015 Aldridge became the Trailblazers all-time leading rebounder.
Photo credit: LaMarcus Aldridge's Facebook page
Prev Next Kaytianna McMillan Kaytianna McMillan is a gymnast for the Oregon State Beavers. Over the course of 2014 McMillan battled a series of injuries, yet she was still able to overcome them in order to become the Co-Champion of the 2014 NCAA University Park Regionals. Oregon State will be lucky to have her for the next couple of years.
Photo credit: Oregon State Athletics website
Prev Next Devon Allen Devon Allen, 20, just completed his freshman year as a wide receiver for the Oregon Ducks. Not only is he the starting wide receiver for the Ducks he also runs track for the Oregon Outdoor Track and Field team. He recently earned a Gold Medal in the 110 meter hurdles during the 2014 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Although he is recovering from a torn ACL we hope to see him back on the field during the 2015-2016 season.
Phot credit: University of Oregon Facebook page
Prev Next Chase De Leo Chase De Leo, 19, currently plays center for the Portland Winterhawks. His quickness and overall creative offensive game earned him an invite to Team USA's selection camp back in December of 2014. Of all 30 players who were invited, he was only one of 2 WHL players.
Photo credit: Chase De Leo's Facebook page
Prev Next Darron Thomas Darron Thomas, 24, is a professional quarterback for the Portland Thunder of the Arena Football League. During his college days he played for the Oregon Ducks. While starting for the Ducks he led to the team to the 2011 BCS National Championship game, as well as the 2012 Rose Bowl. The Texas native recently partook in the NFL Veteran Combine with the hope of upstarting his NFL career.
Photo credit: Portland Thunder Facebook page
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