Women's soccer: Schmedes returns to top-level soccer

Kelly Schmedes, a 2001 Permian High School graduate, could be in the starting lineup today as the Boston Breakers play their inaugural game as the Women's Professional Soccer season continues to get under way.

Boston is playing at 5 p.m. CDT today against FC Gold Pride at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) made its debut last week and is a top-level league that features many of the world's best players. Today's game will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel.

Schmedes went on to a standout career for the University of Texas from 2001-2004 and was named on the Big 12's 10th Anniversary Team in 2005.

She made four appearances with the full U.S. women's national team and played for several U.S. youth team national squads, highlighted by a starring role on the 2002 FIFA Under-19 Women's World Championship-winner team.

In recent years, Schmedes has been playing for the Charlotte Eagles of the W-League and was drafted in the sixth round by the Breakers in January. Last month for the Breakers, she scored three goals in a scrimmage victory against Boston College and added another goal in a scrimmage victory against Florida.

Breakers head coach Ton DiCicco, who led the U.S. to the Women's World Cup victory in 1999, said Schmedes could see time at either forward or attacking midfielder.