Player Spotlight: Kelly Smith

Many would consider Kelly Smith to be the best female footballer in England. Some would say she is one of the best in the world.

Growing up in Watford, England, Smith surrounded herself with soccer. At the age of 16, she became a member of the English National Team. Earning 74 caps and 30 goals, she has been a constant stronghold in the team's offense.

After Smith's freshman year of college in England, she transferred to Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ. While at SHU, playing under head coach Betty Ann Kempf, Smith became the first athlete in any sport to win the Big East Conference's Offensive Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year awards...in the same year. The following two seasons, Smith took home Offensive Player honors yet again, and was the leading scorer among all NCAA Division 1 teams. Smith became the first athlete (in a sport other than basketball) to have her number retired for the Pirates.

In 2000, Smith was drafted by the WUSA's Philadelphia Charge where she teamed up with current WPS players, Cat Whitehill and Heather Mitts. Due to several injuries, Smith only played one full season with the Charge though she was on its roster from 2000-2003. Smith then transitioned to New Jersey's W-League team, where again she was sidelined by injury.

In 2004, Smith left the States and headed back across the pond to play for Arsenal Ladies. Again, Smith was injured, therefore, delaying her start. In 2005, she returned to the pitch, and has since scored 103 goals in 114 appearances for Arsenal Ladies. In 2006 and 2008, Smith was a top five finalist for the FIFA Women's World Player award ( 2006 honors went to Mia Hamm, 2008 honors went to Marta). This March, Smith, and teammate Alex Scott played their last Arsenal game before leaving to join the Boston Breakers in preseason training camp.

Good luck Kelly! I'd say break a leg, but with you it may be just a bit too literal. ;-)