University of Memphis Athletics
Atlanta Beat Sign Vendula Strnadova
Jan 27, 2011 | Women's Soccer
Jan. 27, 2011
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Atlanta Beat of Women's Professional Soccer announced Thursday that University of Memphis senior midfielder Vendula Strnadova has signed a free agent deal to join the 2011 roster.
Strnadova, the Conference USA Midfielder of the Year and four-time first team all-conference selection, wrapped up her Memphis career with a four goal, six assist campaign to climb to fifth place in program history in each category. Starting all 22 matches, Strnadova is tied for the program for matches played with 86 and also holds the record for shots in a career with 246.
"I am really happy to get this chance and I can't wait to get started with the Atlanta Beat," Strnadova said. "First, I am excited to go back to Memphis and train with the team that helped me get this far and then I will move on to begin my professional career."
The Las Cruces, N.M., native is a three-time first team NSCAA All-Central Region selection and was a major factor in Memphis' fourth-straight C-USA Championship in 2010. Memphis finished with a 15-4-3 record, the second-best finish in program history, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for a fourth-straight season.
The Atlanta Beat joined Women's Professional Soccer as one of two expansion clubs in the 2010 season. Atlanta entrepreneur T. Fitz Johnson secured the rights to the Atlanta team in September 2008 before the club officially became a WPS franchise on June 18, 2009. The Beat play all WPS home games in Kennesaw Georgia at KSU Soccer Stadium, the world's only women's soccer specific stadium of this magnitude.
Atlanta's new team takes on the same name as the market's former Women's United Soccer Association club which was the only WUSA team to reach the playoffs in every season. The Beat's colors are Ferrari Red, Championship Gold, and Black.
WPS is the highest level women's professional soccer league in North America. Formed in September 2007 as the result of the efforts of the Women's Soccer Initiative, Inc., WPS, began play on March 29, 2009.
Committed teams for the 2011 season are the Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence, Sky Blue FC (NJ / NY), Washington Freedom and the Western New York Flash. WPS continues to explore additional potential franchises for 2012 and beyond.
Franchises are individually owned and operated by a group of investors in each market. In addition, two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash and former Yahoo! President and COO Jeff Mallett are investors and part owners in the league.
Strnadova will report to Kennesaw, Ga., March 1 to begin training with the Atlanta Beat. The Atlanta Beat host the Boston Breakers on April 9 to kick-off the 2011 season.
