Kimberly Brandão

Kimberly Brandão
Personal information
Full name Kimberly Maria Brandão
Date of birth (1984-04-26) April 26, 1984
Place of birth Rahway, New Jersey, United States
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Playing position Center Back
Club information
Current team
 Western New York Flash (WNY Flash)
Number 4
Youth career
1994–2002 Olympic Development Program (ODP) State Team
1998–2001 US Regional Team East Coast Region 1
2000–2002 Player Development Academy (PDA) Jersey Splash
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2002–2006 Rutgers University Scarlet Knights 83
2004 New Jersey Wildcats
2007 Falköpings KIK
2008 CF Puebla
2007–2008 Jersey Sky Blue
2009–2010 Buffalo Flash
2011– Western New York Flash (WNY Flash)
National team
2007–2012 Portugal 32

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

† Appearances (goals)

Kimberly Maria Brandão (born April 26, 1984) is a Portuguese American professional women's soccer player who is currently a captain of the Portugal Women's National Team, which she has represented since 2007. At club level, Brandão plays professionally for the 2011 WPS Champions Western New York Flash (WNY Flash), and has been a professional player since 2007. She has won National Championships in 2010 (W-League) and 2011 (WPS).

Brandão was born in Rahway, New Jersey, 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. In March 2011, she became the first Luso-American woman to sign for a WPS 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 standings to five points, and the team spent most of the season atop the standings. On August 14, 2011, WNY Flash were crowned WPS 2011 regular season Champions, as the highest scoring team in WPS history. On August 27, 2011, WNY Flash then went on to win the WPS Championship match, live on national television.

WNY Flash joined the WPS in 2011. The team trains out of Elma, near Buffalo and plays in Rochester, NY. WNY Flash was formerly known as Buffalo Flash, who Brandão captained in the 2009 and 2010 seasons. As a professional franchise in an amateur/semi-professional league, Buffalo Flash, won the United Soccer Leagues' W-League in 2010. Live on national television on Fox Soccer Channel, Brandão captained the Flash to its first ever W-League Championship. In the national champion's undefeated season, Brandão was named to the All-Conference Team, and topped the W-League 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 and in the Spanish Superliga Femenina, trained with Arsenal Ladies in England, and in the W-League she played for the New Jersey Wildcats (2004, reaching W-LeagueChampionship Final), and Jersey Sky Blue (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, she was a two-year Team Captain, two-year Team MVP, and four-time All-BIG EAST Selection.

o PORTUGAL WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM 2007–2012 (CAPTAIN 2009–2012)
Has been Portugal WNT co-captain since the 2009 Algarve Cup which at the time became Portugal’s best ever performance (three wins, one tie).
In the 2011 Algarve Cup Brandão led Portugal 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 Brandão led Portugal to its biggest ever win (5–0) in the 17 year history of the tournament.
Led Portugal 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 next 23 matches after October 2007 debut
Played every minute of Portugal's matches in its best ever 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Qualifying campaign from Sept 2009 – June 2010
Played every minute of all Portugal matches at the 2008 Algarve Cup, 2009 Algarve Cup & 2010 Algarve Cup
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 Champions in its inaugural season as a WPS 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 Championship, 2010
Led W-League 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 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 (England)

o USL W-League – JERSEY SKY BLUE, 2007
Anchored a Sky Blue 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 (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 ended regular season 14–0
Squad included Kelly Smith (England), Marinette Pichon (France) and Anne Mäkinen (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
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

v As a Senior (2006):
Rutgers MVP
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
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/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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