PORTLAND, Ore. --- Former Portland Pilots women’s soccer standouts Cori Alexander and Rachael Rapinoe will join other American coaches Jakarta, Surabaya, as part of the The Indonesia America Soccer Exchange, which takes place this month. Alexander and Rapinoe were chosen to represent the U.S. by the International Center’s Sports Corps program.

 

While in Jakarta, Alexander and Rapinoe will help conduct three one-day training clinics for approximately 200-300 female athletes and 30 coaches. Alexander, an All-American goalkeeper for UP, and Rapinoe, a prolific scorer for the Pilots, will then lead a 10-day visit to the United States for a smaller group of coaches and athletes during the summer of 2011.

 

Program Director Karen Willoughby cites Cori and Rachael’s ability to “connect with young people, their passion and love for the game, plus an understanding of cultural relationships” in their selection.

 

This sports exchange program is possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of State’s SportsUnited Program and aims to further improve understanding between the people of Indonesia and the United States through the medium of youth sports.