[RECRUITING] Portland remains one of the premier destinations for top women's recruits, as evidenced by the Pilots' 2008 signees, headed by U.S. national youth team players Danielle Foxhoven (Colorado Rush), Michelle Olivier (Concorde Fire) and Charney Burk (Slammers FC).

Foxhoven is in the U-20 national team player pool after competing the previous two years with the U-17 national team. She has helped the Rush to six state club titles, and was twice named the Colorado High School Player of the Year in three years playing at J.K. Mullen High School which included a 2007 state title.

Olivier, a 5-9 central defender with the U-18 national team, is the first-ever Pilot recruit from Georgia.
 
 "Michelle brings stability to a back line," UP coach Garrett Smith said. "She is dominant in the air and has the on-ball composure of a midfielder."

Burk, a 5-3 midfielder, has traveled with the U-16s to the Netherlands and U-18s to Spain.
 
"Charney has battled some injuries, but has come back strong and played well with the youth national teams," Smith said. "She is a technically sound and creative attacking player and I wouldn't make the mistake of judging her by size."

The UP class also includes Kassi McCluskie (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and Halley Kreminski (Eagle, Idaho).