[PORTLAND WOMEN] Californians Michelle Cruz (Real So Cal) and Nichole Downing (Surf), Erin Dees, yet another top goalie out of Eclipse Select, Amanda Frisbie (Dallas Texans) and Ellen Parker (Sereno) head Portland's recruiting class.

Sarah Bridges, the Oregon State Player of the Year, and FC Portland teammate Micaela Capelle complete the 2010 class.

“The field players are all offensive-minded players that will only enhance our attack from last year, which led the nation in goal scoring,” Garrett Smith said. “All of them have great offensive gifts and a capacity to work hard on defense. It was exciting to see what we could accomplish as a goal-scoring team last year, but now the future looks even brighter.
 
“Securing two top national goalkeepers will give us the stability we have grown accustomed to defensively. To be able to recruit top out-of-region talent shows that the Portland name is being recognized nationally and players want to come to the Northwest.”

Cruz, a midfielder, is headed this week to Spain with the U.S. under-18 national team.