Marta Best In World Again

Brazilian Wins Third Straight FIFA Player Of The Year, Joining WPS

Jan 13, 2009 David Hein

Brazilian forward Marta collected her third straight FIFA Player of the Year as the best woman soccer player on the planet. And now she will be coming to the U.S.

Brazilian forward Marta has dominated the world of soccer for the past three years, capturing the last three FIFA Player of the Year awards. And now the 22-year-old will be joining the newly-founded Women's Professional Soccer league in the U.S. in 2009.

Beginnings With Vasco Da Gama

Marta Vieira da Silva, better known as Marta, was born on February 19, 1986 in Dois Riachos, Alagoas in Brazil. She was discovered by renowned Brazilian female coach, Helena Pacheco, when she was just 14 years old and grew up playing for the youth teams of Vasco da Gama. In 2002 she became a professional, suiting up for Santa Cruz

Move To Sweden

Marta made the jump to Europe before the 2004 season, signing with Swedish club Umea IK. She helped the club win the UEFA Women's Cup title that season, beating German side FFC Frankfurt in the two-legged final 8-0 on aggregate with Marta scoring three goals. Umea finished just second in the Swedish domestic league to Djurgarden despite 22 goals from Marta and lost the cup final 2-1 also to Djurgarden.

Swedish Titles

In 2005, Marta struck the back of the net 21 times in helping Umea to the Swedish league title, without losing a single game, though they did lose to Djurgarden 3-1 in the cup final. Marta then helped Umea to the league crowns again in 2006 and 2007.

Impressive 2007

Marta's 2007 campaign was quite impressive. She helped Umea to the Swedish league crown and the Swedish Cup, while reaching the final of the UEFA Women's Cup (losing 1-0 on aggregate to Arsenal) and won her second straight FIFA Player of the Year award. She was also inducted into the Brazilian Walk of Fame as the first woman ever.

2007 World Cup Final

Marta was awarded with the Golden Ball as the best player and Golden Shoe as top scorer at the 2007 World Cup in China. But she could not lead Brazil past Germany in the final, losing 2-0.

Second Olympic Silver Medal In 2008

Marta's 2008 season saw her lead Umea to their fourth straight Swedish league title. The club also returned to the UEFA Women's Cup final for the third time with Marta on board but lost for the second straight time - this time 4-3 on aggregate against FFC Frankfurt. Marta also returned to the Olympics for the second time, winning her second silver medal as Brazil lost to the United States in the final for the second straight time.

2009 Move To U.S., WPS

Shortly after being crowned FIFA's Player of the Year for the third straight year in 2008, Marta announced that she had reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Sol to play for the club in the inaugural season of the U.S. Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) league. The WPS is trying to revive women's soccer in the U.S. six years after the Women's United Soccer Association folded.

"Of course I am sad I am leaving, but I am happy because a new project is beginning. It is time to start something new," Marta told the French news agency AFP on January 12, 2009. "I understand the challenge and project ahead of me with the Los Angeles Sol. I'm ready to take it on and conquer all the objectives in front of me in the United States. I have in mind that a very competitive league will be created. We are looking at the future. I think it will attract many players."

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