Fortune Called Up to Brazilian National Soccer Team

     Wheaton Academy Head Coach Dave Underwood says, “We knew Leah was a special player when she came to Wheaton Academy as a freshman. I’m so proud of her and happy for her that she got called up to the Brazilian team.”

     On January 10, 2008, Kleiton Lima, head coach for the under 20 Brazilian team, invited 28 players for the first phase of preparation at the National Training Center in Teresópolis, Brazil. The team will be preparing for the South American qualification in Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil. On January 29 the final team will be announced that will travel March 2 to the Rio Grande Do Sul. The under 20 Brazilian National Team has won the South American Championships in 2004 and 2006.

     Fortune, age 17, is the youngest member of the team. She is one of two international players invited to participate, the other is from Italy. All other players invited are from Brazil. Fortune left for Brazil on Monday, January 14th.

     Attempting to put this all in perspective, Underwood says, “Leah is living the dream. She has been invited to participate with one of the top women’s soccer teams in the entire world. It’s really hard to put into words the magnitude of this opportunity.”

     Founded in 1853, Wheaton Academy is one of the nation’s oldest Christian high schools. A college preparatory school, it is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and recognized by the state of Illinois and the DuPage County Education Service Region. Wheaton Academy is a member of the Association of Christian Schools International.

Dave Pacheco
Wheaton Academy
Communications Coordinator
630-562-7511
dpacheco@wheatonacademy.org