SEATTLE, WA— Mariane Gaburro, known in Italy as “Ronaldinha.” Mariane is Brazilian but she grew up in Italy and started playing soccer at 5 years old. She learned to play with boys and then went on to play with ASD Fiammamonza for several years and won a Serie A2 Championship, with 17 season goals. This year she won her second title with USD San Zaccaria, scoring 10 season goals and offering many assists to her teammates. Now she’s heading to Seattle to help AC Seattle defend their Northwest Division title in the WPSL.

Mariane was born on September 26th, 1993, in Mogi das Cruzes, Brazil, she is a forward and…surprise surprise, her favourite player is Ronaldinho. Like Ronaldhino, she is very fast and a very skilled technical and tactical player, which is why she’s called the Ronaldinha of Italian women’s soccer.

“I am enthusiastic for this great opportunity, she said, I’m proud of the soccer player I am and the player I’ll become. My ambition is to get better as a player and as a person, this is the reason I chose to take part in this experience.”

Delaney Smith is another new AC Seattle arrival. She currently plays for Evergreen State College as midfielder or forward.

Delaney began to play soccer at 8 years old, when a baseball coach saw her running and asked her if she was interested in playing soccer. “I said yes and I fell in love with the game. I have been playing ever since.”

She loves everything about soccer: training, competing, the spark of creating plays, being part of a team, the way soccer works every part of your body and mind.

Her passion for the game led her to try out for AC Seattle. She explained, “Combining two different styles and cultures to create one team: that is something I would want to be apart of. I hope to gain more soccer experience, work on my ability and style as a player.”

AC Seattle is also proud to announce that Carmela Anaclerio will be returning to the team for a second season!

Last season Carmela was an important piece in AC Seattle’s midfield, easily blocking opponents with her physical prowess. She was nicknamed “Ringhio” by club President Giuseppe Pezzano, as the Gattuso of women soccer. Ex captain of AC Seattle, Alessandra Nencioni, said ‘Carmela, along with playing an important role on the field also did a great job of keeping the group united, both on and off the field.’ “I’m excited to go back to a team where I experienced two wonderful and powerful months of soccer” Carmela said. “I look forward to repeating the adventure and to seeing people I had the pleasure of meeting last year, as well as the new players on the team. Last year we finished our season in the Regional Finals, but this year we will aim to go beyond that!”

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