2003 All-Star Starters Unveiled

June 3, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release


ATLANTA (Tuesday, June 3 2002) - The Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) today unveiled the starting lineups for the American Stars and World Stars teams that will compete in the 2003 Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game in Cary, NC on June 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET. The All-Star Game will be televised on ESPN2 and will provide a World Cup preview as all of the top players who are expected to compete in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup will be in Cary for the three-day event.

Headlining the list for the American Stars is Washington's Mia Hamm, Boston's Kristine Lilly, Atlanta's Briana Scurry, San Diego's Julie Foudy and 2002 Hyundai All-Star MVP Abby Wambach. San Jose's Sissi, Carolina's Birgit Prinz and 2002 WUSA Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year Marinette Pichon of the Philadelphia Charge lead the World Stars. Washington and Atlanta each placed four players on the starting lineups, while San Jose, San Diego, Boston and Carolina have three starters. Philadelphia (1) and New York (1) round out the starting lineups.

Fans, WUSA coaches and general managers, and a media panel selected the All-Star starting lineups. Each group's total votes represented 33.3 percent of the total. Five additional reserve players will be announced on June 9. The reserve players will be selected by the two All-Star head coaches in conjunction with WUSA Commissioner Tony DiCicco.

WUSA AMERICAN STARS STARTING LINEUP

GK Briana Scurry Atlanta Leads the league in goals against average (0.63)
DEF Joy Fawcett San Diego U.S. national team veteran has three children
DEF Brandi Chastain San Jose Scored memorable PK to win World Cup '99
DEF Jennifer Grubb Washington Has played in every minute of every Freedom game in three seasons
MID Aly Wagner San Diego First overall selection in the 2003 WUSA draft and youngest All-Star starter
MID Kristine Lilly Boston Is the world leader (men and women) in national team appearances (251)
MID Julie Foudy San Diego Captain of the U.S. national team
MID Tiffany Roberts Carolina Many coaches consider her the WUSA's best defensive midfielder
F Mia Hamm Washington The world's all-time leading scorer at the international level
F Abby Wambach Washington 2002 Hyundai All-Star Most Valuable Player
F Tiffeny Milbrett New York The WUSA's all-time leading goal scorer (29)

WUSA WORLD STARS STARTING LINEUP

GK Karina LeBlanc Boston Leads the WUSA in saves (38)
DEF Steffi Jones Washington Has guided Washington to a 14-2-4 record since her arrival (June 8, 2002)
DEF Sharolta Nonen Atlanta Anchors the league's stingiest defense (0.63 goals per game)
DEF Unni Lehn Carolina Has appeared in nearly every match for Norway since August 1996
MID Maren Meinert Boston One of two players in WUSA history to record 20 goals and 20 assists
MID Sissi San Jose Creative player tied for the scoring lead at Women's World Cup '99
MID Homare Sawa Atlanta Dangerous attacking midfielder is Japan's best player
MID Pretinha San Jose Scored first goal in WUSA history (70th-minute PK on April 14, 2001)
F Maribel Dominguez Atlanta Rookie sensation named WUSA Player of the Month for April
F Marinette Pichon Philadelphia 2002 WUSA Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year
F Birgit Prinz Carolina German star was the MVP of Founders Cup II

The 2003 Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game will be held at SAS Stadium in Cary, North Carolina on Thursday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT). The match will be broadcast live nationally on ESPN2 and will provide a look at all of the top female soccer players in the world who are expected to star in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup in September and October.

The format for the 2003 WUSA All-Star Game will feature the WUSA American Stars vs. the WUSA World Stars, as the best players from the WUSA's eight teams will be split into two squads.

Washington Freedom Head Coach Jim Gabarra (American Stars) and Atlanta Beat Head Coach Tom Stone (World Stars) will serve as the head coaches of the two WUSA All-Star teams.

20 of the 22 All-Star starters are expected to take part in the 2003 Women's World Cup in September and October. 10 of the 11 starters named to the American squad will likely suit up for the defending World Champions. If Mexico and Japan qualify, 10 of 11 starters on the World squad will be members of their respective teams.

WUSA All-Star Game tickets can be purchased at all Triangle area Kroger and Hecht's stores or by calling (919) 573-7626. Tickets are also available by calling Ticketmaster at (919) 834-4000 or by going on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. Individual tickets to the WUSA All-Star Game are priced from $13-$35.

Featuring the best women's soccer players in the world, WUSA athletes include Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain, Tiffeny Milbrett, Briana Scurry, Kristine Lilly, Julie Foudy and dozens of international stars. Approximately 50 WUSA players will compete in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup in China in September and October. The eight WUSA teams are the Atlanta Beat, Boston Breakers, Carolina Courage, New York Power, Philadelphia Charge, San Diego Spirit, San Jose CyberRays and the Washington Freedom.

WUSA American Stars Team - capsule bios (as of June 3)

BRIANA SCURRY GK ATLANTA BEAT 5-8 Sept. 7, 1971 DAYTON, MN One of the world's best goalkeepers, Scurry possess excellent athletic ability and a deep knowledge of the goalkeeping position ... She currently leads the WUSA in goals against average (0.63), shutouts (3), saves percentage (86.1) and is tied for the league lead in catch punches (34) ... She is first in career shutouts in the WUSA with 16 ... She was named to the All-WUSA Second Team in both 2001 and 2002 ... Scurry was a finalist for the 2002 WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year ... The number one goalkeeper for the U.S. from 1994-1999, Scurry returned to the U.S. national team in 2002 and is the likely starter at World Cup 2003 ... She is the only goalkeeper to record 100 career appearances for the U.S. national team (117 as of June 3) ... She made a penalty kick save on China's third shot, giving the U.S. the chance to win the World Cup title in 1999 ... Scurry played the second half for the WUSA South squad at the 2002 All-Star Game, shutting out the North All-Stars while playing the second half of a 6-1 victory.

BRANDI CHASTAIN D SAN JOSE CYBERRAYS 5-7 July 21, 1968 SAN JOSE, CA One of the most recognizable figures in women's soccer, Chastain is one of the WUSA's most versatile players ... In 2002, she saw action at forward (where she played in college) and in her regular role as a defender ... Chastain was named to the 2002 All-WUSA Second Team and was a starter on the North squad at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game ... ... A member of the U.S. national team since 1988, Chastain is best known for her heroics in the 1999 Women's World Cup when she scored the game-winning penalty kick in the championship match against China ... She was also a member of the U.S. national team that won the first women's world soccer championship in 1991 and the first women's Olympic gold medal in soccer in 1996 ... The fifth oldest player in the WUSA, Chastain is expected to start for the U.S. at the 2003 Women's World Cup.

JOY FAWCETT D SAN DIEGO SPIRIT 5-5 Feb. 8, 1968 HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA The ultimate soccer mom (she has three children), Fawcett brings an instant confidence and dominance to her team's back line ... One of the best attacking fullbacks in the WUSA, Fawcett is one of the key reasons behind San Diego's early-season success in 2003 ... A forward during her college days, Fawcett will move forward on occasion, as she registered a goal and an assist in 2002 ... After missing much of the season in 2001, she played and started in all but two of San Diego's games in 2002 ... A member of the U.S. national team since 1987, Fawcett has 213 caps in her international career, the fourth most capped player in U.S. history ... She was the head coach of the UCLA women's team from 1993-1997, earning Pac­10 Coach of the Year honors in 1997 ... The third oldest player in the WUSA, Fawcett started for the South All-Stars at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game.

JENNIFER GRUBB D WASHINGTON FREEDOM 5-7 July 20, 1978 HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL The true iron woman of the WUSA, she is the only player in the league to play in every minute of every match for her team in the league's three-year history (4,590 - including the playoffs) ... She was named to the 2002 All-WUSA Second Team ... One of the best markers in the WUSA, Grubb will also go forward from time to time ... She had two goals in 2002, but she has yet to find the back of the net in 2003 ... A member of the U.S national team from 1995 to 1999, Grubb recorded 12 caps while registering two goals ... Grubb started for the South All-Stars at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game.

KRISTINE LILLY M BOSTON BREAKERS 5-4 July 22, 1971 WILTON, CT The heart and soul of the Boston Breakers is one of the best technical and tactical players in the WUSA ... The Breakers co-captain, Lilly has played in the outside midfielder position throughout this season ... In 2002, she finished tied for fourth in the WUSA in points scored with 29 (8g, 13 a) ... Lilly leads the WUSA in all-time assists with 28 and has suffered more fouls than any other WUSA player (122) ... Named to the All-WUSA First Team in 2002 and 2001, Lilly's 11-game point-scoring streak from June 22, 2002 to April 5, 2003 is the longest in WUSA history ... She is the all-time leader in international appearances in world history (men and women) with 251 caps ... She was a member of the 1991 and 1999 Women's World Cup championship teams and the U.S. team that won the 1996 Olympic gold medal ... Lilly was named a started for the North All-Stars at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game; however, she did not participate due to family reasons.

TIFFANY ROBERTS M CAROLINA COURAGE 5-3 May 5, 1977 SAN RAMON, CA Roberts was a key to Carolina winning Founders Cup II in 2002 as she shut down opposing defenses before they became a real threat to score ... Considered by many coaches to be the WUSA's top defensive midfielder, Roberts has been critical to stopping the opponent's attack before it reaches the defensive third ... Roberts recorded her only WUSA goal one day before her 25th birthday in a 1-0 victory over Atlanta on May 4 ... She also registered four assists on the season for a total of six points in 2002 ... Roberts, who was a starter on the 1995 U.S. World Cup team when she was 18, played herself back into the national team picture last year with her stellar play in the WUSA ... She has 97 appearances for the U.S. ... Roberts started for the South All-Stars at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game.

JULIE FOUDY M SAN DIEGO SPIRIT 5-6 Jan. 23, 1971 MISSION VIEJO, CA The captain of the U.S. national team and the Spirit, Foudy had five goals and four assists for 14 points in 2002, placing her second on the team in scoring ... She's continued the scoring trend in 2003 with two goals and one assist through eight games ... In 2002, Foudy was named to the All-WUSA Second Team for the second consecutive season ... Three of her five goals in 2002 resulted in victories for San Diego ... A 15-year veteran of the U.S. women's national team, she is the third most capped player in U.S. history with 227 appearances ... She is the former president of the Women's Sports Foundation and a passionate advocate for Title IX ... Husband Ian Sawyers is the head coach of the San Jose CyberRays ... Foudy started for the South All-Stars at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game.

ALY WAGNER M SAN DIEGO SPIRIT 5-5 Aug. 10, 1980 SAN JOSE, CA Soccer America calls her the most gifted playmaker the United States has produced ... Wagner was the first selection in the 2003 WUSA Draft and is a key reason why San Diego is enjoying its best start in club history ... The 22-year-old Santa Clara University product has secured her position as the U.S. national team's creative playmaker and is expected to start on the World Cup team this fall ... Wagner was a high school teammate of 2002 WUSA Defender of the Year Danielle Slaton of the Carolina Courage ... Only 22, she has 43 caps and 10 goals for the U.S. national team ... The youngest All-Star starter, Wagner is the only member of the American stars that did not play in the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game in Portland.

TIFFENY MILBRETT F NEW YORK POWER 5-2 Oct. 23, 1972 PORTLAND, OR A tremendous goal scorer, Milbrett's 29 goals are the most in WUSA regular season history ... Her 71 points all-time are tied for the WUSA lead ... Her ability to see and create dangerous chances combined with her speed are unmatched in the WUSA ... Milbrett finished eighth in the WUSA in scoring in 2002 (10 g, 8a, 28 pts.) and is currently tied for 11th in WUSA scoring with three goals and two assists ... The New York forward was named to the All-WUSA Second Team in 2002 ... Milbrett has two career hat tricks, the only WUSA player to have more than one three-goal game ... She has 187 appearances and 97 goals with the U.S. national team ... Milbrett needs just three more goals to become the fifth player in world history to score 100 international goals ... She is a two-time recipient of U.S. Soccer's Athlete of the Year (2001, 2002) ... Milbrett started for the North All-Stars at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game.

MIA HAMM F WASHINGTON FREEDOM 5-5 March 17, 1972 AUSTIN, TX The most recognizable female soccer player in the world, Hamm is a two-time FIFA Women's World Player of the Year (2001, 2002) ... She is currently tied for the WUSA lead in scoring with six goals and four assists for 16 points ... Hamm was one of the most exciting players to watch in the WUSA in 2002 after returning from offseason knee surgery on June 12 ... She finished 12th in WUSA scoring (8g, 6a, 22 pts.) despite having played just 506 minutes ... Hamm was named to the All-WUSA second team in 2002 after leading her squad to a 9-1-2 record since her return on June 12 ... She scored an incredible goal at Founders Cup II in Washington's 3-2 loss to the Carolina Courage ... She is the world's all-time leading scorer at the international level with 139 goals in 234 games ... Hamm started for the South All-Stars at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game.

ABBY WAMBACH F WASHINGTON FREEDOM 5-10 June 2, 1980 ROCHESTER, NY The 2002 Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, Wambach scored two goals and added one assist in the North's 6-1 win over the South at the inaugural WUSA All-Star game last year ... The Washington Freedom forward earned the 2002 WUSA Rookie of the Year award when she tied for fifth in the WUSA in overall scoring with 10 goals and nine assists for 29 points ... For the 2003 season, Wambach is tied for seventh in WUSA scoring with four goals and three assists for 11 points ... She was named to the All-WUSA Second Team in 2002 ... A member of the U.S. women's national team since 2001, Wambach has five goals in 10 appearances for the U.S. national team ... Wambach started for the South All-Stars at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game.

WUSA World Stars Team - capsule bios (as of June 3, 2003)

KARINA LEBLANC GK BOSTON BREAKERS 5-9 March 30, 1980 MAPLE RIDGE, B.C. LeBlanc has been the Breakers' starting goalkeeper for two seasons ... She has played every minute of every game in 2003 and started 17 of 21 games in 2002 .... LeBlanc earned her first WUSA Player of the Week honors when she shut out San Jose, 1-0, on May 31 ... She is the only Breakers player other than Dagny Mellgren to earn that honor ... LeBlanc leads the league in saves with 38 and is second in the league in catches and punches with 31... She is the team's all-time leader in wins (11), saves (111) and goals against average (1.63)... LeBlanc has earned 29 caps and nine shutouts with the Canadian national team... She was a member of Canada's 1999 World Cup team.

STEFFI JONES D WASHINGTON FREEDOM 5-11 Dec. 22, 1972 FRANKFURT, GERMANY A dominant defensive presence for the Freedom, Jones is one of the most internationally experienced players on Washington's roster... Jones has registered two assists in seven matches during the 2003 season... She has helped lead the Freedom to first place in the WUSA standings (5-1-1)... Since her arrival (June 8, 2002), Washington has gone 14-2-4... In her first season with the Freedom (2002), Jones contributed three assists... She has 74 caps and five goals with the German national team... She was a member of the bronze medal-winning squad at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia and a member of the 1999 Women's World Cup team.

SHAROLTA NONEN D ATLANTA BEAT 5-6 Dec. 30, 1977 VANCOUVER, B.C. The anchor of the league's stingiest defense (0.63 goals per game), Nonen continues to develop into one of the few players who can defend the fastest, quickest and strongest players in the WUSA... In 2003, Nonen has registered one assist in eight matches... She has helped guide Atlanta to second place in the WUSA standings with a 4-1-3 record... Nonen has played and started in more games (49) than any other player in Atlanta's history... She is the all-time leader in minutes played (4,395) for the Beat... A member of the Canadian national team, Nonen 43 caps... She recorded her first international goal in a 1-1 draw with Sweden on March 16, 2003... Nonen was a member of Canada's 1999 Women's World Cup team.

UNNI LEHN D CAROLINA COURAGE 5-6 June 7, 1977 TRONDHEIM, NORWAY Lehn is a tactically sound and efficient soccer player... In six matches, the Norwegian international has registered four assists for Carolina during the 2003 season... Her four assists are tied for third in the WUSA among league leaders... During the 2002 season, Lehn scored two goals and three assists... While playing club soccer with Trondheims-Orn (Norway), Lehn tallied 90 goals in 281 matches... She has notched 87 caps and 19 goals with the Norwegian national team... Lehn has appeared in nearly every match for Norway since joining the full national team in August of 1996... She was a member of the gold medal-winning team at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

MAREN MEINERT M BOSTON BREAKERS 5-6 Aug. 5, 1973 DUISBERG, GERMANY Meinert, who was named a co-captain this season, is the Breakers all-time leading scorer with 21 goals, 27 assists for 69 points ... She leads the Breakers and the WUSA this season with six goals and four assists for 16 points ... Meinert has scored a goal or notched an assist in seven straight games ... She has connected with Dagny Mellgren on four goals this season ... She has 12 multiple point games in her career ... Meinert is second only to Kristine Lilly in the Breakers all-time assists leaders with 27 ... She was voted as the Breakers Team MVP for the 2002 season... She was named to the All-WUSA Second Team in 2002 and the All-WUSA First Team in 2001 ... She finished the 2002 season tied for first in points scored for the Breakers ... She retired from national team duty after helping Germany capture the 2001 European Championship ... She was a member of the German national team that won the Bronze Medal in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia... Meinert was named as a reserve for the North All-Stars at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game.

HOMARE SAWA M ATLANTA BEAT 5-5 Sept. 6, 1978 TOKYO, JAPAN One of the most crafty and dangerous players in the WUSA, Sawa's athleticism and speed separates her from most midfielders ... During the 2003 season, Sawa has recorded three goals and two assists for eight points... Sawa ranks second on the Beat in shots (19) and shots on goal (11)... She was named to the All-WUSA First Team in 2002 ... Sawa became a major part of Atlanta's attack in 2002, scoring seven goals and six assists for 20 points in 2002 ... She increased her offensive output by 150 percent in 2002 after recording eight points in 2001 ... She has been a member of the Japanese national team since 1995 and competed for her country in the 1995 and 1999 Women's World Cups... Sawa started for the South All-Stars at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game.

SISSI M SAN JOSE CYBERRAYS 5-5 June 2, 1967 SAO PAULO, BRAZIL The Brazilian playmaker has the uncanny ability to create goal scoring chances ... The CyberRays all-time assist leader (24) has registered four helpers in 2003 ... Sissi is the league's all-time leader in game-winning assists (10)... She became the first player in WUSA history to record 100 corner kicks on May, 31, 2003... She was named to the All-WUSA First Team in 2002 and 2001 ... The 2002 WUSA Humanitarian of the Year, Sissi is the field general of one of the WUSA's most dangerous offenses ... A member of the Brazilian national team, Sissi was the co-scoring leader in the 1999 Women's World Cup (seven goals) ... She has played in all three Women's World Cups and both Olympic women's soccer tournaments... Sissi started for the North All-Stars at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game.

PRETIHNA M SAN JOSE CYBERRAYS 5-2 May 19, 1975 RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL One-third of San Jose's "Brazilian Triangle", Pretinha has become an attacking threat in the WUSA... The team leader in scoring in 2003 (3 goals, 1a, 7 points), Pretinha has guided the CyberRays to their best start in club history (4-4-0)... The 5-foot-2 midfielder leads San Jose in total shots (16)... She registered four goals and five assists during her first season with San Jose (2002)... In 2001, Pretinha notched five goals and two assists as a member of the Washington Freedom...Pretinha scored the first goal in WUSA history when she connected on a penalty kick in the 70th minute of the Inaugural Game (April 14, 2001)... A member of the Brazilian national team, Pretinha scored three goals in the 1999 Women's World Cup... Her debut with the national team was in the first Women's World Cup in China in 1991.

MARIBEL DOMINGUEZ F ATLANTA BEAT 5-4 Nov. 18, 1978 MEXICO CITY, MEXICO A quick and crafty striker, Dominguez has drawn league-wide attention in her first eight games of WUSA action... Tied for the league lead in scoring (6 goals, 4 assist, 16 points), Dominguez was named the WUSA Player of the Month for the month of April... The first-year player, is tied for the league lead in goals scored (6)... She leads the WUSA in shots (32)... She became the fifth player in WUSA history to record a hat trick, registering three goals and an assist versus Boston on April 12, 2003... Her scoring prowess has earned her the nickname "Mari -Goal" from her Beat teammates... She is the all-time leading scorer and team captain of the Mexican national team... She most recently guided Mexico to a third place finish in the 2002 Women's Gold Cup (will play third place AFC team for berth in 2003 Women's World Cup)... A member of the 1999 Women's World Cup squad, scoring Mexico's lone goal of the tournament.

BIRGIT PRINZ F CAROLINA COURAGE 5-9 Oct. 25, 1977 FRANKFURT, GERMANY One of the most dominating players in the world, Prinz' size, strength and tactical mind make her almost impossible to stop... In 2003, Prinz is second on the Courage roster and ninth in the WUSA in scoring (4 goals, 2 assist, 10 points)... She was named the Most Valuable Player of Founders Cup II when Carolina defeated Washington 3-2 ... She finished 2002 tied for second in the league in scoring with 12 goals and 8 assists for 32 points ... She was named to the All-WUSA First Team in 2002 ... She led the WUSA in points per game (2.13) after playing in only 15 matches in 2002 ... A member of the German national team, Prinz has scored 51 goals in 102 appearances for her country... Finished second in FIFA World Player of the Year voting in 2002... She was named as a starter for the South All-Stars at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game; however, she did not participate due to prior club team commitment.

MARINETTE PICHON F PHILADELPHIA CHARGE 5-3 Nov. 26, 1975 SAINT MEMMIE, FRANCE The 5-foot-3 striker from Saint Memmie, France was the 2002 WUSA Most Valuable Player, Offensive Player of the Year and a member of the All-WUSA First Team ... Pichon leads the Charge in scoring with five goals and one assist during the 2003 season... She ranks second in the WUSA in goals per game (0.83)... Her six career multiple-goal games ranks second all-time in WUSA history... In 2002, she finished fourth in the WUSA in scoring with 29 points, the only Philadelphia player to finish among the league's top 20 scorers ... A two-time WUSA Player of the Week in 2002, Pichon recorded the league's fourth-ever hat trick on July 7 ... She has been a member of the French national team since 1994... She led France to a berth in the 2003 Women's World Cup after scoring the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over England on November 16, 2002... Pichon started for the North All-Stars at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from June 3, 2003


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