2003 WUSA Championship Awarded to San Diego
March 26, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
ATLANTA (Wednesday, March 26, 2003) - After two seasons of hosting the league's championship game on the East Coast, the two best teams in the WUSA will battle for the league title in Southern California, as Founders Cup III will be played at San Diego's Torero Stadium on August 24 at 4:00 pm ET.
Torero Stadium, the home of the WUSA's San Diego Spirit located on the campus of the University of San Diego, is one America's best soccer venues. The cozy confines of Torero Stadium provide some of the best sight lines for soccer in the United States as fans are nearly on top of the field. WUSA officials are reviewing options to increase the 7,035-seat venue for Founders Cup III.
"We're pleased to bring the WUSA's championship to San Diego and the passionate soccer fans in Southern California," said WUSA President & CEO Lynn Morgan. "The first two Founders Cups were two of the most exciting games in league history. We look forward to continuing this trend in 2003."
Founders Cup III continues San Diego's tradition of world-class sporting events. Dubbed "America's Finest City," San Diego has hosted the NFL Super Bowl, the America's Cup, Major League Baseball All-Star Game and the Major League Soccer All-Star Game. On the soccer front, international matches are regularly held in San Diego, including the recent U.S. women's national team match against Japan in January 2003. The San Diego Sockers are indoor soccer's most decorated franchise, having won 10 championships in the 1980s and 90s. Also, San Diego was the host of Soccer Bowl '82, the NASL's championship game that saw the New York Cosmos defeat the Seattle Sounders 1-0 on a goal by the legendary Giorgio Chinaglia.
Founders Cup III weekend will feature numerous events throughout the city of San Diego, including receptions and parties, player/coach functions, as well as several other exciting endeavors which celebrate the sport of soccer and showcase the women's game.
The first two WUSA Founders Cups featured two thrilling matches. Foxboro Stadium in New England was host to the inaugural Founders Cup on August 25, 2001. The Bay Area (now San Jose) CyberRays became the first team in league history to hoist the Founders Cup after defeating the Atlanta Beat 4-2 on penalty kicks following a 3-3 tie in regulation. The Carolina Courage defeated the Washington Freedom 3-2 at Founders Cup II on August 24, 2002 at Herndon Stadium in Atlanta.
Complete details on Founders Cup III such as ticket information, the official logo and national television network will be announced in the near future.
WUSA FOUNDERS CUP III FACT FILE
WHAT: WUSA Founders Cup III Championship Match
WHEN: Sunday, August 24
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
WHERE: Torero Stadium - San Diego, California
WHO: The WUSA's two best teams
2003 WUSA PLAYOFF FORMAT
Similar to the 2001 and 2002 seasons, the WUSA's third campaign will feature the top four teams advancing to the WUSA Playoffs. The four clubs that accumulate the highest point totals during the 21-game regular season will qualify for the postseason.
The WUSA regular season champion will receive the number one seed with the second place club seeded number two. The top two seeds will host the third and fourth seeded clubs for a one-game playoff semifinal during the weekend of August 16-17. WUSA Playoff Semifinal winners advance to Founders Cup III on August 24 in San Diego.
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. The league will kick off its third season April 5, 2003.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from March 26, 2003
- San Diego Spirit Falls 2-1 - San Diego Spirit
- New York Power Defeat Penn State University, 5-1 - New York Power
- 2003 WUSA Championship Awarded to San Diego - WUSA
- CyberRays waive F Kim Clark, claim ex-Carolina F Katie Barnes - San Jose CyberRays
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