All-Star Lineups Announced

Published on September 4, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release


ATLANTA (Wednesday, September 4, 2002) - The Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) today unveiled the starting lineups for the North and South All-Star teams that will compete in the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game in Portland, Oregon on September 21. The WUSA's inaugural All-Star Game, presented by Hyundai, will have a World Cup flavor as 13 of the 22 starters competed at the historic Women's World Cup in 1999.

Headlining the list for the South All-Stars is Washington's Mia Hamm, San Diego's Julie Foudy and 2002 WUSA Defensive Player of the Year Danielle Slaton of the Carolina Courage. San Jose's Brandi Chastain, New York's Tiffeny Milbrett and 2002 WUSA Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year Marinette Pichon of the Philadelphia Charge lead the North squad. Carolina and Philadelphia each placed five players on the starting lineups, while San Jose has four starters. Washington (3 players), San Diego (2), Atlanta (1), Boston (1) and New York (1) round out the starting lineups.

Fans, WUSA players, WUSA coaches and general managers, and a media panel selected the All-Star starting lineups. Each group's total votes represented 25 percent of the total. Five additional reserve players will be announced on Monday, September 9. The reserve players will be selected by the two All-Star head coaches in conjunction with WUSA Commissioner Tony DiCicco.

The 2002 WUSA All-Star Game will be held at PGE Park in Portland, Oregon on Saturday, September 21 at 4:00 p.m. ET (1:00 p.m. PT). The match will be broadcast live nationally on PAX TV to more than 90 million households in the United States and several other countries worldwide.

The format for the WUSA All-Star Game will feature the North All-Stars vs. the South All-Stars, as the best players from the WUSA's eight teams will be split into two squads. The North team will feature players from the Boston Breakers, New York Power, Philadelphia Charge and San Jose CyberRays, while the South will consist of athletes from the Atlanta Beat, Carolina Courage, San Diego Spirit and Washington Freedom.

Carolina Courage Head Coach Marcia McDermott and Philadelphia Charge Head Coach Mark Krikorian will serve as the head coaches of the two WUSA All-Star teams. Atlanta Beat Head Coach Tom Stone will serve as McDermott's assistant coach for the South All-Stars while San Jose CyberRays Head Coach Ian Sawyers will serve as Krikorian's assistant on the North team.

WUSA All-Star Game tickets can be purchased at PGE Park and all Portland-area Ticketmaster outlets, including select Fred Meyer and G.I. Joe's locations. Tickets are also available by calling Ticketmaster at (503) 224-4400 or by going online at www.ticketmaster.com. Individual tickets to the WUSA All-Star Game are priced from $15-$45. In addition, a special $4.75 ticket is available for a limited time only in the Fred Meyer Family Seat Section.

All-Star Bios

MELISSA MOORE GK PHILADELPHIA CHARGE 5-9 July 17, 1975 LA VERNE, CA One of the WUSA's steadiest goalkeepers, Moore was solid in net for the Charge in 2002 ... She led the WUSA in goals against average (1.00), winning percentage (70.0) and finished second in wins (11) and save percentage (78.2) during the 2002 season ... She finished third in the league in saves (86) while recording four shutouts in 2002 ... A finalist for 2002 WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year, Moore anchored the league's top defense.

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 was a consistent threat offensively for the CyberRays in 2002 ... The versatile player saw action at forward (where she played in college) and in her regular role as a defender in 2002 ... After finishing third in scoring for San Jose (4g, 3 a, 11 pts.), Chastain was named to the 2002 All-WUSA Second Team ... She was named the WUSA Player of the Week for the week ending June 16 after recording two goals and drawing the call that resulted in the game-winning penalty kick in a 4-3 victory over New York on June 15 ... 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.

JENNY BENSON D PHILADELPHIA CHARGE 5-5 Jan. 25, 1978 HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA A solid defender who played in 19 matches for the Charge in 2002, she recorded three assists in 2002, one less than 2001; however, she was more involved offensively, registering 10 more shots in her second season ... Benson was named to the All-WUSA Second Team for her performance as a member of the league's stingiest defense ... A member of the U.S. women's national team player pool since 2001, Benson recorded her second cap in a 4-0 win over Norway on July 20, 2002 ... She is currently in camp with April Heinrich's squad as it prepares for a Sept. 8 match against Scotland in Columbus, Ohio.

JENNIFER TIETJEN D PHILADELPHIA CHARGE 5-9 July 14, 1977 HUNTINGTON, NY A member of the league's top defense in 2002 (1.00 goals per game allowed), Tietjen helped guide Philadelphia to its second straight playoff berth ... She was a finalist for WUSA Defensive Player of Year in 2002 ... Named to the All-WUSA First Team, Tietjen recorded a goal and three assists for five points during her second year in the WUSA ... She recorded her first career WUSA goal in a 4-2 victory over Boston on May 4 ... Twin sister Margaret plays for the San Diego Spirit.

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 ... 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 25 ... Named to the All-WUSA First Team in 2002 and 2001, Lilly finished the 2002 season with a 10-game point-scoring streak (the longest in WUSA history) ... She is the all-time leader in international appearances in world history (men and women) with 236 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.

LORRIE FAIR M PHILADELPHIA CHARGE 5-3 Aug. 5, 1978 LOS ALTOS, CA The Philadelphia midfielder has been a solid player for the Charge during the first two WUSA seasons ... She registered five assists in 2002, increasing her assist total by three over the 2001 WUSA campaign ... Fair became more of an attacking force in the midfield for Philadelphia after the season-ending injury to Kelly Smith on June 1 ... She missed only two games for the Charge in 2002 due to national team duty ... The youngest member of the 1999 U.S. Women's World Cup squad, Fair has been a member of the U.S. national team since 1996 ... Twin sister Ronnie is a defender with the New York Power.

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 (20) registered nine helpers in 2002 ... She was named to the All-WUSA First Team in 2002 and 2001 ... The 2002 WUSA Humanitarian of the Year, Sissi was the field general of one of the WUSA's most dangerous offenses this past season ... 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.

TISHA VENTURINI-HOCH M SAN JOSE CYBERRAYS 5-6 March 3, 1973 NEWPORT BEACH, CA The San Jose midfielder caused problems for opposing defenses in 2002 ... With six goals on the season, Venturini-Hoch finished second on the team in goal scoring ... She finished tied for 19th among WUSA scoring leaders, registering six goals and an assist for 13 points ... Venturini-Hoch's point total in 2002 increased from the 2001 season as well as her shots (25) and shots on goal (16) ... She registered 132 caps with the U.S. national team from 1992 to 2000 ... She is the only player in women's soccer history to win an NCAA title, Olympic gold medal, Women's World Cup championship and Founders Cup championship.

KATIA F SAN JOSE CYBERRAYS 5-10 Feb. 18, 1977 SAO PAULO, BRAZIL The Brazilian striker has the ability to find the back on of the net every time she touches the ball ... The WUSA's leading scorer in 2002 recorded 15 goals, five assists for 35 points ... She provided the most electrifying goal in 2002 (June 9 versus San Diego), earning the WUSA Goal of the Year award ... She led the CyberRays in scoring in 2002 and 2001... A three-time WUSA Player of the Week in 2002, Katia earned WUSA Player of the Month honors after scoring seven goals in six games during the month of July ... Selected to the All-WUSA First Team in 2002 ... Was fourth in scoring during the Sydney Olympics in 2000 ... Katia began her international career as a key member of the Brazilian national team in the 1995 Women's World Cup in Sweden.

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 ... She finished fourth in the WUSA in scoring with 29 points, the only Philadelphia player to finish among the league's top 20 scorers ... Her sophisticated runs and clinical finishing resulted in 14 goals (second in the WUSA) ... A two-time WUSA Player of the Week, Pichon recorded the league's fourth-ever hat trick on July 7 ... She has been a member of the French national team since 1994.

TIFFENY MILBRETT F NEW YORK POWER 5-2 Oct. 23, 1972 PORTLAND, OR A tremendous goal scorer, Milbrett's ability to see and create dangerous chances is unmatched in the WUSA ... She is the all-time leading scorer in WUSA history (26g, 11a, 63 pts.) ... Milbrett finished eighth in the WUSA in scoring in 2002 (10 g, 8a, 28 pts.) while leading the Power in scoring for the second straight season ... The New York forward was named to the All-WUSA Second Team in 2002 ... Milbrett recorded her second career hat trick in 2002 (June 15 at San Jose) ... She has 178 appearances with the U.S. national team ... Was named U.S. Soccer's Athlete of the Year for the second straight year in 2001 ... She is among the top five on the U.S. all-time scoring list in goals (88), assists (59) and total points (235).

WUSA South All-Star Team - capsule bios

KRISTIN LUCKENBILL GK CAROLINA COURAGE 5-9 May 28, 1978 PAOLI, PA A key to Carolina's success in 2002, Luckenbill was named the 2002 WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year ... She played every minute in net for the Courage this season ... "Lucks" led all WUSA goalkeepers with 12 wins and 114 saves while ranking second in winning percentage (66.7) ... Her outstanding performance in net allowed the Courage to finish atop the WUSA standings to capture the 2002 WUSA regular season championship ... The co-Player of the Month for April became the first 'keeper in WUSA history to record more than 100 saves in a single season ... Luckenbill was also named to the All-WUSA First Team in 2002.

DANIELLE SLATON D CAROLINA COURAGE 5-6 June 10, 1980 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA The Santa Clara product made an immediate impact on the Carolina defense in 2002, earning WUSA Defensive Player of the Year honors in her rookie season ... Slaton saw action in 18 games during her first professional season, scoring four goals while finishing fourth on the Courage in scoring ... She was the first overall pick in the 2002 WUSA Draft ... Slaton was named to the All-WUSA First Team in 2002 ... She anchored a Courage defense that allowed just 1.43 goals per game in 2002 after giving up a league-high 1.90 per match in 2001 ... Slaton was a key reason Carolina had the WUSA's best away record (6-2-3) in 2002 as the Courage allowed just 1.27 goals on the road, the second lowest in the WUSA ... A member of the U.S. national team since 1999, Slaton was the youngest player on the silver medal team during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

JENNIFER GRUBB D WASHINGTON FREEDOM 5-7 July 20, 1978 HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL Fearless and strong, Grubb was Washington's true ironwoman in 2002 and the backbone of the Freedom defense ... The heart of the Freedom's back line, she has played every minute of every match for the Freedom (3,960 - including the playoffs) during the first two WUSA seasons ... 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 ... A member of the U.S national team from 1995 to 1999, Grubb recorded 12 caps while registering two goals.

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 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 this season ... A member of the U.S. national team since 1987, Fawcett has 195 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 Pac-10 Coach of the Year honors in 1997

HEGE RIISE M CAROLINA COURAGE 5-4 July 18, 1969 LORENSKOG, NORWAY The Norwegian national team star possesses great vision and passing ability that is rivaled by few players in the history of women's soccer ... The creative playmaker's 13 assists tied for second in the WUSA in 2002 ... In addition, Riise also is deadly of set pieces ... She was a member of the All-WUSA First Team in 2002 and 2001 ... Scored the first goal for Carolina at Founders Cup II as the Courage went on top defeat Washington 3-2 ... Ranks third all-time in assists in the WUSA (21) ... Has played in more than 160 matches for the Norwegian national team ... Was instrumental in Norway winning the 1995 FIFA World Cup and 2000 Sydney Olympics ... Was awarded the Golden Ball and Silver Boot at the 1995 Women's World Cup in Sweden in recognition of the tournament's Most Valuable Player and second leading scorer, respectively.

TIFFANY ROBERTS M CAROLINA COURAGE 5-3 May 5, 1977 SAN RAMON, CA 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 first 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 as she earned her 81st cap in a 4-0 win over Norway on July 21.

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 for most midfielders ... 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, ... Sawa also led the Beat in shots (46) and shots on goal (29) ...Her 20 points placed the Japanese international 13th among the WUSA scoring leaders ... 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.

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 is the ultimate professional ... Her five goals and four assists for 14 points in 2002 placed her second on the team in scoring ... Doubling her offensive output from the 2001 season, Foudy was named to the All-WUSA Second Team for the second straight season ... Three of her five goals in 2002 resulted in victories for San Diego ... A 14-year veteran of the U.S. women's national team, she is the third most capped player in U.S. history with 211 appearances ... She is the current president of the Women's Sports Foundation ... Husband Ian Sawyers is the head coach of the San Jose CyberRays and will serve as the assistant coach for the North All-Star squad.

MIA HAMM F WASHINGTON FREEDOM 5-5 March 17, 1972 AUSTIN, TX The most recognizable female soccer player in the world, 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 ... The FIFA Women's World Player of the Year in 2001, 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 130 goals, 109 assists for 369 points in 220 games.

BIRGIT PRINZ F CAROLINA COURAGE 5-9 Oct. 25, 1977 FRANKFURT, GERMANY The Most Valuable Player of Founders Cup II when Carolina defeated Washington 3-2, the German striker is an exciting player capable of scoring goals in bunches ... Prinz made her impact immediately with the Courage, scoring a goal or an assist in her first nine WUSA games ... She finished 2002 tied for second in the league in scoring with 12 goals and 8 assists for 32 points ... Her 12 goals were the most on Courage roster ... 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 ... Prinz was the only player listed among the top 10 in scoring to have played fewer than 18 games ... She scored a goal and an assist during Founders Cup II on August 24 ... A member of the German national team, Prinz has scored 39 goals in 91 appearances for her country.

ABBY WAMBACH F WASHINGTON FREEDOM 5-10 June 2, 1980 ROCHESTER, NY The first-year WUSA player proved that the transition between college and professional soccer can be a successful one as the Washington Freedom forward earned the 2002 WUSA Rookie of the Year award ... Wambach tied for fifth in the WUSA in overall scoring with 10 goals and nine assists for 29 points ... She tied for seventh in goal scoring and tied for fifth in assists during the 2002 regular season ... The WUSA Player of the Week for week five was named to the All-WUSA Second Team ... A member of the U.S. women's national team since 2001, Wambach recorded her first international goal and assist in 2002 ... Wambach is currently in camp with April Heinrich's squad as it prepares for a Sept. 8 match against Scotland in Columbus, Ohio.

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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from September 4, 2002


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