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All-Stars Flavored by Cup Play

June 16, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release


ATLANTA (Monday, June 16, 2003) - Soccer Fans will have a preview of the top stars who are expected to shine in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup when the world's best female soccer players showcase their skills at the Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game on Thursday, June 19 at 7:30 pm ET (ESPN2). Nearly 30 of the WUSA All-Stars should be playing for their respective national teams in the World Cup in September and October.

Thursday's All-Star Game will include U.S. national team standouts such as Mia Hamm (Washington Freedom), Brandi Chastain (San Jose CyberRays), Kristine Lilly (Boston Breakers), Briana Scurry (Atlanta Beat), Tiffeny Milbrett (New York Power) and Julie Foudy (San Diego Spirit). In addition to these established American players, international stars such as Germany's Birgit Prinz (Carolina Courage), France's Marinette Pichon (Philadelphia Charge), Brazil's Pretihna (San Jose CyberRays) and Canada's Charmaine Hooper (Atlanta Beat) are sure to thrill fans with their incredible talents.

Similar to many All-Star Games in professional sports, Thursday's match could see a great deal of offense as both teams feature many dangerous attacking players. The top 11 scorers in the WUSA are among the 32 players competing the All-Star Game. Hamm (two-time FIFA World Player of the Year), Milbrett (WUSA all-time leading goal scorer) and Pichon (2002 WUSA Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year) join rising stars such as Maribel Dominguez (WUSA's leading rookie scorer) and Julie Fleeting (Scottish national team star of the San Diego Spirit) to provide nightmares for opposing defenders.

Despite a plethora of explosive talent on offense, the WUSA's best defenders and goalkeepers hope to change the perception of All-Star Games being offensive displays. The American Stars team features the WUSA's all-time leader in shutouts, Briana Scurry of the Atlanta Beat. In addition, the defense is led by the backbone to the San Diego Spirit's defense Joy Fawcett, who has made 214 appearances with the U.S. national team. The World Stars squad also features some of the top defensive talent in the WUSA, including Atlanta's Sharolta Nonen and Boston's Karina Leblanc, the league leader in saves in 2003.

Fans, WUSA coaches and general managers, and a media panel selected the All-Star starting lineups. Five additional reserve players were added by the two All-Star head coaches in conjunction with WUSA Commissioner Tony DiCicco. The "Commissioner's Pick" for the 2003 Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game is Carolina forward Danielle Fotopoulos, the WUSA's all-time leading scorer.

Key All-Star Matchup

(American Stars forward Birgit Prinz versus World Stars defender Joy Fawcett) - German national team star and Carolina Courage forward Prinz will be making her WUSA All-Star Game debut in front of her home crowd at SAS Stadium (Prinz was unavailable to play in the 2002 All-Star Game due to national team commitments).

San Diego's Fawcett, a member of the U.S. national team since 1987, is making her second appearance as an All-Star starter. Although she did not score against Atlanta on Sunday, Prinz has been on a tear recently, finding the back of the net while lifting her club back into the race for a WUSA playoff berth. Fawcett has helped lead San Diego to its best start ever while holding opposing offenses in check. These two have faced each other both in the WUSA and on the international level. During her WUSA career, a Fawcett-led defense has held Prinz to just one goal (the fewest versus any team). On the international stage, Prinz and Fawcett have met 11 times, including a 3-2 victory for the United States over Germany in the 1999 Women's World Cup finals. Fawcett scored the game-winner in the 65th minute. Prinz was held scoreless.

The 2003 Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game Captains
The American Stars - M Kristine Lilly (Boston)
The World Stars - M Maren Meinert (Boston)

Hyundai WUSA All-Star Referees

Referee - Sandra Hunt (Bellingham, WA) (Hunt was the WUSA's 2001 Referee of the Year) Assistant Referees - Karalee Sutton (West Newton, PA); Sandra Serafini (Bahama, NC) Reserve Referee (4th Official) - Daniel Burak (Raleigh, NC)

The Particulars

The 2003 Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game is like no other. Below is a listing of some interesting aspects of this year's All-Star Game in Cary, N.C.

1) Game is 80 minutes long/ 40 minute halves. There will be no overtime and penalty kicks will not be used to settle ties.

2) The American Stars will be considered the Home team.

3) Subs will be the same as regular season (4 + 1) but teams will be allowed to have players re-enter after they have been first substituted but only due to injury to a teammate.

4) There will be one 2:30 TV timeout (from whistle to whistle) at the first ball out of play (corner, goal kick or throw in etc.) at or nearest to the 20:00 elapsed mark of each half. Players will be allowed to return to benches for hydration and instruction. Teams will be allowed to make substitutions out of each TV timeout if they desire, in fact, they are encouraged to do so at this break, if desired. 5) San Diego's Julie Foudy will wear a wireless microphone for the ESPN2 Broadcast. 6) Carolina's Danielle Slaton will be the sideline reporter for the ESPN2 Broadcast.

THE HYUNDAI HALFTIME KICK: 2002 Hyundai All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Abby Wambach will have the opportunity to win $50,000 during halftime of the 2003 Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game. With the goal covered by a canvas with one hole, Wambach will get one chance to kick a ball through the hole, from the penalty spot. Should the 2002 WUSA Rookie of the Year get the soccer ball through the hole, she will split $50,000 with the Children's National Medical Center in Washington D.C.

ALL-TIME LEADING SCORERS IN INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S SOCCER: With the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup coming to the United States, many WUSA players will have the chance to showcase their skills on the international stage. Of course, many WUSA players already have proven that they are the best in the world. In fact, the four active members of the world's top nine all-time leading scorers will be playing in the Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game on Thursday, June 19.

All-time Goal Scorers in the History of Women's International Soccer Rank Player Goals Country WUSA team 1 Mia Hamm 140 USA Washington Freedom
2 Elisabetta Vignotto 107 Italy Retired
3 Carolina Morace 105 Italy Retired
Michelle Akers 105 USA Retired
5 Tiffeny Milbrett 97 USA New York Power
6 Kristine Lilly 91 USA Boston Breakers
7 Heidi Mohr 83 Germany Retired
8 Lena Videkull 71 Sweden Retired
8 Pia Sundhage 71 Sweden Retired - head coach, Boston Breakers
9 Julie Fleeting 68 Scotland San Diego Spirit

as of June 16, 2003 (list courtesy of U.S. Soccer's Aaron Heifetz) -MORE-

CAROLINA ON MY MIND ... TAR HEELS PRODUCE THE MOST WUSA PLAYERS: Nothing could be finer than to be from North Carolina ... at least the women's soccer program.

A total of 19 players from the University of North Carolina women's soccer program compete in the WUSA, more than any other college. WUSA American stars such as Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Cindy Parlow, Tiffany Roberts and others all were Tar Heels. Also, North Carolina women's Head Coach Anson Dorrance knows the WUSA, as he serves as the league's color analyst on ESPN and PAX nationally televised matches, including Thursday's All-Star Game. Brandi Chastain's alma mater, Santa Clara, is second with 12 players. Which college is in third? Is it Tiffeny Milbrett's University of Portland Pilots or maybe it's the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the alma mater of Kate Sobrero and LaKeysia Beene? Actually, Portland, Notre Dame and UConn are tied for third at 8 players each. A top 10 breakdown for the entire 160-player WUSA follows.

1) UNC 19 players
2) Santa Clara 12 players
3) Notre Dame 8 players
Connecticut 8 players
Portland 8 players
6) Stanford 6 players
7) Florida 5 players
Nebraska 5 players
9) Cal 4 players
UCLA 4 players

University of North Carolina players in the WUSA Atlanta: Leslie Gaston, Cindy Parlow Boston: Tracy Ducar, Jena Kluegel, Kristine Lilly, Rebekah McDowell Carolina: Danielle Borgman, Nel Fettig, Carla Overbeck, Tiffany Roberts Philadelphia: Lorrie Fair San Diego: Jenni Branam, Susan Bush San Jose: Keri Sanchez, Tisha Venturini-Hoch Washington: Meredith Beard, Mia Hamm, Siri Mullinix, Lindsay Stoecker

GEARING UP FOR THEIR FOURTH WORLD CUP: They were just kids when the United States won their first Women's World Cup Championship in 1991. Mia Hamm was 19, Julie Foudy and Kristine Lilly were 20, and Joy Fawcett was the old lady of the group at 23. Now, these four members of the WUSA American Stars team hope to bring home the championship at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup. They are the only Americans who will have played in four World Cups when they compete in the quadrennial tournament this fall. On the international front, World Stars Sissi and Pretinha expect to compete in their fourth Women's World Cup when they compete for Brazil in the fall.

CAROLINA COURAGE MAKING THINGS HAPPEN: After a rocky beginning to the 2003 season in which the Carolina Courage lost five of its first six matches, Danielle Fotopoulos and company are unbeaten in their last four games, going 2-0-2. Since losing Norwegian playmaker Hege Riise in the club's second game to an ACL injury, Head Coach Jay Entlich has worked with the club to learn to play a different system that relies more on flank play than a central midfielder.

MILBRETT TO BE ON ESPN.COM CHAT THIS WEEK: New York forward Tiffeny Milbrett will be the featured guest on this week's ESPN.com live web chat on Monday, June 16. The chat will begin at 5:00 p.m. (ET)/2:00 p.m. (PT) and will last approximately 30 minutes. Milbrett will be on hand to answer fan questions and promote the upcoming 2003 Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game in Cary, NC. Fans can submit questions before and during the chat. For more information, log on to www.ESPN.com.

DON'T MISS THE 2003 HYUNDAI WUSA POSTGAME AUDIO SHOW: Fans can log onto www.WUSA.com listen to the 2003 Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game Postgame Show following the All-Star Game on Thursday, June 19. Hosted by Beth Mowins, the postgame show will last approximately 30 minutes and will feature interviews with WUSA players, coaches and executives.

WUSA Game Previews (Week Twelve)

Saturday, June 21, 2003 - New York Power at San Diego Spirit - 4:00 p.m. (ET) - PAX TV (National Broadcast); (Season Series: San Diego leads 0-1-0) (All-time Series History: San Diego leads 3-2-2)

New York earned four points at Mitchel Athletic Complex last week after tying Philadelphia 0-0 on Wednesday, June 11 and defeating San Jose 3-1 on Saturday, June 14. San Diego dropped its second straight match with a 2-0 loss to Philadelphia at Villanova Stadium on Saturday, June 14. The last meeting between these teams resulted a 2-0 victory for San Diego on April 19, 2003 at Mitchel Athletic Complex. Forwards Shannon MacMillan and Julie Fleeting each found the back of the net to lead The Spirit to its first win of the 2003 season.

Key Players to Watch: New York Christie Welsh (6g, 12 pts. - 9th among WUSA scoring leaders) recorded her second career multiple-goal game with a two-goal performance versus San Jose on Saturday, June 14. Welsh will be looking for her first goal versus the Spirit. Forward Tiffeny Milbrett (3g, 2a, 8 pts.) will return to the Power lineup after being called up to U.S. national team duty on June 14. Milbrett (29 career WUSA goals) has scored her last 16 goals on the road. Goalkeeper Saskia Webber (2-0-1, 0.33 GAA) has registered two shutouts in her last three starts. Webber holds a 1-2-0 record with a 2.67 goals against average all-time versus San Diego (three matches). San Diego's Julie Fleeting (4g, 1a, 9 pts. ) leads the Spirit in scoring. Fleeting has tallied two goals all time versus New York (two matches). Midfielder Julie Foudy (3g, 1a, 7 pts.) will rejoin her Spirit teammates after U.S. national team duty on June 14. Foudy's three goals this season have all been scored on penalty kicks. Midfielder Aly Wagner (1g, 1a, 3 pts.) will also be returning to San Diego's lineup after U.S. national team duty on June 14. The first-overall pick in the 2003 WUSA Draft recorded her first WUSA point versus the Power on April 19.

Key Matchup: (New York forward Tiffeny Milbrett versus San Diego defender Joy Fawcett) Two of the most dominant players at their position will go head-to-head. Fawcett along with her defensive teammates, will try to keep the high scoring Milbrett off the scoreboard. Milbrett has yet to register a point against the Spirit. In five matches against the Spirit, Milbrett has only collected two assists.

The "Inside Scoop": New York is unbeaten in its last three matches while San Diego is winless in its last three. The Spirit has won three of the last four meetings with the Power. The series between these two teams is tied at Torero Stadium (1-1-1) with both teams finding the back of the net twice. This match will mark the return of New York's Shannon Boxx, Carly Smolak and Margaret Tietjen (Traded to the Power during the offseason) to San Diego.

They Said it: "It should be an interesting game, especially with regards to the trade the two teams made last year. San Diego has a very good attacking offense and looks good on paper." - New York Power Head Coach Tom Sermanni on San Diego.

Referee: Jesse Johnson. Assistant Referees: Chris Strickland, Emiliano Monje. 4th Official: Bryan Elliott.

Saturday, June 21, 2003 - Carolina Courage at Boston Breakers - 7:00 p.m. (ET) - CN8 (Boston); (Season Series: Boston leads 1-0-0) (All-time Series History: Boston leads 3-2-2)

Carolina collected four points last week at SAS Stadium with a 3-1 victory over Washington on Wednesday, June 11 and a 0-0 tie with Atlanta on Saturday, June 14. Boston remains in first place in the WUSA standings despite not playing a league match last week (Bye Week). The last meeting between these two teams resulted in 3-1 win for the Breakers on April 19 at SAS Stadium. Three different Boston players scored to give the Breakers their first-ever victory at SAS Stadium.

Key Players to Watch: Carolina's Danielle Fotopoulos (7g, 6a, 20 pts. - tied for 1st among WUSA scoring leaders) recorded both her seventh goal and sixth assist of the season on June 11. The league's all-time leading scorer (76 points) has registered three goals and two assists for eight points all-time versus Boston (seven matches). Forward Birgit Prinz (7g, 2a, 16 pts. - 5th among WUSA scoring leaders) recorded her first multiple-goal match of the 2003 season with two goals versus Washington on June 11. In three previous meetings with Boston, Prinz has tallied two goals and an assist for five points. Goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill (3-2-2, 1.43 GAA) notched two shutouts last week. The 2002 WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year holds a 2-1-2 record with a 1.40 goals against average versus Boston all-time (five matches). Boston Maren Meinert (8g, 4a, 20 pts. - tied for 1st among WUSA scoring leaders) leads the WUSA with eight goals this season. Meinert has recorded four goals and four assists for 12 points all-time versus Carolina (seven matches). Forward Dagny Mellgren (6g, 2a, 14 pts. - tied for 7th among WUSA scoring leaders) has registered a point in seven straight matches. Mellgren has scored four goals versus the Courage all-time (six matches). Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc (3-2-1, 1.80 GAA) led the Canadian national team to a victory over Mexico on June 12 (4-0). LeBlanc is 1-0-2 versus Carolina all-time (three matches) with a 1.33 goals against average.

Key Matchup: (Carolina forward Danielle Fotopoulos versus Boston defender Kate Sobrero) Fotopoulos, the league's all-time leading scorer (76 points), has had more success versus the Breakers than any other Courage player (3g, 2a, 8 pts.). Sobrero anchors a defense that has held Carolina to nine goals in seven matches all-time. Boston held Carolina to just one goal in their last meeting (April 19, 2003). Fotopoulos' last goal versus the Breakers came on June 8, 2002.

The "Inside Scoop": This match will feature the top two scorers in the WUSA (Fotopoulos and Meinert - both with 20 points). The series is tied 1-1-1 at Nickerson Field with both teams tallying five goals in those three matches. Carolina is unbeaten in its last three road games (2-0-1). Boston has won its last two matches to move into first place in the WUSA standings. Carolina is unbeaten in its last four matches (2-0-2) .

Referee: Misail Tsapos. Assistant Referees: Steven Taylor, Bahij Salman. 4th Official: Niko Bratsis.

Sunday, June 22, 2003 - San Jose CyberRays at Washington Freedom - 4:00 p.m. (ET) - No TV; (Season Series: Washington leads 1-0-0) (All-time Series History: Washington leads 4-3-0).

San Jose dropped its third straight match with a 3-1 loss to New York on Saturday, June 14 at Mitchel Athletic Complex. Washington was held scoreless for the first time during the 2003 season, losing to Carolina 3-0 on Wednesday, June 11 at SAS Stadium. The last meeting between these two teams resulted in a 2-0 victory for the Freedom on April 19, 2003 at Spartan Stadium. Mia Hamm and Lori Lindsey each scored to give Washington its second straight victory over the CyberRays.

Key Players to Watch: San Jose's Pretinha (3g, 2a, 8 pts.) leads the CyberRays in scoring during the 2003 season. The Brazilian forward has one assist all-time versus Washington (four matches). Defender Brandi Chastain (1g, 2a, 4 pts.) will return to San Jose's lineup after U.S. national team duty on June 14. Chastain has recorded three assists all-time versus Washington (six matches). Goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene (4-5-0, 1.00 GAA) will be looking to make her 50th career start on June 21. Beene holds a 3-3-0 record with a 1.24 goals against average versus Washington all-time (six matches). Washington's Hamm (6g, 5a, 17 pts. - 4th among WUSA scoring leaders) was held scoreless for only the second time in 2003 following the 3-0 loss at Carolina on June 11. Hamm has scored three goals all-time versus San Jose (four matches). Forward Abby Wambach (4g, 3a, 11 pts. - 10th among WUSA scoring leaders) will return to the Washington lineup after serving a one-game red card suspension. Wambach has notched two assists all-time versus San Jose (three matches). Goalkeeper Siri Mullinix (5-2-1, 1.25 GAA) dropped her second straight match with a 3-0 loss to Carolina on June 11. Mullinix holds a 3-2-0 record with a 1.00 goals against average all-time versus San Jose (five matches).

Key Matchup: (San Jose defender Thori Bryan versus Washington forward Abby Wambach) A week after they were teammates in the USA-Ireland friendly, Wambach and Bryan will square off in WUSA action. Wambach is coming off a one-game red card suspension and will be looking for her first career goal versus the CyberRays. Bryan and the San Jose defense is ranked second in the WUSA in team defense (1.20 goals per game allowed). Wambach and the Washington Freedom have the top rated offense scoring 2.11 goals per game.

The "Inside Scoop": Both teams will be looking to end losing streaks (three-game losing streak - San Jose; two-game losing streak - Washington). The Freedom has won three of the last for meeting with the CyberRays. Former Washington forward and current San Jose striker, Pretinha scored the first goal in WUSA history on a penalty kick versus the CyberRays on April 14, 2001. San Jose will be without Katia due to yellow card accumulation. Washington's Emmy Barr will face her younger sister Betsy (San Jose's first pick in the 2003 WUSA Draft).

They Said it: "We've got our hands full. We're coming off a bunch of losses. The players have been training hard in practice, but that's not translating in games. We've got to get some goals." - San Jose CyberRays Head Coach Ian Sawyers on Sunday's match versus Washington.

Referee: Jennifer Bennett. Assistant Referees: Stanford Nagle, Kelly Lee. 4th Official: Ken Kaplan.

Sunday, June 22, 2003 - Philadelphia Charge at Atlanta Beat - 4:00 p.m. (ET) - CN8 (Philadelphia); Comcast Sports Southeast (Atlanta); (Season Series: First Meeting) (All-time Series History: Series tied 2-2-2).

Philadelphia earned four points last week tying New York 0-0 on Wednesday, June 11 at Mitchel Athletic Complex and defeating San Diego 2-0 on Saturday, June 14 at Villanova Stadium. Atlanta earned a point after tying Carolina 0-0 on Saturday, June 14 at SAS Stadium. The last meeting between these two teams resulted in a 2-0 victory for Atlanta on August 10, 2002 at Herndon Stadium. Goals by Nikki Serlenga and Kelly Cagle led to Atlanta's 11th win of the season and clinched a berth in the 2002 WUSA Playoffs.

Key Players to Watch: Philadelphia's Marinette Pichon (7g, 1a, 15 pts - 5th among WUSA scoring leaders) notched her seventh goal of the season during the Charge's 2-0 victory over San Diego on June 14. Pichon has scored two goals all-time versus Atlanta (three matches). Midfielder Stacey Tullock (1g, 4a, 6 pts.) leads the Charge in assists during the 2003 season. Tullock will be looking to record her first point versus the Beat. Goalkeeper Melissa Moore (2-4-2, 2.00 GAA) registered two shutouts last week (June 11 0-0 tie with New York; June 14 - 2-0 win over San Diego). Moore holds a 2-1-0 record with a 0.77 goals against average versus Atlanta all-time (four matches). Atlanta's Maribel Dominguez (7g, 4a, 18 pts. - 3rd among WUSA scoring leaders) only saw 45 minutes of action on June 14 (resting from a midweek national team friendly versus Canada). Dominguez will look to earn her first goal versus the Charge. Forward Charmaine Hooper (4g, 6a, 14 pts. - tied for 7th among WUSA leading scorers) recorded five shots versus Carolina on June 15 but, was unable to find the back of the net. Hooper has had very little success versus the Charge during her WUSA career, recording only one assist all-time versus Philadelphia (six matches). Goalkeeper Briana Scurry (4-2-3, 0.78 GAA) will return to Atlanta's lineup after U.S. national team duty on June 14. Scurry holds a 2-2-2 record with a 1.00 goals against average versus the Charge all-time (six matches).

Key Matchup: (Philadelphia forward Marinette Pichon versus Atlanta defender Sharolta Nonen) Pichon has scored four goals in Philadelphia's last three matches. Nonen and company is the top raked defense in the WUSA, holding opponents to 0.70 goals per game allowed. Atlanta has held Pichon scoreless in two of the three previous meetings. Philadelphia is 11-1-2 all-time when Pichon finds the back of the net.

The "Inside Scoop": After starting the 2003 season 0-4-0, the Charge has pulled within six points of first place Boston. Atlanta is currently tied for second in the WUSA standings. Philadelphia is unbeaten in its last four matches. The Charge has won two of the last three matches versus Atlanta. The series is tied 1-1-1 in Atlanta with both teams recording two goals in the three matches. The Beat has held its opponents to one goal or less in nine of the team's 10 games this season.

Referee: Todd Perry. Assistant Referees: Corey Rockwell, Brian D'Amato. 4th Official: Patrick Baker.

TEAM INJURY REPORTS AS OF 06/16/03

ATLANTA BEAT: None. BOSTON BREAKERS: OUT -GK Tracy Ducar (tendonitis in both knees); M Devvyn Hawkins (L foot stress fracture).
CAROLINA COURAGE: OUT - M Hege Riise (R ACL tear); PROBABLE - D Danielle Slaton (R knee effusion).
NEW YORK POWER: OUT - D Sara Whalen (R ACL tear); D Kristy Whelchel (R ACL tear); QUESTIONABLE - M Krista Davey (R ankle sprain).
PHILADELPHIA CHARGE: OUT - F Kelly Smith (R meniscus tear); F Deliah Arrington (R ACL tear); QUESTIONABLE - F Marinette Pichon (L thigh contusion); PROBABLE - M Pavlina Scasna (L foot tendonitis); M Erin Misaki (R groin strain).
SAN DIEGO SPIRIT: OUT - F Shannon MacMillan (R ACL tear).
SAN JOSE CYBERRAYS: OUT - M Sissi (bruised and separated ribs); D Kelly Lindsey (R knee sprain); QUESTIONABLE - F -Pretinha (groin strain); M Betsy Barr (L adductor strain); D Dianne Alagich (L knee sprain)
WASHINGTON FREEDOM: None.

NATIONAL TEAM DUTY AS OF 06/16/03

ATLANTA BEAT: M Homare Sawa (Japan);
BOSTON BREAKERS: None.
CAROLINA COURAGE: None.
NEW YORK POWER: None.
PHILADELPHIA CHARGE: None.
SAN DIEGO SPIRIT: None.
SAN JOSE CYBERRAYS: None.
WASHINGTON FREEDOM: None.

suspension Summary 06/16/03

Player Team Suspension Reason

Angela Hucles Boston Breakers 6/21 vs. Carolina Red Card (6/8 at Washington)

Katia San Jose CyberRays 6/22 at Washington Yellow card accumulation (non-consecutive)

Warning Summary 06/16/03

Player Team Reason None

TEAM-BY-TEAM NOTES

atlanta beat: The Atlanta Beat battled the Carolina Courage to a 0-0 draw on Saturday, June 14 at SAS Stadium... Backup goalkeeper Melanie Wilson recorded seven saves en route to her first career WUSA shutout... With the tie, the Beat extended its unbeaten streak to four games.... Atlanta is in a three-way tie for second place in the WUSA standings (with Washington and New York)... Midfielder Homare Sawa (Japanese national team duty) recorded six goals in group play of the Asian Women's Championships... Forward Cindy Parlow and goalkeeper Briana Scurry suited up for the U.S. national team on June 14... Both Parlow and Scurry played the first 45 minutes of the 5-1 victory over Ireland... Forward Maribel Dominguez square off against teammates Charmaine Hooper and Sharolta Nonen on Thursday, June 12 as Canada defeated Mexico 4-0... Atlanta ranks second in team offense (1.90 goals per game) and first in team defense (0.70 goals per game).

boston breakers: Despite not playing a WUSA match last week (Bye week), Boston remains in first place in the WUSA standings... Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc (Canada) earned her 10th international career shutout with a 4-0 blanking of Mexico on Thursday, June 12... Midfiedlers Kristine Lilly, Angela Hucles and defender Kate Sobrero saw action during the United States' 4-0 victory over Ireland on Saturday, June 14... Maren Meinert is tied (with Carolina's Danielle Fotopoulos) for the league lead in scoring during the 2003 season (20 pts.)... Meinert is also the league's top goal scorer with eight goals... LeBlanc leads the WUSA in saves with 42... Boston is tied for third in team offesne (1.70 goals per game) and is tied for 5th in team defesne (1.80 goals per game).

carolina courage: Carolina earned four points at SAS Stadium this past week after defeating the Washington Freedom 3-0 on Wednesday, June 11 and tying the Atlanta Beat 0-0 on Saturday, June 14... Forward Birgit Prinz notched two goals in Carolina's win over Washington... The German striker recorded her third career mulitple-goal game... Danielle Fotopoulos tallied a goal and an assist versus the Freedom on June 11... The league's all-time leading scorer (76 pts.) is tied (with Boston's Maren Meinert) for the league lead in scoring during the 2003 season... Goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill registered two shutouts during the week... The 5-foot-9 goalkeeper held the two highest scoring offenses in the WUSA this season to zero goals... Carolina is tied for third in team offense (1.70 goals per game) and tied for fifth in team defense (1.80 goals per game).

new york power: The New York Power earned four points at Mitchel Athletic Complex this past week, tying the Philadelphia Charge 0-0 on Wednesday, June 11 and defeating the San Jose CyberRays 3-1 on Saturday, June 14... Goalkeeper Saskia Webber recorded her second consecutive shutout, registering six saves versus the Charge on June 11... Rookie forward Christie Welsh tallied her second multiple-goal game of the season after scoring two goals versus the CyberRays on June 14... Welsh leads the Power in scoring this season with six goal for 12 points... Forward Tiffeny Milbrett and defender Christie Welsh will return to the Power lineup after U.S. national team duty on June 14... New York ranks fifth in team offense (1.64 goals per game) and eighth in team defense (2.18 goals per game).

philadelphia charge: The Philadelphia Charge earned four points this past week, tying the New York Power 0-0 on Wednesday, June 11 at Mitchel Athletic Complex and defeating the San Diego Spirit 2-0 on Saturday, June 14 at Villanova Stadium... Goalkeeper Melissa Moore registered two straight shutouts on the week... Moore has logged 249 consecutive scoreless minutes... Forward Marinette Pichon recorded her seventh goal of the 2003 season on Saturday, June 14... Pichon ranks sixth among the WUSA scoring leaders with 15 points... Midfielder Lorrie Fair played 90 minutes for the U.S. national team on June 14... The win on June 14 was the first home victory of the 2003 season... The Charge ranks sixth in team offense (1.40 goals per game) and seventh in team defense (1.90 goals per game).

san diego spirit: San Diego dropped its second straight match with a 2-0 loss to Philadelphia at Villanova Stadium on Saturday, June 14... Despite the back-to-back losses, the Spirit is off to its best start in team history... San Diego has allowed its opponents to score first in seven games this season (10 games so far).... With the loss to the Charge, San Diego's record at Villanova Stadium dropped to 0-3-1 all-time... Midfielders Julie Foudy, Aly Wagner and defender Joy Fawcett will return to the Spirit lineup after U.S. national team duty on June 14... Foudy recorded a goal and an assist as the U.S. defeated Ireland 5-0... San Diego ranks seventh in team offense (1.20 goals per game) and is tied for second in team defense (1.20 goals per game).

san jose cyberrays: San Jose lost its third consecutive match with a 3-1 loss to New York on Saturday, June 14 at Mitchel Athletic Complex... Rookie Katie Antongiovanni recorded her first career WUSA goal versus the Power on June 14... Anotgiovanni became the youngest player in CyberRays' history to score a goal (21 years, 208 days)... Antongiovanni's goal in the 84th minute on Saturday, June 14, snapped a streak of 293 scoreless minutes... San Jose's three-game losing skid is the longest in team history... The CyberRays will be without Katia on June 22 due to yellow card accumulation... San Jose ranks eighth in team offesne (0.90 goals per game) and is tied for second in team defense (1.20 goals per game).

washington freedom: Washington lost its second staright match with a 3-0 loss to the Carolina Courage on Wednesday, June 11 at SAS Stadium... For the first time in 2003 the Freedom was held scoreless... Washington was without the services of Abby Wambach due to a red card suspension... The Freedom was limited to just one shot on goal during that match... Despite dropping two straight, Washington is tied for second in the WUSA standings... Forwards Mia Hamm and Wambach helped lead the United States past Ireland 5-0 on Saturday, Jue 14... Wambach tallied two scores for the U.S. while Hamm netted her 140th career international goal... The Freedom ranks first in team offesne (2.11 goals per game) and fourth in team defense (1.67 goals per game).

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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from June 16, 2003


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