Sports stats



Atlanta Beat to Face Mia Hamm & the Washington Freedom in Founders Cup III

August 18, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat News Release


ATLANTA (August 18, 2003) - The Atlanta Beat will face the Washington Freedom on Sunday, August 24, 2003, at 4 p.m. ET in Founders Cup III, the WUSA Championship game. The Beat advanced to the championship match with a 2-1 overtime victory over the San Diego Spirit on Sunday night.

The Beat is making the team's second trip, in three seasons, to the WUSA Championship game. Atlanta advanced in the first season and lost a penalty kick shootout to the Bay Area (San Jose) CyberRays. In 2002, the Beat lost in overtime of the WUSA semifinals to the eventual champions, the Carolina Courage. Sunday's match is being televised live on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. EDT.

Founders Cup III, WUSA Championship Atlanta Beat vs. Washington Freedom Preview Sunday, August 24, 4 p.m. EDT, - Torero Stadium TV: ESPN2 The Atlanta Beat and Washington Freedom will square off in Founders Cup III on Sunday, as each team advanced to the championship game with thrilling victories in the semifinals. The Beat defeated the San Diego Spirit in overtime of the second semifinal. All four of the Atlanta Beat's playoff games to date have ended in or beyond overtime. The Freedom defeated the Boston Breakers on Saturday in a penalty kick shootout, after playing to a 0-0 draw in regulation.

The Beat versus Freedom matchup pits the 2nd and 4th seeds, in Atlanta and Washington respectively, against each other. The Beat defeated the Freedom twice this season and tied the other matchup. Both wins over the Freedom came in Atlanta.

The Beat has defeated the Washington Freedom in all five matches played in Atlanta and is 6-2-1 all-time versus Washington. The match will be the first postseason meeting between these two squads. Last season, the Freedom defeated the Philadelphia Charge in the semifinals to advance to the championship game, where they were defeated by the Carolina Courage.

WUSA Awards to be Announced Throughout the Week

The season ending WUSA awards will be announced throughout the week leading up to Founders Cup III, and the Atlanta Beat has players nominated in four categories and Head Coach Tom Stone nominated for Coach of the Year.

Forward Maribel Dominguez is nominated for Rookie of the Year, defender Sharolta Nonen nominated for Defender of the Year, Briana Scurry nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year and Dominguez and Conny Pohlers with goals nominated for Goal of the Year.

On Tuesday, the WUSA will announce the awards for the Coach, Goalkeeper, Rookie, Humanitarian, Referee and Goal of the Year. Wednesday the WUSA will announce the Defender of the Year, All-WUSA First and Second teams, Team Community Service, Team Fair Play and Executive of the Year awards. The final piece of individual hardware, WUSA Most Valuable Player, will be announced on Wednesday.

• Discuss this story on the Women's United Soccer Association message board...

Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 18, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central