Beat Falls 1-0 to Spirit; Needs One Point to Clinch Playoff Berth

August 7, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Atlanta Beat News Release


ATLANTA (August 7, 2002) - The Atlanta Beat dropped its second game in a row, a 1-0 decision to the San Diego Spirit. The Beat has its back up against the wall heading into the final regular season game on Saturday. With a record of 10-9-1 and 31 points, the Beat sits in fourth position only two points ahead of the San Jose CyberRays, who tied their match on Wednesday night versus the Philadelphia Charge and still sit in the fifth position in the WUSA, two points behind the Beat. With a win or a tie on Saturday, Atlanta would clinch the final playoff spot.

Julie Foudy scored her 5th goal of the season, only seconds into the second half to give the Spirit the victory. The scoring play began when defender Kim Pickup sent a long throw in to the back post where Shannon MacMillan stood. MacMillan headed the ball across the goal and Foudy raced in and finished it.

The game began with both teams mounting little offensive pressure, although Atlanta had the most dangerous chances. In the 5th minute Sun Wen ripped a shot from six yards out, which was saved by Spirit goalkeeper Carly Smolak. Smolak finished the game with four saves on the night.

In the 21st minute Atlanta had its best scoring opportunity when Sun Wen dribbled towards the top of the penalty area and struck a shot that hit the crossbar and bounced out to Charmaine Hooper only six yards out. Hooper took a first time shot from close range that was smothered by Smolak.

The Beat and Spirit traded harmless chances in the closing minutes of the second half, but neither team could find the back of the net. The Beat recorded nine shots in the first half, with four on goal and the Spirit notched five shots with four on goal.

Atlanta began the second half, looking to put their mark on the game, but it was San Diego that struck first. Foudy's goal stunned the Beat and sent Atlanta to the bench looking for the deciding factor. Knowing that the San Jose CyberRays had a 1-0 lead in Philadelphia, the Beat would need a win to clinch a playoff spot if the result stood.

The Beat sent on Emily Burt in the 56th minute looking for fresh legs and the combination of she and Hooper up front. With Burt in the game, the combination play up front began to click and Homare Sawa nearly tied the score in the 58th minute. Sawa received a pass in the penalty area and lobbed a shot over Smolak that struck the crossbar and bounced over the goal. It would be the last dangerous scoring opportunity the Beat would have.

In the closing minutes the Beat sent Liping Wang in the game for Nikki Serlenga and although Liping Wang managed to get some good crosses in, the Beat was not able to put the ball in the back of the net and Foudy's goal in the 46th minute stood up as the game winner.

The Beat won the season series over the Spirit 2-1-0 and now has a 3-2-1 all-time record versus San Diego. The Beat's record moved to 10-9-1 and 31 points on the season, while the Spirit's record moved to 5-11-4 with 19 points. San Diego closes its season on Sunday, August 11 at home versus the Carolina Courage, while the Beat closes the season with its most important game versus the Philadelphia Charge on Saturday, August 10 at 4 p.m. on the PAX-TV game of the week. The Beat opened the season at home on April 13 versus the Charge in a 2-0 loss.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 7, 2002


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