Big Events This Sunday at Torero Stadium

April 22, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


More than an exciting soccer game will be taking place this Sunday at Torero Stadium when the Spirit meet their northern California rivals, the San Jose CyberRays. As always the Fun Zone opens 90 minutes prior to kickoff in the Jenny Craig Pavilion Plaza. The Spirit and some special friends will be celebrating mascot San D. Panda's birthday throughout the day, culminating with a 6 v. 6 halftime mascot game. Fans that purchase four tickets to the game will receive a free San D. Panda bobblehead. Prior to entering the stadium gates, fans can help the Spirit with Recycling Day by donating their recycled goods in bins outside the stadium. To honor America's military, the Navy Parachute LEAP FROGS will enter the stadium during the national anthem. Kickoff is at 5 p.m.

QUICK GLANCE AT THE SPIRIT

NEXT MATCH: Sunday, April 27, 5 p.m. PT, vs. San Jose CyberRays, Torero Stadium, Live on Channel 4 SD
LAST MATCH: Saturday, April 19, 2-0 win over New York, Mitchel Athletic Complex, Uniondale, NY
RECORD: 1-1-0, 3 pts.
LEADING SCORER: Shannon MacMillan, 1 goal and 1 assist, 3 points
INJURIES: Sauer, Ankle Sprain, Out; Jen Nielsen, Broken Toe, Out; Fawcett, Ankle surgery, probable

NEXT ON THE SLATE: San Jose CYBERRAYS, Sunday, April 27, 5 p.m. PT, Torero Stadium

San Jose leads the series (2-1-3). The CyberRays have never lost a match at Torero Stadium. San Diego midfielder Julie Foudy will face her husband (San Jose Head Coach Ian Sawyers) for the seventh time in her WUSA career. Seven members of the U.S. Women's national team were called up for the match versus Nigeria (April 26) but are expected to be on hand for Sunday's San Jose-San Diego game - LaKeysia Beene (San Jose); Thori Bryan (San Jose); Brandi Chastain (San Jose); Joy Fawcett (San Diego); Julie Foudy (San Diego); Shannon MacMillan (San Diego); Aly Wagner (San Diego). Three Brazilians will not be on hand for this weekend's match due to World Cup Qualifying - Katia (San Jose); Pretinha (San Jose); Daniela (San Diego).

SHANNON MacMILLAN NAMED MET-Rx PLAYER OF THE WEEK

San Diego Spirit forward Shannon MacMillan was selected as the league's MET-Rx Player of the Week for the week ending April 20, 2003. The Spirit's all-time leading scorer and U.S. national team forward scored a goal and had an assist as the Spirit defeated New York. 2-0, at Mitchel Athletic Complex on April 19.

DANIELA BECOMES YOUNGEST TO PLAY IN A WUSA MATCH:

San Diego's Brazilian midfielder Daniela made history on April 19 when she became the youngest player to ever compete in a WUSA match. At just 19 years, 97 days, Daniela was the first teenager to compete in a WUSA match. Philadelphia's Pavlina Scasna previously held the youth record at 21 years, 2 days when she played in a 1-0 loss at San Jose on April 5. Daniela broke Scasna's mark on Saturday. Born January 12, 1984, Daniela continues the Spirit's youth movement. Earlier this season, San Diego's Christine Latham became the youngest player to ever score in a WUSA match when she found the back of the net in a 2-1 loss to Boston on April 5. Latham was 21 years, 202 days when she scored her goal.

"IN THE SPIRIT WITH JULIE FOUDY" DEBUTS SUNDAY BEFORE SPIRIT GAME ON CHANNEL 4 SAN DIEGO

Channel 4 San Diego's popular "In the Spirit with Julie Foudy" show debuts this Sunday at 4:30 p.m., prior to the Spirit/CyberRays game at 5 p.m. The show features segments on Julie Fleeting, a "Cribs-styled" look at life with roommates Jaime Pagliarulo and Kim Pickup, Aly Wagner's hidden talents, April game highlights, and a lot of fun. The show will air at various times throughout the month of May.

MEDIA PARKING AT TORERO STADIUM FOR MAY 18 GAME

The USDHS parking lot normally used for media parking will not be available for the Spirit's game on May 18. Unless notified, the Communications Department has a limited number of passes for the parking structure adjacent to the stadium and can provide them to media outlets on a first-come, first-serve basis, Please contact us to make arrangements for picking up your parking pass at the Spirit's April 27 game against San Jose.

TV NEWS LIVE SHOTS AVAILABLE AT SPIRIT HOME GAMES

Television stations wishing to do live shots from Torero Stadium can do so from atop the parking structure adjacent to the stadium. The location offers a spectacular view of the stadium and is safe from all overhead power lines. Please contact the Communications Department to make arrangements for live shots at Spirit games.

SPIRIT SNAPSHOTS

San Diego defeated the New York Power 2-0 on April 19 to move to .500 for the eighth time in team history... Midfielder Aly Wagner tallied her first career WUSA point on Saturday with an assist on MacMillan's goal... The Spirit recorded its first shutout since August 7, 2002 (1-0 victory at Atlanta)... Goalkeeper Jaime Pagliarulo earned her first shutout since May 19, 2002 (1-0 victory vs. Philadelphia)... Head Coach Omid Namazi notched his first career WUSA victory with Saturday's win... Julie Foudy tied Shannon Boxx for most career games played, 41, on Saturday...San Diego's all-time record when scoring first is now 11-1-4, leading at the 75th minute is 10-0-0...San Diego ranks fourth in team offense (1.50 goals per game) and third in team defense (1.00 goals per game).

SAN DIEGO SPIRIT WINGS PAGE TWO SAN DIEGO SPIRIT WINGS UPCOMING SCHEDULE

The Spirit goes on the road for its next two matches, playing at Boston on Saturday, May 3, in a game that will not be shown on television. The Spirit will travel to red-hot Atlanta for a Saturday, May 10, battle with the league-leading Beat. That game will be broadcast live on Channel 4 San Diego & Channel 3 Orange County at 4 p.m. PT. The Spirit will then return home for a May 18 contest against Boston that will finish the season series against the Breakers after only six games of the season. That match kicks off at 5 p.m. PT at Torero Stadium.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from April 22, 2003


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