Carolina Courage Notebook
May 21, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Carolina Courage News Release
Courage To Battle Philadelphia For Top Spot: The unbeaten Carolina Courage will host first place Philadelphia on Saturday, May 25th at 7:00 pm at SAS Stadium in Cary, NC.
Birgit Prinz Arrives Saturday: German Player of the Year Birgit Prinz will arrive from Germany on Saturday. Prinz will play her final match for club team FFC Frankfurt on Thursday, May 23rd in the UEFA Women's Cup Final.
LAST WEEK'S RESULTS:
5/18: Atlanta 2, San Jose 1
Carolina 1, Washington 1
Boston 2, New York 1
5/19 Philadelphia 0, San Diego 1
THIS WEEK'S GAMES:
5/25: San Diego @ New York, 4 pm
Philadelphia @ Carolina, 7 pm Boston @ Atlanta, 7 pm
5/26: Washington @ San Jose, 10 pm
Week 6 in Review: Carolina Courage 1, Washington Freedom 1 @ RFK Stadium
Upcoming in Week 7: Philadelphia Charge @ Carolina Courage
Time: 7:00 pm Television: Triangle TV (Channel 24 locally)
Season Series: First meeting. All-Time Series: Charge leads 2-1-0.
Top scorers: CAR â Danielle Fotopoulos (3 g, 1 a = 7 pts); PHI â Kelly Smith (3 g, 2 a = 8 pts). Key Players Out: None
Quote of the week
"Philadelphia is imposing its will on the league right now. This is a match in which everyone has to bring her best game." ~ Courage head Coach Marcia McDermott
Carolina-Philadelphia Series Notes: Philadelphia holds a 2-1-0 all-time advantage against Carolina. The Charge has outscored the Courage 8-3 in the previous three meetings, but Philadelphia was held scoreless in their only previous visit to North Carolina. The last time these two clubs met was on August 5, 2001 at Villanova Stadium. The Charge defeated Carolina 5-1 in that match. Liu Ailing (three goals) and Mandy Clemens (two goals) led Philadelphia to its largest margin of victory. Both Liu and Clemens lead all Charge players with three goals versus the Courage. Hege Riise has recorded two goals against Philadelphia to lead all Carolina players.
What the Stats Say: The Charge is averaging over two goals per game, offensively. The Courage is allowing less than one goal per game, defensively. Something has to give!
Match-up To Watch: Slaton-Mitts and Burt-Benson. This game features the best wing back pairings in the WUSA. Both the Courage and Charge have rock-solid outside backs who can change the complexion of a game when they go forward.
Coach's Keys To Winning:
"Both teams are aggressive attacking the flanks. Kelly Smith and Marinette Pichon are both so dangerous. Both teams are going to get their chances. We are simply going to have to finish our opportunities."
Team Notes:
And Then There Was One: Following Philadelphia's 1-0 loss to San Diego, the Courage is the WUSA's lone undefeated team.
It's OUR Birthday: Courage goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill and defender Staci Burt share a birthday. Luckenbill will turn 23 and Burt will turn 24 on Tuesday, May 28th.
Luckenbill Lays Down The Law: Courage goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill boasts a league-leading 0.67 goals against average, having only conceded two goals in three WUSA matches. Luckenbill has registered the most saves (26) and has the highest save percentage (92.9%) in the WUSA.
Saturday My Prinz Will Come: German Player of the Year Birgit Prinz will join the Courage on Saturday. Prinz, whose German National Team claimed the 2001 European Championship last summer, may be arriving as a double European champion. Her club team, FFC Frankfurt will battle Umea of Sweden on May 23rd to crown the first-ever European women's club champion. If Frankfurt is successful, Prinz's club team would likely claim the coveted "treble" â A domestic league championship, a domestic cup championship, and the European club championship all in the same season.
Courage Injury Update
Probable: Baxter (concussion)
Questionable: None
Doubtful: None
Out: None
TRAINING SCHEDULE
Tuesday, May 21: 10:00 am â 11:30 am @ SAS Soccer Park
Wednesday, May 22: 10:00 am â 11:30 am @ SAS Soccer Park
Thursday, May 23: 10:00 am â 11:30 am @ SAS Soccer Park
Friday, May 24: 10:00 am â 11:00 am @ SAS Stadium
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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from May 21, 2002
- Carolina Courage Notebook - Carolina Courage
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