Charge Continue Home Field Dominance
July 1, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Philadelphia Charge News Release
The Charge continued their winning ways this past Saturday, downing WUSA-rival Atlanta 3-1 at Villanova Stadium. The win was important for Philadelphia (8-1-3), which remained tied for first place in the league standings with Carolina (8-2-3). However, the Charge hold the tiebreaker against the Courage, having beaten Carolina twice this season. Saturday's victory also gave the Charge the tiebreaker against the third-place Beat (6-5-1, 19 pts) as Philly also defeated Atlanta earlier this season as well.
Marinette Pichon remains the offensive catalyst for Philadelphia, posting a pair of goals in Saturday's win over Atlanta. Pichon sandwiched Erica Iverson's first career goal with her eighth and ninth tallies of the season to move into the league lead in goals. Pichon, a French national team player, leads the Charge and sits in a tie for third in the league with 19 points. She also moved in sole possession of third place on the Charge's all-time points list, passing Mandy Clemens (6g, 4a, 16 pts). Only Kelly Smith (8g, 6a, 22 pts) and Liu Ailing (10g, 4a, 24 pts) have more points all-time in a Charge uniform than Pichon.
Upcoming Opponent
The Charge conclude the back end of a brief, two-game homestand this Sunday when they host the New York Power. This will be the second of three contests between the Charge and Power this season. Back on April 27 Philadelphia traveled to Long Island and beat the Power 2-1. In the first meeting, Charge midfielder Mary-Frances Moore, a 22-year-old rookie out of UCLA, scored her first career WUSA goal on her first-ever shot on goal in the game's 32nd minute. Smith followed Monroe's effort up with the game-winning tally in the contest's waning moments on a penalty kick in the 88th minute. Pichon set up the penalty kick after she was taken down in the box by Power goalkeeper and former Charge player Saskia Webber, who was issued a red card as a result.
This game also marks the return of Webber to Philadelphia for the first time since she was dealt to New York in the off-season. Webber, who was a founding member of the WUSA, played in 12 games for the Charge last season and earned three shutouts in posting a 1.62 goals-against average.
The Charge own a 2-1-1 all-time record against the Power. The series has featured very close games, with each decision coming down to just one goal. Philadelphia has outscored the Power 7-6 in the teams' four meetings.
NEWS & NOTES
Unbeaten Streak is WUSA Best This Season
The Charge currently own a seven-game unbeaten streak (4-0-3), which is the best in the WUSA this season and third best in league history. The Charge's last, and only, loss this season came back on May 19 in San Diego. Since then the Charge have outscored their opponents by a total of 12-5 and have posted two shutouts. The longest unbeaten streak in league history is 10 games set last year by the then-Bay Area CyberRays (7-0-3), while the second-longest is held by the Atlanta Beat, who went 5-0-4 over nine games last season as well.
Charge Hold League's Longest Home Unbeaten Streak
This season the Charge are 4-0-2 at Villanova Stadium, having outscored their opponents 12-5. Dating back to last season, the Charge are 6-0-3 in their last nine as the host, marking the longest home unbeaten streak in league history. Currently, Boston's seven-game home unbeaten streak is second in league history. The Charge are also and 8-1-4 in their last 13 at home with the club's lone loss over that span coming to the Breakers on July 19. All-time Philadelphia is 9-3-3 at home.
Pichon Leading the Charge Offense
With her two goals in last Saturday's 3-1 Charge win over Atlanta, forward Marinette Pichon became the league's leading goal scorer with nine tallies this season. Pichon, who leads the team with 19 points, has scored four goals in her last three games and has tallied eight of the last 11 Charge goals dating back to 5/25 vs. Carolina. Her two-goal game this past Saturday was also her third of the season - and first against a team other than Carolina. She sits in third on the Charge's all-time points list, trailing only Kelly Smith (8g, 6a, 22 pts) and Liu Ailing (10g, 4a, 24 pts).
Mitts' Assists
Defender Heather Mitts has recorded and assist in three straight games. The former University of Florida All-American served a cross to Erica Iverson in the 47th minute of Saturday's 3-1 win over Atlanta that Iverson headed home for the eventual game-winner. Mitts' streak dates back to 6/15 versus Boston. She did not play in the Charge's 1-1 tie on 6/23 vs. San Diego, allowing the streak to continue. The assists are the only points for Mitts this season.
Simply Moore-velous
Melissa Moore has been tremendous in goal for the Charge this season. Upon coming to the club just before the start of last year after being waived by San Diego, Moore has made quite a name for herself in the WUSA. This season she leads the league in wins (8), winning percentage (79.2), goals-against average (0.83) and is second in save percentage (80.0) and total saves (56). Moore made a franchise best 10 saves in a 3-1 win over Carolina on 6/19 and followed that up with a seven-save performance on 6/23 in a 1-1 tie against San Diego. The 17 saves and 1-0-1 record in the week was good enough for Moore to finish third in Player of the Week voting. In her last six games, she has allowed only four goals and has yielded more than one goal only once this season, when she allowed two on 5/4 against Boston. She also has three shutouts on the season.
Powerpuff Girls' Night
The Charge will be hosting Powerpuff Girls' Night on Sunday, July 7, 2002 when the club plays the New York Power starting at 7 p.m. at Villanova Stadium. The Charge are offering a special Powerpuff Girls ticket package that includes tickets to the game, a personal pre-game Meet & Greet with the three Powerpuff Girls - Bubbles, Blossom and Buttercup -tickets to the upcoming Powerpuff Girls Movie and a movie poster starting at $15. In addition, washable Power Puff Girls' tattoos will be given to the first 3,000 kids 14 & under in attendance. This offer is limited so call the Charge ticket office at 215-467-GOAL to reserve your package today.
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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 1, 2002
- Newcomers Making an Impact - WUSA
- Carolina's Prinz Named Player of the Week - WUSA
- Charge Continue Home Field Dominance - Philadelphia Charge
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