Charge Continue Record-Setting Season Tonight Versus New York
July 24, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Philadelphia Charge News Release
The Philadelphia Charge will attempt to continue their winning ways and move closer to a playoff berth tonight when they host the New York Power at Villanova Stadium starting at 7 pm. The Charge (10-1-4) sit in first place in the WUSA standings with 34 points and are unbeaten in a league record tying 10 straight games (6-0-4). New York, on the other hand, is only 2-13-1 for seven points and has lost a league-record nine consecutive times. Tonight's game can be seen live on Comcast SportsNet.
Philadelphia needs only four more points to secure a playoff berth and six more points to host a semifinal game at Villanova Stadium on Saturday, August 17. Those magic numbers could decrease depending upon other results. In addition, a win or tie tonight would also extend the Charge's league-record home-unbeaten streak to 12 games. Philadelphia is 6-0-2 at home this year and 8-0-3 at Villanova going back to 2001.
New York has lost three in a row against the Charge, including both meetings this season. On April 27 the Charge traveled to Long Island and beat the Power 2-1 and then on July 7 the Power visited Philadelphia and were sent home 3-1 losers. All-time the Charge lead the series 3-1-1.
Marinette Pichon leads the Charge offensive attack this season. The Frenchwoman has a league-best 13 goals and 27 points. Last time versus New York, Pichon tallied a hat trick. She is garnering consideration for league MVP and Offensive Player of the Year honors. However, Pichon isn't doing it all herself. Midfielder Zhao Lihong has a four-game point-scoring streak en tact and goalkeeper Melissa Moore has four shutouts and a miniscule 0.80 goals-against average. Moore is expected to draw consideration for Goalkeeper of the Year, while defender Erica Iverson is being considered by a number of soccer analysts as Defensive Player of the Year. Add head coach Mark Krikorian's bid for Coach of the Year and the Charge could make it a clean sweep of the year-end awards.
After tonight, the Charge begin a two-game road trip by visiting the Boston Breakers on Saturday, July 27 starting at 6 pm. The Charge then travel to San Jose to face the defending Founders Cup champion CyberRays starting at 10 pm (ET). Philadelphia will return home on Saturday, August 3 to take on the San Diego Spirit starting at 7 pm. After the game, the Charge will host an on-field concert with the Christian rock band TrueVIBE playing their top hits.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 24, 2002
- Freedom, Breakers End in Draw - WUSA
- Milbrett Powers New York Past Charge - WUSA
- Milbrett, Power beat Charge - Philadelphia Charge
- Charge Continue Record-Setting Season Tonight Versus New York - Philadelphia Charge
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