Charge Looking Good So Far
Published on March 18, 2002 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Philadelphia Charge News Release
PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Philadelphia Charge are rolling so far this pre-season, posting an incredible 15 goals through just two games after routing the University of Maryland on Sunday, 9-1, at Villanova Stadium. Mandy Clemens and Marinette Pichon each recorded a hat trick to lead to the Charge, who also beat the Long Island Lady Rough Riders 6-0 back on March 10. Liu Ailing, Rebekah McDowell and Kerry Connors also scored against the Terps on Sunday. Connors was acquired from the New York Power earlier this week in exchange for defender Kalli Kamholz.
"We are playing well so far," head coach Mark Krikorian said. "However, these are just exhibition games and don't amount to much. I'm more concentrated on our players evolving into a more cohesive unit as the regular season approaches." Liu Ailing was the Charge's leading scorer last season, registering 10 goals and two assists for 22 points. Clemens was the team's second-leading scorer with five goals and three assists for 13 points. Pichon, a French National Team star, is in her first year in the WUSA and is expected to add offense to an already potent Philadelphia squad. In just 12 games with her club team in France this past year, Pichon had 22 goals. She has tallied over 30 goals in 54 appearances with her national team.
Media Luncheon a Hit
The Charge held their 2nd Annual Media Luncheon on Monday, March 18 at Bullies Sports Bar and Restaurant located at the First Union Spectrum. Various media representatives, local sponsors and even season ticket holders made the trip to South Philly for the event.
All of the Charge players expect captain Kelly Smith, who is with England's national team, were at the luncheon, which gave everyone a chance to get up to speed with the team on and off the field. Charge general manager Tim Murphy briefly spoke about the team's off-the-field happenings and head coach Mark Krikorian followed with a team update.
Players signed autographs and took pictures with some of the fans in attendance and later answered one-on-one questions with the various media representatives who were in attendance.
The Charge unveiled two promotional items at the luncheon as well, as the Lorrie Fair and Heather Mitts bobblehead dolls made their first public appearance.
"The bobbleheads are kind of cool," Fair said. "It will be good for the fans to have a chance to collect these items later in the season."
Look Out Richmond, Here We Come
The Charge will travel to Richmond, VA on Tuesday, March 19 to begin training against other WUSA East Coast teams. Philadelphia will begin practicing on Wednesday and the highlight of the week will be a WUSA tripleheader on Saturday, March 23 at Richmond University. The Charge will kick off the slate against the Carolina Courage starting at 3 p.m.
Upon their return, the Charge will wrap up their exhibition schedule on Saturday, March 30 against the University of Virginia starting at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free to all Charge pre-season games at Villanova Stadium.
Lihong Arrives
Zhao Lihong arrived to Charge camp Sunday and took part in the team's Media Luncheon on Monday. She will also be traveling with the club to Richmond.
The arrival of the Chinese national team star also brought the departure of first-round draft choice Stacey Tullock, who returned to Arizona State to finish here degree after spending her Spring Break in Philadelphia training.
Zhao is a long-time member of China's national team, appearing in over 120 international games. She was named an all-star at the 1999 Women's World Cup and recently scored the game-winning goal for China in the Algarve Cup.
Charge Announce TV Schedule
The Philadelphia Charge will have a total of 16 games televised live in the 2002 season, as the club announced a partnership with Comcast SportsNet and CN8, the Comcast Network, to air a combined 12 Charge games to go along with the club's four nationally televised contests on PAX-TV.
This is the second straight year that the Charge will be broadcast on CN8 and Comcast SportsNet. Last season, a total of nine games were aired locally between the two networks, with this season's total increasing by three.
"We have tremendous partners in CN8 and Comcast SportsNet," Charge general manager Tim Murphy said. "The increase in the televised game schedule proves that women's soccer is becoming more and more a part of the mainstream. We couldn't be happier with our television partners."
The TV schedule kicks off immediately with CN8 broadcasting the club's season opener in Atlanta live on Saturday, April 13 starting at 7:00 p.m. CN8, which will air a total of seven games, will also broadcast the Charge's home opener against the Boston Breakers live on Saturday, May 4 at 7 p.m. The network will air a total of five away contests and two home tilts.
Comcast SportsNet will broadcast five games live, with three being home games and two on the road. Its first telecast will come on Saturday, May 25 at 7 p.m. in Carolina as the Charge battle the Courage, while its first home telecast will be on Saturday, June 1 against San Jose starting at 7 p.m.
The 2001 broadcast team of Lou Tilley and Jim Harrison will remain the same for the 2002 campaign.
2002 Charge Television Schedule DAY DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET) TV Saturday April 13 at Atlanta 7:00 p.m. CN8
Saturday May 4 BOSTON 7:00 p.m. CN8
Saturday May 11 WASHINGTON 4:00 p.m. PAX
Sunday May 19 at San Diego 8:00 p.m. CN8
Saturday May 25 at Carolina 7:00 p.m. CSN
Saturday June 1 SAN JOSE 7:00 p.m. CSN
Saturday June 8 WASHINGTON 4:00 p.m. PAX
Wednesday June 19 at Carolina 7:00 p.m. CN8
Saturday June 29 ATLANTA 7:00 p.m. CN8
Sunday July 7 NEW YORK 7:00 p.m. CSN
Sunday July 14 at Washington 4:00 p.m. CN8
Saturday July 20 CAROLINA 4:00 p.m. PAX
Wednesday July 24 NEW YORK 7:00 p.m. CSN
Wednesday July 31 at San Jose 10:00 p.m. CN8
Saturday Aug. 3 SAN DIEGO 7:00 p.m. CSN
Saturday Aug. 10 at Atlanta 4:00 p.m. PAX
Get Your Tickets Now!
The Philadelphia Charge are slated to play 11 games at Villanova Stadium this season, which is one more than the club's inaugural campaign. To order your season tickets call the Charge ticket office at 215-467-GOAL. You can also order single game tickets by calling Ticketmaster at 215-336-2000 or 856-338-9000 or 302-984-2000.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from March 18, 2002
- Charge Looking Good So Far - Philadelphia Charge
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