Charge Season Ends in Semis, Again

August 19, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
Philadelphia Charge News Release


The Charge entered Saturday's semifinal match intent on erasing the memory of last season's heartbreaker. The taste of the 3-2 overtime loss to the Atlanta Beat in the semis was to be washed away by a win this time around and a trip back to Atlanta for a chance to bring home the Founders Cup.

However, the Washington Freedom had other ideas, sending the Charge home early for the second-straight year. Mia Hamm's club entered the game unbeaten in its last nine games and was perhaps the WUSA's best team over the second half of the season.

The game, which kicked off with a game-time temperature in the mid-90s, started predictably. Both teams played energetic, exciting soccer for the first half although neither club managed a goal. Washington came close to breaking the tie on three occasions though, twice hitting the crossbar and also being denied on a Bai Jie point-blank shot that was saved by Melissa Moore. The Charge's best chance came when Kerry Connors found herself all alone in the box. She darted in diagonally toward the left post but at an awkward angle and had her shot turned away by Washington keeper Siri Mullinix.

The second half commenced at a slower pace, with both teams seemingly trying to feel the other out. Hamm's entrance into the game created a couple of chances for the Freedom but amounted to nothing substantial. Then, in the 80th minute, Pu Wei placed a ball into the box for Jacqui Little, who turned and found a streaking Monica Gerardo. Gerardo, who had just come on in the 59th minute, blasted a ball from about seven yards out past Moore for the ultimate game winner.

Philadelphia fought hard for the equalizer, controlling possession for most of the rest of the way and creating a few opportunities, but eventually ran out of time. The Charge took 15 shots to the Freedom's eight and had 10 corner kicks but failed to convert.

With the win, Washington will now meet the Carolina Courage on Saturday in Atlanta in Founders Cup II. The Courage got a late, game-tying goal from Danielle Fotopoulos on a penalty kick in the 89th minute and then beat Atlanta with Carla Overbeck's golden goal in overtime.

Season-in-Review

Now the fun starts. With the premature ending to Philadelphia's season, the Charge are sure to come back next season hungrier than ever. But head coach Mark Krikorian will undoubtedly use the offseason to further strengthen and solidify a team that was probably the WUSA's best for most of the season.

The impressive year started, ironically, with the retirement of last year's Defender of the Year Doris Fitschen. Although her experience, leadership and skills would be missed, her exit allowed for the young and unproven Erica Iverson to step into the starting lineup. Iverson would go on to quiet all the questions and turn in a season that would have done Fitschen proud. She is one of three finalists for the 2002 Defender of the Year award.

Another feel-good story to be found on the Charge roster was goalkeeper Melissa Moore's performance. Cut by the San Diego Spirit prior to last season, she was picked up by Philly and eventually supplanted National Team member Saskia Webber as the team's No. 1 goalie. This season she went on to lead the league in winning percentage and goals against average (1.00) and is a finalist for Goalkeeper of the Year.

Krikorian also dipped into a wealth of overseas talent. He added Chinese National Team captain Zhao Lihong to roam the outside midfield. Lihong came over with a reputation as one of the top attacking midfielders in the world and did not disappoint. Her two goals and eight assists for 12 points ranked second on the team in scoring.

But the story of the Charge's season-and perhaps the WUSA for that matter-was Frenchwoman Marinette Pichon. The speedy forward crossed the Atlantic as a largely unknown commodity but Krikorian was pretty sure of what he was getting. A slow start was erased by her month of June in which her six goals helped garner Player of the Month honors. She went on to deliver 14 goals, second in the league and tallied 29 points which ranked fourth.

Philadelphia started the season quickly, winning its first four games and losing just once in its first 15 contests. A 10-game unbeaten streak spanning parts of May, June and July tied the league's all-time record.

The ingredients are there for another title run next season after premature endings to the Charge's postseason this year and last. Look for Krikorian to continue to fine-tune his roster and for young players like Stacey Tullock and Mary-Frances Monroe to step into the shoes of the original stars of the league. Philly is down but certainly not out. Expect the Charge to return hungrier than ever in 2003.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 19, 2002


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