CyberRays and Earthquakes host doubleheader April 19

January 22, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Jose CyberRays News Release


SAN JOSE (Jan. 22, 2003) – The San Jose CyberRays and San Jose Earthquakes have teamed up to make Saturday, April 19 a great day for American soccer. The key players who turned the U.S. national teams into an international force will be showcased when the CyberRays and Earthquakes play the first WUSA-MLS doubleheader at Spartan Stadium.

The 4:30 p.m. game will match the 2001 WUSA champion CyberRays, led by their captain and World Cup hero Brandi Chastain, against Mia Hamm, international soccer's all-time scoring leader, and the Washington Freedom in the CyberRays' second home match of the 2003 season. Then Landon Donovan, whose scoring touch led the U.S. men to their first World Cup quarterfinal last summer in South Korea, and the 2001 MLS champion Earthquakes will open their home season against Donovan's U.S. teammate, Josh Wolff and the Kansas City Wizards.

``The CyberRays are excited to host what will be a huge soccer event for the Bay Area,'' said CyberRays general manager Marlene Bjornsrud. ``Fans of both the CyberRays and Earthquakes have been asking for a doubleheader, and this event will showcase the players that have created America's place in the international game.''

``The Earthquakes are proud to give soccer fans in the Bay Area the opportunity to see the top United States World Cup players on the same field on the same day,'' said Earthquakes general manager Johnny Moore. ``This game features the best soccer talent that America has produced and we are happy to partner with the CyberRays for a historic evening in Bay Area soccer.''

Tickets for the doubleheader go on sale Thursday by phone at (408) 260-3900, (408) 985-GOAL, at TicketMaster outlets or in person at CyberRays Tower, 1991 Park Ave. in San Jose. The doubleheader also will be part of CyberRays season ticket plans purchased by Feb. 28.

The CyberRays-Earthquakes doubleheader will be the sixth WUSA-MLS doubleheader since the WUSA's inaugural season in 2001. That year the Freedom and D.C. United of MLS paved the way for future events with a pair of regular season doubleheaders at RFK Stadium, which is home for both teams. The Washington teams partnered for a pair of doubleheaders again last season. Also in 2003, the WUSA's Boston Breakers and MLS New England Revolution hosted a doubleheader in CMGI Stadium in Foxboro, Mass.

The CyberRays played the Washington Freedom to a scoreless exhibition tie March 30, 2001 in the opening game of a doubleheader with the Colorado Rapids and Earthquakes.

The CyberRays open preseason training March 1 and open their 2003 season at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 5 against the Philadelphia Charge in Spartan Stadium. Season tickets are on sale now at CyberRays Tower, 1991 Park Ave., in San Jose or online at http://www..sjcyberrays.com/tickets/tix_seasontix.html.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from January 22, 2003


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