CyberRays-San Diego game changed to July 2 at Spartan
May 5, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Jose CyberRays News Release
SAN JOSE (May 5, 2003) â The San Jose CyberRays-San Diego Spirit women's soccer match at Spartan Stadium, originally scheduled for July 13, has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 2.
The date change of the WUSA match was requested by the CyberRays because of a conflict that developed with the U.S. Women's National Team game against Brazil on the original date. In addition to the U.S. national players on their rosters, the CyberRays and San Diego also have the WUSA's only four Brazilians. Based on past call-up history, the two teams combined will lose as many as 11 players â 50 percent of their probable starting lineups â to the international match in New Orleans, which is a tune-up for the Women's World Cup to be played this fall.
``We are supportive of the World Cup and the preparations that the various national teams must make for this huge women's sports event,'' CyberRays general manager Marlene Bjornsrud said. ``At the same time, we have made a commitment to our fans to present only the highest level of professional soccer, and that would be impossible with the loss of so many players from both teams. We are grateful to the San Diego Spirit and the WUSA for their cooperation in making this change.''
The CyberRays typically lose three players to U.S. national team call-ups, and because the U.S. opponent for the international match is Brazil, probably will lose all three of their Brazilians as well. San Diego usually loses four U.S. players to the national team and also has one Brazilian.
At the time the WUSA schedule was put together, it was anticipated that the international match would be played on Saturday, July 12, allowing players to return to their respective league teams for the Sunday match in San Jose. However, the international match was moved to Sunday to suit national television.
Tickets already purchased for the original date will be honored at the Spartan Stadium gates on July 2, which has been designated Girl Power Night, which will bring as many as 1,000 girls to see the world's best women professional soccer players in action. Through this game the CyberRays will promote programs that support and encourage the success of girls and women in their personal, family, community and professional lives. Fans holding tickets for the original date who cannot attend the July 2 match may contact the CyberRays at (408) 260-3900 to exchange their tickets for another home match.
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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from May 5, 2003
- WUSA Invades World Cup - WUSA
- Target: Playoffs - San Diego Spirit
- Power Weekly Notes - New York Power
- Beat Looks to Get Back on Winning Track in Showdown Versus San Diego - Atlanta Beat
- Courage Introduces the 'Kickback Zone' - Carolina Courage
- Christie Welsh Named MET-Rx Player of the Week - New York Power
- Welsh Named Player of the Week - WUSA
- San Diego Spirit Match Date Change - San Diego Spirit
- CyberRays-San Diego game changed to July 2 at Spartan - San Jose CyberRays
- Team returns home for rare springtime game - San Jose CyberRays
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