Defender Tanaka "RHI-turns" to San Diego Spirit
May 21, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release
SAN DIEGO - Rhiannon Tanaka, who retired before the start of the 2003 season, has returned to the team. Tanaka, a hard-nosed defender out of UCLA who started 32 of 35 games in her Spirit career during the first two WUSA seasons, was added to the two-player reserve team by head coach Omid Namazi.
The Spirit released defender Amy Sauer to make room for Tanaka. With the injury to Shannon MacMillan, one of the two Spirit reserve players -- the other being midfielder Susan Bush -- will be eligible to travel on the 16-player roster for all remaining away games. All reserve team players are eligible to play in home games.
"I'm very happy to be back with the Spirit," said Tanaka, who retired in March. "I really missed competing at the highest level and especially missed being around my teammates. I never lost my love for the game and I always knew in the back of my mind that I might want to come back. I'm very appreciative that Omid and the players have accepted me back with open arms. For now, I just want to try to get back my game fitness and try to contribute in any way Omid asks me too."
Tanaka has logged almost 3,000 minutes of WUSA action and is known as a hard tackler and runner who is also good in the air. She holds the distinction of earning All-American honors at both USC, where she played her freshman year, and at UCLA. Tanaka played at UCLA for current Spirit defender and former Bruin head coach Joy Fawcett.
"We've been searching for another quality defender since training camp," said Namazi. "Rhi took some time off, but she's very committed to getting back in there and competing. We feel that she's the best quality defender out there now that's not on a WUSA team, and she was going to figure heavily in our plans before she retired. Now she has to come in and re-prove herself to her teammates and the organization, and help us achieve our goals of making the playoffs and winning a championship."
TRANSACTION: The San Diego Spirit (WUSA) signed D Rhiannon Tanaka to the reserve team. Released defender Amy Sauer from the reserve team.
For San Diego Spirit season, mini-plan or group ticket information, please contact the Spirit ticket office at 1-877-4SOCCER (1-877-476-2237) or 619-692-9872, or visit the club's website at www.sandiegospirit.com
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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