Kelly Smith Named Player of the Week
May 13, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
ATLANTA (Monday, May 13, 2002) - Philadelphia Charge forward Kelly Smith has been selected as the WUSA's Player of the Week for the week ending May 12, 2002. Smith, who is the first international player to win the WUSA's Player of the Week award in 2002, scored one goal and added an assist in Philadelphia's 3-1 victory over Washington on May 11 at Villanova Stadium.
Dubbed "a bull of a midfielder" by the Washington Post for her forceful runs through the Freedom defense, Smith gave Washington fits all day. In addition to assisting Erin Martin's second goal, the English national team star sealed the victory over the Freedom in the 88th minute when she made a brilliant 50-yard run through the Washington defense, faked a defender and beat goalkeeper Dawn Greathouse from 16 yards. Currently second in the WUSA with three goals and two assists for eight points, Smith has registered a goal or an assist in a WUSA-record seven consecutive regular season games (eight matches with last year's playoff loss at Atlanta).
"Kelly's a multifaceted player who realizes now that the sky's the limit," said Philadelphia Head Coach Mark Krikorian. "She can be as good a player as she wants to be."
Smith, who had 32 points in the voting (and 15 of the 19 first-place votes), outdistanced teammate Erin Martin (15 pts.), San Diego's (8 pts.) and Boston's Maren Meinert (2 pt.). The WUSA's Player of the Week is selected every Monday throughout the regular season by a panel of journalists from the Professional Soccer Reporters Association.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from May 13, 2002
- Charge Off to Record Start - WUSA
- Spirit Weekly - San Diego Spirit
- Atlanta Beat Weekly - Atlanta Beat
- Charge Sit Alone Atop WUSA - Philadelphia Charge
- Smith Earns Player of the Week Honors - Philadelphia Charge
- Kelly Smith Named Player of the Week - WUSA
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