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Parity Continues in the WUSA

April 22, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release


ATLANTA (Monday, April 21, 2002) - It may be early in the season, but the Women's United Soccer Association continues to field eight teams that can beat each other on any given day. In similar fashion to the 2001 season, the parity among WUSA clubs is continuing in the second year of play as seven of the league's eight teams currently have three points after the first two weekends.

Depending on the day, any WUSA team can come away with a victory. During the first weekend of the 2002 season, the visitors were victorious in three of the four openers. The second weekend saw all three home teams come away with the win.

While seven teams have three points, the one club that does not have a point in two games is the Atlanta Beat, the consensus preseason favorite among soccer journalists. The Beat was defeated Saturday, 3-1, at Boston. The loss came after Philadelphia downed Atlanta 2-0 on April 13 in Atlanta. The Breakers were bolstered by the return of Kristine Lilly, while Atlanta was missing forward Sun Wen, who did not make the trip due to a left adductor strain suffered in practice during the week.

"We're seeing a team that for the first time since it's been playing is having its character tested," said Atlanta Head Coach Tom Stone, who felt the Beat had a stronger game against Boston compared to the club's opener against Philadelphia. "If we had played last week like we did this week, we probably would have come away with a point."

Atlanta (0-2-0) will have a chance to pick up its first victory when the Beat battles Washington (1-1-0) this Saturday, April 27, in a nationally televised match on PAX from Herndon Stadium in Atlanta. Washington was a surprise winner over defending WUSA champion San Jose on Sunday, defeating the CyberRays 2-1 on a rainy day at RFK Stadium.

"Atlanta is a very physical and hardworking team that is difficult to match up with due to their unique system of play (4-2-2-2)," said Washington Head Coach Jim Gabarra. "We love the challenge they present."

After a tough loss to Washington on Sunday, San Jose (1-1-0) heads back home to battle a much-improved Carolina Courage (1-0-0) on Saturday at Spartan Stadium as part of a doubleheader that features the U.S. national team vs. Finland in game one and the CyberRays and Courage in the second match. San Jose swept the Courage in three meetings in 2001.

"I'm sure we've become a bigger target for Carolina as a result of our series last season, and they're an improved team from last year," San Jose Head Coach Ian Sawyers said following Sunday's loss at Washington. "This time they'll be playing us with the psyche of a winner.''

The San Diego Spirit (1-1-0) will look to continue its high-scoring ways when the club makes its first road trip of the season with a visit to Boston (1-1-0) on Saturday. Coming off a record-setting 6-1 win over New York on April 20, San Diego faces an inspired Breakers squad led by Lilly and goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc. With starter Tracy Ducar out until later this summer with a knee injury, LaBlanc has come up big, making numerous acrobatic saves for the Breakers during the first two matches. LeBlanc will be active against Spirit team that scores goals in bunches.

"It looks like we got out of town in the nick of time," Carolina Head Coach Marcia McDermott commented on San Diego's 6-1 win over New York. "That result demonstrates just how even all the teams in the WUSA really are. Every team is excellent on paper and can beat any other team in any given week."

The question for New York Head Coach Pat Farmer is, 'Which Power team will show up?' Will it be the Power squad that exploded for four goals in a 4-1 win over Washington during the opening weekend? Or will it be the version that surrendered a WUSA-record six goals to San Diego in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Spirit? New York (1-1-0) hosts Philadelphia (1-0-0) in the Power's home opener on Saturday. New York will face a high-powered Charge offense led by Kelly Smith and Chinese internationals Zhao Lihong and Liu Ailing.

"We played well in our exhibition match against them on April 7 in New Jersey," said Farmer, referring to the Power's 2-1 victory over the Charge. "The have a very potent offensive team which includes some special players that we will have to watch out for."

GOALS ABOUND: With the second week of competition complete, the six teams in action combined for a total of 14 goals April 20-21. This puts the total goals for the 2002 season at 27. Last year the teams were a little slower starting off in scoring goals. At the conclusion of the second week in 2001 only four goals had been scored. The 27-goal mark was not reached until the fifth week of the 2001 season.

2002 Season 2001 Season

Week 1 (4 games - 2.75 goals per game) Week 1 (1 game - 1 goal per game)
13 total goals 1 total goal

Week 2 (3 games - 4.67 goals per game) Week 2 (3 games - 1 goal per game)
14 goals 3 goals
27 total goals 4 total goals
(3.86 goals per game) (1 goal per game)

27 goals in 2 weeks 27 goals in 5 weeks
Total of 7 games Total of 14 games

HOOPER TO PARTICPATE IN THIS WEEK'S WUSA.COM CHAT: Atlanta forward Charmaine Hooper will be the feature guest on this week's WUSA.com web chat on Tuesday, April 23. The chat will begin at 8:00 p.m. (ET) and will last approximately 30 minutes. For more information, log on to www.WUSA.com. TRADING PLACES: During Washington's 2-1 victory over the San Jose CyberRays on Sunday, April 21, both Jacqui Little (Freedom) and Michelle French (San Jose) scored goals against their former teams. This was the first time in WUSA history a player had recorded a goal versus their former club. French was acquired by San Jose in a trade with the Washington Freedom on December 21, 2001 for midfielder Ann Cook. Little was acquired by the Freedom from the CyberRays on November 13, 2001 for forward Pretinha.

DOUBLE-DOUBLES: On Saturday, April 20, San Diego forwards Shannon MacMillan and Zhang Ouying each scored two goals in a 6-1 win over the New York Power. This marks only the second time in WUSA history that two players from the same team have recorded multiple goals in the same match.

August 6, 2001 - Philadelphia 5, Carolina 1
Liu Ailing 3 goals (1assist)
Mandy Clemens 2 goals

April 20, 2002 - San Diego 6, New York 1
Shannon MacMillan 2 goals
Zhang Ouying 2 goals

HEAD OF THE CLASS:: The 2002 WUSA Rookie Class has definitely made its mark during the first two weeks of the season. Leading the way is Washington forward Abby Wambach, who in two games has amassed three assists (on the only goals for the Freedom) to lead the league in that category. San Diego midfielder Lori Lindsey not only scored the first goal of her career but also of the 2002 class in Saturday's 6-1 win over the New York Power. Below is a brief look at what this year's rookie are producing:

Rookie Breakdown

* 1,313 Totals Minutes Played
* 15 Total Shots Taken
* 7 Shot on Goal
* 1 Goal: Lori Lindsey (SD) 1
* 4 Assists: Abby Wambach (WAS) 3; Minna Mustonen (NY) 1.

A LESSON IN CHINESE-AMERICAN RELATIONS: Atlanta Head Coach Tom Stone got a lesson in Chinese-American relations Saturday in the Beat's 2-0 loss at Boston, when Chinese national team midfielder Liping Wang collided with a Breakers player and had to be carried off the field.

When asked what was wrong with Liping, Stone said, ''It's hard to say, because we can't talk to her.''

Stone promptly used a cell phone to reach Liping's Chinese teammate, Sun Wen, who did not travel with the Beat due to an injury. Sun Wen was able to talk to her teammate in Chinese and her coach in English.

''We had Sun Wen on the cell phone and she told our trainer that Liping thought she could go back in,'' said Stone. ''Then I told our trainer to tell Liping that she doesn't have to go back in, because in our country if you're hurt you come out. But finally, by the time we were done talking, her knee stopped hurting and she went back in.''

Liping later scored the Spirit's only goal.

WASHINGTON FINDS SUCCESS AT RFK: The Freedom defeated the San Jose CyberRays 2-1 on Sunday to snap a four-game home-losing streak and a seven-game winless streak, dating back to July 15, 2001. In that match the Freedom defeated the New York Power 2-1 at RFK Stadium.

WUSA PLAYERS GET CALLED UP: The U.S Women's national team will participate in a doubleheader with the San Jose CyberRays on April 27 at Spartan Stadium. The U.S. will face Finland following the match between San Jose and Carolina. The WUSA will be prominently featured as 14 of the league's top players will be a part of the USA's second domestic match of the year. In addition, New York's Minna Mustonen will suit up for Finland. Below is a listing of those players selected for this match:

U.S. Finland

Atlanta - Kylie Bivens New York - Minna Mustonen
Boston - Kristine Lilly
Boston - Jena Kluegel
Boston - Angela Hucles
Carolina - Danielle Slaton
New York - Tiffeny Milbrett
Philadelphia - Mandy Clemens
Philadelphia - Lorrie Fair
San Diego - Joy Fawcett
San Diego - Shannon MacMillan
San Diego - Julie Foudy
San Jose - Brandi Chastain
San Jose - LaKeysia Beene
Washington - Abby Wambach

OFFENSIVE RECORDS BROKEN: The San Diego Spirit beat the New York Power 6-1 Saturday afternoon, setting WUSA records for goals scored and margin of victory. Two minutes into the second half, the Spirit (1-1) had already broken the club record for goals in a match. Shannon MacMillan and Chinese international Zhang Ouying each had two goals and an assist. Newcomer Zhang Ouying currently leads the WUSA in scoring with three goals and one assist for seven points. MacMillan is second (2g, 1a=5pts).

Highest Scoring Games:

1. April 20, 2002 San Diego 6, New York 1
2. May 26, 2001 Carolina 4, San Diego 3
3. May 16, 2001 Boston 4, Bay Area 2
4. June 7, 2001 New York 4, Carolina 2
5. July 26, 2001 New York 4, Boston 2
6. August 6, 2001 Philadelphia 5, Carolina 1

* San Diego involved in two out of the five highest scoring games in WUSA history.
* Carolina and New York are each involved in three out of the six highest scoring games in WUSA history.

Most Goals in a Game by a Team:

1. April 20, 2002 San Diego 6, New York 1
2. August 6, 2001 Philadelphia 5, Carolina 1
3. May 26, 2001 Carolina 4, San Diego 3
May 16, 2001 Boston 4, Bay Area 2
June 7, 2001 New York 4, Carolina 2
July 26, 2001 New York 4, Boston 2

* New York has twice scored four goals in a game, the only team to do so

WUSA Game Previews (Week Three)

Saturday, April 27, 2002 - Washington Freedom at Atlanta Beat - 4:00 p.m. (ET) - PAX TV (National Broadcast) (All-time Series History: Atlanta leads 3-0-0)

Atlanta holds a 3-0-0 all-time lead in the series history while outscoring Washington 7-4 in those three matches. All three meetings were decided by one goal, including the last meeting in which the Beat defeated the Freedom 2-1 at RFK Stadium on August 4, 2001. Charmaine Hooper scored twice in that match to snap a three-game losing skid for Atlanta while extending Washington's winless streak to five. Atlanta, which is looking for its first home victory at Herndon Stadium, recorded the first home victory of the 2001 season versus the Freedom on June 9, 2001. Washington is currently riding six-game road winless skid, which began with the Beat back in that same match.

Key Players to Watch: Coming off its upset victory of San Jose on Sunday, April 21, Washington looks to make it two in a row for the first time since the start of the 2001 season. Washington forwards Jacqui Little (1g) and Tracey Milburn will need to pick up the slack due to Abby Wambach's national team call up this weekend. Monica Gerardo (who is probable this week) missed last week's match versus the CyberRays due to a left hamstring strain and will be looked upon to provide the spark that Washington will need to win. Atlanta has not put up impressive offensive numbers so far. However, the Beat remains as dangerous as ever with forwards Hooper and Cindy Parlow. Liping Wang recorded her first career WUSA goal on Saturday versus Boston. The goal was also the first and only goal for Atlanta this season.

The "Inside Scoop": This matchup features two teams looking for "firsts" in the win column. Atlanta will be looking to earn its first victory of he 2002 season, while Washington is eyeing up the opportunity to grab its first win over the Beat. Both teams are a bit nicked up and will be looking for some unlikely heroes this Saturday. Sun Wen did not play for the Beat last Saturday due to a left adductor strain, which was suffered in practice last week. She is listed as questionable for the match. Washington stars Mia Hamm and Siri Mullinix are still out due to injuries, leaving the door open for newcomers such as goalkeeper Dawn Greathouse to continue to shine.

They Said it: "Washington is a well balanced team and can handle the physical nature that we play with. They have a couple of big targets up front that we'll have to contend with. They also have a well organized defense and good goalkeeping." - Atlanta Head Coach Tom Stone on Washington.

Referee: Todd Perry. Assistant Referees: Patrick Baker, Sandra Serafini. 4th Official: Griff B. Sims.

Saturday, April 27, 2002 - San Diego Spirit at Boston Breakers - 7:00 p.m. (ET) - AT&T 3 (Boston); Cox 4 (San Diego) (All-time Series History: San Diego leads 3-0-0)

With a scoring advantage of 7-2 all-time and three straight wins over the Breakers, San Diego heads to Boston for only the second time. The last meeting between these two teams was on August 5, 2001. In that match Tara Koleski scored the only goal of the match as the Spirit defeated Boston 1-0 at Nickerson Field. Mercy Akide is the only player to record multiple goals (3) in this series while four other Spirit players have found the back of the net versus Boston.

Key Players to Watch: The Spirit offense was firing on all cylinders as San Diego lit up New York 6-1 last Saturday. Shannon MacMillan (this week's WUSA Player of the Week) and Zhang Ouying netted two goals a piece for San Diego. Zhang, the current scoring leader in the WUSA (3g, 1 a, 7 pts.) has scored in two-consecutive matches. MacMillan, second in the league in scoring (2g, 1a, 5 pts.), will be out due to national team duty. Maren Meinert looks to continue to produce for the Breakers (1g, 1a, 3 pts.) as the German star has recorded a point in her first two matches of the 2002 season. Karina LeBlanc (1-1-0 1.50 GAA) continues to be solid in the net for Boston, filling in for the injured Tracy Ducar.

The "Inside Scoop": San Diego set the WUSA single-game record for goals scored last week (6). The Spirit has traditionally done well offensively versus Boston, winning all three prior meetings. The Breakers however, come into the match on a high after shutting down the Beat in the Breakers home opener. Both teams will be short-handed as three players from each squad (MacMillan, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett - San Diego; Kristine Lilly, Jena Kluegel, Angela Hucles - Boston) have been called up to national team duty.

They Said it: "You know that soccer is a crazy game and that is why we love playing it. Anyone can beat any team on any given day." - San Diego forward Shannon MacMillan on the team's six-goal performance last Saturday.

Referee: Faith Rossi. Assistant Referees: Thomas Supple, Kelly Lee. 4th Official: Jeffery Cukor.

Saturday, April 27, 2002 - Philadelphia Charge at New York Power - 7:00 p.m. (ET) - MSG (New York) (All-time Series History: Series tied 1-1-1)

In a series in which both teams have found success at home, the Philadelphia Charge heads to Mitchel Athletic Complex for only the second time. New York holds a 1-0-1 record versus the Charge at home. Both teams have registered five goals apiece in this series. The last meeting between New York and Philadelphia took place on July 30, 2001 at Villanova Stadium. Philadelphia won that match 2-1.

Key Players to Watch: Despite the loss of Mandy Clemens and Lorrie Fair due to national team duty, the Charge will rely on international star Kelly Smith. The Philadelphia forward buried the game-winning goal versus Atlanta two weeks ago (April 13). Zhao Lihong (1g, 2 pts), who scored in her first WUSA appearance, will help to control the midfield for Philadelphia during Fair's absence. New York will rely heavily on forward/midfielder Linda Ormen (1g, 2a, 4 pts.) as both Tiffeny Milbrett (2g, 4 pts.) and Minna Mustonen (1a) will miss Saturday's match due to a call-up to their national team. With Gao Hong still (right wrist), Saskia Weber (1-1-0, 3.50 GAA) will face her former squad this weekend in net. Weber was traded to New York from Philadelphia during the offseason.

The "Inside Scoop": After giving up six goals to San Diego last weekend, the Power looks to rebound against a very tough Philadelphia squad that is coming off a bye week. International stars Smith and Zhao, along with Marinette Pichon, will likely be key factors for the Charge. Since New York will have to go without Milbrett and Mustonen on Saturday. The Power will look to the Norwegian duo of Anita Rapp and Linda Ormen to run the offense.

They Said it: "We played well in our exhibition match against them on April 7 in New Jersey, coming away with a 2-1 victory. The have a very potent offensive team which includes some special players, that we will have to watch out for." - New York coach Pat Farmer on Philadelphia.

Referee: Jennifer O'Brien. Referee Assistants: Steven Taylor, John Konstaninidis. 4th Official: Christopher Price.

Saturday, April 27, 2002 - Carolina Courage at San Jose CyberRays - 7:30 p.m. (ET) - KICU (San Jose); CNNSI Regional (Carolina) (All-time Series History: San Jose leads 3-0-0)

San Jose leads a series (3-0-0) in which the CyberRays hold a 6-2 advantage in goal scoring. The last meeting between these two teams was a 2-1 victory for the CyberRays in Carolina (July 29, 2001). San Jose has outscored Carolina at Spartan Stadium 4-1. Tisha Venturini-Hoch leads all CyberRays in goals versus Carolina with two while the Courage's Danielle Fotopoulos is the only member of her squad to find the back of the net versus San Jose. Last season, Carolina was the only team in which San Jose swept.

Key Players to Watch: Despite being called to the U.S. national team, CyberRays 'keeper LaKeysia Beene (1-1-0, 1.50 GAA) will suit up for San Jose this weekend. Brandi Chastian, who also was called up and is the CyberRays leading scorer (1g, 1a, 3 pts.), will be the only vacant spot for the CyberRays. Venturini-Hoch will look to continue to have success versus the courage. She is the only player to record multiple goals versus the Courage, including the game-winner on May 13, 2001 while playing with her arm in a cast. Carolina will be without the services of first-round pick Danielle Slaton due to national team duty. Fotopoulos (1g, 2 pts.) will look to make it two in a row as the Carolina forward notched a goal two weeks ago versus San Diego. Goalkeeper Kristin Luckenbill, who had seven saves versus San Diego (April 13) will try to anchor her team as they look for their second straight victory.

The "Inside Scoop": As a part of a double header, the CyberRays and Courage will take the field prior to the U.S. versus Finland. San Jose goalkeeper Beene will pull double duty as she was called up to play for the national team and is also cleared to play for the CyberRays. Carolina is coming off a bye week and is well rested for this match. With only two players out (Carla Overbeck - post surgery recovery; and Danielle Slaton - national team), the Courage will field squad looking to win back-to-back games for the first time since July 26, 2001.

They Said it: "I'm sure we've become a bigger target for the Carolina Courage as a result of our series last season, and they're an improved team from last season. This time they'll be playing us with the psyche of a winner.'' - San Jose coach Ian Sawyers on Carolina.

Referee: Rachel Woo. Referee Assistants: Karalee Sutton, Alex DelAngel, Jr. 4th Official: Dinesh Singh.

TEAM INJURY REPORTS AS OF 4/22/02

ATLANTA BEAT: QUESTIONABLE - D Nancy Augustyniak (R knee patellar tendonitis); F Cindy Parlow (R ankle contusion); F Sun Wen (left adductor strain).

BOSTON BREAKER: OUT - GK Tracy Ducar (R knee articular cartilage lesion); D Kate Sobrero (L knee meniscus tear); QUESTIONABLE - F Ranghild Gulbrandsen (foot surgery).

CAROLINA COURAGE: DOUBTFUL - D Carla Overbeck (R knee surgery)

NEW YORK POWER: OUT - GK Gao Hong (R wrist surgery); D Jenn O'Sullivan (L knee ACL/PCL tear); D/M Sara Whalen (Broken ribs).

PHILADELPHIA CHARGE: QUESTIONABLE - F Rakel Karvelsson (R knee sprain); M Rebekah McDowell (L knee sprain). PROBABLE - D Erica Iverson (R foot); M Mary-Frances Monroe (R ankle sprain).

SAN DIEGO SPIRIT: DOUBTFUL - F Tara Koleski (R knee sprain).

SAN JOSE CYBERRAYS: PROBABLE - M Sissi (L ankle sprain); F Pretinha (hip pointer)

WASHINGTON FREEDOM: OUT - F Mia Hamm (L knee thigh bone lesion); D Casey Zimny (recuperation from surgery). QUESTIONABLE - GK Siri Mullinix (R shoulder surgery); PROBABLE - GK Erin Fahey (R hip flexor pull); M Monica Gerardo (L hamstring strain).

TEAM-BY-TEAM NOTES

ATLANTA BEAT: The Beat fell to 0-2-0 with a 3-1 loss at Boston Saturday, April 20 ... Newcomer Liping Wang scored Atlanta's first and only goal of the season ... In 2001 the Beat dropped its second game in its 17th contest of the season ... The Beat's defense, best in the WUSA in 2001, has given up five goals in two games (2.5 GAA, tied for 6th in the WUSA) ... The Beat had not given up five goals in 2001 until the 9th game of last season ... Atlanta has lost three consecutive games just one time in team history (July 26, July 29 and Aug. 1, 2001) ... The Saturday April 27 match will mark the first meeting of two of the four sets of twins in the WUSA ... The Beat's Nancy and Julie Augustyniak were the only set of twins to play on the same team in 2001 ... The Freedom's Jacqui and Skylar Little became teammates during the offseason after a trade sent Jacqui to Washington from San Jose ... Both Littles and Julie Augustyniak should see action, but Nancy Augustyniak has yet to see the field, as she recovers from patellar tendonitis in her right knee ... She is listed as questionable for Saturday ... The other twins in the WUSA are Ronnie Fair (New York Power) and Lorrie Fair (Philadelphia Charge) and Jennifer Tietjen (Philadelphia Charge) and Margaret Tietjen (San Diego Spirit). BOSTON BREAKERS: The Breakers walked off Nickerson Field on Saturday night with a 3-1 win over the Atlanta Beat as Dagny Mellgren, Angela Hucles and Kristine Lilly scored in the home opener ... Lilly made her first appearance in 2002 after missing the opener (a 2-1 loss at San Jose on April 13) with a sore back ... Lilly was one of four WUSA players to play every game during the 2001 regular season ... Keri Raygor is the only Breakers player to start all 23 games in club history ... The Breakers started three rookies on defense - Jena Kluegel, Michaella Rooney and Monica Gonzalez ... For Kluegel and Gonzalez, this was their second straight start, while Rooney, a Brown graduate, made her pro debut ... Hucles had her first multiple point game of her WUSA career with the game-winning goal and an assist ... Bettina Wiegmann arrived in Boston on Friday night after playing for the German National Team on Thursday ... Wiegmann had a hat trick as Germany defeated the Netherlands 6-0 ... Future Carolina forward Birgit Prinz scored the other three goals.

CAROLINA COURAGE: Carolina was off last weekend, but the first annual Carolina Courage Fanfest took place on Saturday, April 20 ... An estimated crowd of 3,000 took part in the festivities at the Amphitheatre at Regency Park in Cary ... The entire Courage team was on hand to meet fans, sign autographs, and conduct mini soccer demonstrations ... Following Saturday's trip to San Jose to battle the CyberRays, the Courage will play its historic home opener at the brand new State Capital Soccer Park on May 4th at 4:00 p.m. ET ... The game will be nationally televised on PAX ... Future Carolina forward Birgit Prinz had a hat trick as Germany defeated the Netherlands 6-0 ... Boston's Bettina Wiegmann scored the other three goals.

NEW YORK POWER: The Power got off to a slow start, and weren't able to recover from a couple of early goals en route to their worst loss in team history, falling to the San Diego Spirit 6-1 on Saturday at Torero Stadium ... The six goals by the Spirit were a league record ... New York's Emily Janss scored in the 82nd minute, preventing the Spirit shutout ... New York's Tiffeny Milbrett, the WUSA's 2001 Most Valuable Player who scored two goals in the Power's 4-1 victory at Washington last week, has yet to score in three all-time games against San Diego ... The U.S. national team star registered three shots in Saturday's 6-1 loss at San Diego, but she was held in check by San Diego central defender Fan Yunjie and defensive midfielder Shannon Boxx ... New York looks to bounce back on Saturday when the Power hosts Philadelphia at Mitchel Athletic Complex.

PHILADELPHIA CHARGE: Philadelphia had a bye week last week and are well rested after downing Atlanta 2-0 on April 13... With their win over Atlanta, the Charge have now recorded at least one victory over every team in the WUSA... Philadelphia will next face New York on April 27, marking the first time that Power 'keeper Saskia Webber will face her former team since being traded during the offseason... Former Power forward Kerry Connors will also face her former club for the first time after being dealt to the Charge for Kalli Kamholz in the preseason... Both goals scored by the Charge in 2002 have been recorded by international players... Of the Charge's 37 goals, 21 in all have been scored by internationals... Of those 21 goals, 11 have been registered by Chinese players, with Liu Ailing tallying 10.

SAN DIEGO SPIRIT The Spirit made WUSA history with a 6-1 victory over the New York Power on Saturday at Torero Stadium... The Spirit set five WUSA records while tying three last Saturday... Shannon MacMillan and Zhang Ouying each notched two goals in the win... The two goals for MacMillan gives the national team star five multiple-goal matches in her WUSA career... Zhang, who played in only her second WUSA match of her career, has scored at least one goal in each of the Spirit's two matches... 2001 WUSA MVP Tiffeny Milbrett was held scoreless for the third-straight time by the Spirit... Only two members of the New York Power have ever scored versus the Spirit (Emily Janss and Tammy Pearman)... Julie Foudy increased her team-high career assist total to nine with an assist last Saturday... U.S. Bobsledder Shauna Rohbock made her first professional start versus the Power... San Diego looks to continue to score as the Spirit face the Boston Breakers at Nickerson Field on Saturday, April 27.

SAN JOSE CYBERRAYS: Jose dropped its first game of the season in a 2-1 loss to the Washington Freedom on April 21 at RFK Stadium ... Michelle French's goal versus the Freedom marked the first time that a WUSA player has scored against their former team... Thori Bryan played a full 90 for the CyberRays, extending her streak of 23 consecutive regular season matches played... Defender Dianne Alagich saw her first WUSA action of the since tearing her ACL on July 24, 2001 last Sunday... Alagich came off the bench after Sissi suffered an ankle sprain in the 50th minute... Goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene will pull double duty during this Saturday's doubleheader with the U.S. national team... Beene will dress for both the CyberRays and the national team, which faces Finland following the CyberRays match with the Courage.

WASHINGTON FREEDOM: Washington ended a seven-game winless streak as well as snapping a four-game losing skid at home with a 2-1 victory over the San Jose CyberRays at RFK Stadium on Sunday... Abby Wambach recorded two assists in that match, giving the Washington rookie three assists on three Freedom goals this season... Jacqui Little became only the second player in WUSA history to score a goal versus her former club... The first to do so was Michelle French for the CyberRays in the same match... Washington will head to Atlanta this week to face the Beat in the WUSA Game of the Week on PAX TV... The Freedom has never defeated the Beat and look to take advantage of an Atlanta team that has only registered one goal this season.

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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from April 22, 2002


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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