San Diego Spirit Announce 2003 Roster

Published on March 24, 2003 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Spirit met today's WUSA roster cut-down deadline by announcing its 2003 16-player active roster and two-player reserve squad. The roster, which includes nine returning veterans and seven new players, was chosen by new head coach Omid Namazi and his staff. San Diego's season opener is on Saturday, April 5, 6:00 p.m., against the Boston Breakers at Torero Stadium.

"We feel we have chosen a group of players that compliment each other well," said Namazi. "We have good depth, and with our internationals being away for many games, we feel we have enough good players to keep our play at a very high and consistent level. Players were considered based on technical ability, speed, and versatility, and we feel overall we have improved as a team in all those areas."

San Diego welcomes seven new players to the roster, including draft picks midfielder Aly Wagner and goalkeeper Jenni Branam, two international players in Brazilian midfielder Daniela and Canadian forward Christine Latham, and three WUSA veterans in midfielders Kerry Connors and Jen Nielsen, and defender Ronnie Fair. Connors and Nielsen were acquired in offseason trades; while Fair, the twin sister of U.S. National Team member Lorrie Fair, earned a roster spot in the defense, and was the only free agent to make the 16-player roster.

The Spirit, playing without eight potential starters, have a 3-0 preseason record against college teams and will face their first WUSA test against the Atlanta Beat on Wednesday, March 29, in an exhibition match in Houston, Texas. Returning to training camp for the remainder of preseason after participating in the recent Algarve Cup in Portugal are U.S. National Team players Joy Fawcett, Julie Foudy, Shannon MacMillan and Aly Wagner, and Canadian National Team member Latham. Joining the team for the first time will be Brazilian midfielder Daniela, who arrived today in San Diego from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"Now with 90% of our team here, we have to get out on the field, gel as a team and prepare ourselves for the start of the season," said Namazi.

The only two players not in camp are Scottish international Julie Fleeting and Chinese international Zhang Ouying, who are scheduled to join the Spirit later this month.

Second round draft pick midfielder Susan Bush and San Diego-bred free agent forward Allie Sullivan were named to the club's two-player reserve squad. Namazi will name his two developmental players in the next week to complete the 20-player roster.

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