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San Diego Spirit Begin Spring Training

March 3, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Spirit began their first Spring Training camp under the guidance of new head coach Omid Namazi yesterday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, the club's new practice facility. The Spirit will play six exhibition matches leading up to the April 5 season opener against the Boston Breakers at Torero Stadium.

During the duration of training camp, 27 women will compete for the 16 spots on the Spirit roster as the team prepares for opening day. An additional two reserve team roster spots and two developmental player contracts are available for the 2003 season.

National team members Joy Fawcett, Julie Foudy, Shannon MacMillan and Aly Wagner will be in Portugal from March 7-21 for the prestigious 2003 Algarve Cup tournament. Canadian international Christine Latham and Zhang Ouying of China will also be participating in the Algarve Cup. Julie Fleeting will arrive at training camp later in the month after playing for Scotland in World Cup qualifying matches. Brazilian midfielder Daniela will join the team once her work visa is processed.

The Spirit opens their preseason schedule on March 4 against the U.S. U-21's. Loyola Marymount University will play the Spirit on March 12. San Diego plays Cal-State Fullerton on March 15 and the University of Wisconsin on March 18. The team will then travel to Houston, Texas for a match against the Atlanta Beat on March 26 at Rice University's Track & Soccer Stadium. Three days later, the Spirit will face Arizona State University in Tempe.

Preseason media packets are available by contacting the Communications Department at 619-278-3186 or via email at jgreene@sdspirit.com. The annual Spirit Media Day is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, with details of the event will be announced later.

Media Training Credential Information for the U.S. Olympic Training Center

All media requests pertaining to the Spirit should be initially coordinated and confirmed with the Spirit. All media members on their first visit to the U.S. Olympic Training Center for a Spirit training session must go through the OTC credentialing process. They must first go to Athlete Check-In to receive a temporary OTC Credential that will be honored through April 5, 2003. Once a credential has been issued, they can proceed directly to the Visitor Center and can access the soccer fields from that area. OTC security will continue to check authorized media at the security gate upon re-entry to the site, so, please make sure that you show your green media credential or your entry may be delayed.

The Spirit will issue its 2003 full regular-season media credentials on April 1, these will be valid to use during training sessions for the reminder of the 2003 season.

The San Diego Spirit is a charter member of the WUSA and plays their home matches at the 7,035-seat Torero Stadium on the campus of the University of San Diego. The Spirit kicks off their third season of action on April 5, against the Boston Breakers. Kickoff is 6 p.m. PT. For 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. Single-game tickets can be purchased through all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 619-220-TIXS or online at www.ticketmaster.com.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from March 3, 2003


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