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San Diego Spirit Game Plan v Philadelphia

June 5, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


OPPONENTS' NOTES:

* Marinette Pichon registered her sixth career multiple-goal game after scoring two goals versus Carolina on Saturday, May 31. Pichon has scored five goals in the Charge's last four games.

* Midfielder Stacey Tullock notched her team-leading fourth assist of the 2003 season on May 31. In three matches versus the Spirit, she has tallied a goal.

* Midfielder Melanie Hoffmann (1g, 3a, 5 pts.) registered her third assist of the season versus Carolina. This will be Hoffmann's first meeting with San Diego.

* Despite allowing 18 goals (second most in the WUSA), the Charge has allowed the fewest shots against (69)... Philadelphia ranks sixth in team offense (1.43 goals per game) and seventh in team defense (2.57 goals per game).

THE OUTLOOK

The Philadelphia Charge come to San Diego tonight for the first and only time this season. The game is the first of a home-and-home series between the clubs. The pre-season favorites to win the WUSA championship have fallen on some hard times early in the campaign, but still boast one of the most talented attacking players in the world in Frenchwoman Marinette Pichon, the 2002 WUSA MVP. Pichon led France to its first-ever Women's World Cup berth, defeating England in a home-and-home playoff series, and she will try to lead Les Bleus into the second round during the tournament that will be played in the United States from late September to early October. Count on Pichon, one of the top stars in the WUSA, to bring her vast goal-scoring talents to the world's stage this fall. The Charge will likely be without talented English international Kelly Smith, who is on the back end of her rehabilitation for a torn meniscus, and also lost forward Deliah Arrington for the season with a torn ACL, putting even more pressure on Pichon to score goals. The Charge defense, one of the best in the league last season, still boasts some talented players in outside backs Heather Mitts and Southern Californian Jenny Benson, two of the best attacking defenders in the league, as well as Jen Tietjen-Prozzo, a rock solid center back. In goal, the Charge have an interesting mix of Melissa Moore, the starter for the first two years - both playoff runs - and first-round draft choice Hope Solo, the top young goalkeeper in the country. The two have been battling for playing time this season and either one could start tonight. The Charge have not received much production from two of its internationals in Czech Pavlina Scasna, who has been injured for most of the year, and skillful German Melanie Hoffmann, but both are dangerous attacking players whose support of Pichon from the midfield is desperately needed.

2003 INDIVIDUAL SPIRIT STREAKS FLEETING...has a goal in 4 of 6 games...has multi-pts in 4 of 6 games...has a point in 5 games...has an assist in 1 game...has a goal in 2 of 3 road games...has points in 3 road games. FOUDY...has a goal in 2 games...has a PK in 2 games...has multi-pts. in 2 games... has an assist in 1 of 3 games...has a point in 3 of 4 games. PAGLIARULO ... is unbeaten in 6 games...has won 1 of 2 games ZHANG...has an assist in 1 of 2 games...has points in 1 of 2 games.

STAT BREAKDOWN Spirit Charge
GOALS FOR: 11 10
GOALS AGAINST: 8 18
SHOTS: 111 71
LEADING SCORER: Fleeting, 9 pts. Pichon, 11 pts.
STREAK: Unbeaten 7 Tied 1

SPIRIT QUICK SHOTS...A victory would:

* Put San Diego three games over the .500 mark for the first time.

* Give San Diego a club record eight-game unbeaten streak.

* Give San Diego a four-game home-unbeaten streak.

FRIDAY's TRAINING SCHEDULES

* Philadelphia Charge Interview Opportunities at 4:30 p.m., Torero Stadium

* San Diego Spirit Interview Opportunities at 5:45 p.m., Torero Stadium

* The Fair twins, Ronnie (San Diego) & Lorrie (Philly), will be available for interview opportunities at 4:30 p.m. at Torero Stadium.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from June 5, 2003


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