San Diego Spirit Game Plan

Published on April 25, 2003 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


OPPONENTS' NOTES:

* CyberRays have never lost in Torero Stadium
* Brazilian forwards Katia and Pretinha will not play Sunday, as they have been called to the Brazilian National Team for South America's World Cup qualifying tournament in Peru.
* Thori Bryan has played more minutes than any WUSA player, a total of 4,155 minutes. This is the second straight season the CyberRays have started out 1-1.

THE OUTLOOK

The Spirit takes on their in-state rival San Jose CyberRays Sunday in the second home game of the young season. The Spirit will not have to face a major thorn in their side from the past two seasons as striker Katia, along with teammate Pretinha and Spirit midfielder Daniela, are in Peru with the Brazilian National Team for the South American Women's World Cup Qualifying tournament, which finished today. While the first battle of the WUSA's Brazilians in the 2003 season did not materialize, the CyberRays still bring some exciting attacking options, including hometown girl Mandy Clemens, who attended USDHS right across the street from Torero Stadium. The former Hermann Trophy winner from Santa Clara University was acquired in an off-season trade from the Philadelphia Charge, where she played the first two WUSA seasons. New acquisition Katie Barnes, who was picked up after being waived by the Carolina Courage, scored her first career WUSA goal in the CyberRays 1-0 opening day win over the Charge. Those two will have plenty of creative players behind them to feed dangerous passes as midfielders Sissi and Tisha Venturini are among the most skillful players in the WUSA.

While San Jose may be missing some attacking personalities, the defense is at full strength and extremely tough to beat. The C-Rays back line features U.S. Women's National Team legend Brandi Chastain as well as Thori Bryan, the fastest player in the league, rock-solid Kelly Lindsey, and Australian Dianne Alagich, who recently returned from her home country after helping the Matildas qualify for the 2003 Women's World Cup. Goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene, who is battling for a spot on the 2003 U.S. Women's World Cup Team, has been one the league's best over the past two seasons. Top draft choice Besty Barr will add some grit and toughness to the midfield as well.

The Spirit is 1-2-3 overall against the CyberRays with the lone win coming at San Jose in 2001. The Spirit has never beaten San Jose at Torero Stadium, losing once and tying twice, including a 2-2 draw last year that featured the Spirit's Goal of the Year off a blistering free kick by MacMillan.

SPIRIT QUICK SHOTS

* San Diego is looking for their first victory over San Jose at Torero Stadium.
* A win would put SD over the .500 mark for the first time in club history.
* With an appearance, Julie Foudy will become the club's games played leader with 42.

SATURDAY'S PRACTICE SCHEDULE AT TORERO STADIUM

* San Diego, 4 - 5 p.m.
* San Jose, 6:30 p.m.
* Please contact the Communications Department to make arrangements for interviews at either practice.

SPIRIT TICKET INFORMATION

Box Office opens at 10 a.m. on game days. Tickets still remain and are available at Ticketmaster.

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Women's United Soccer Association Stories from April 25, 2003


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