Spirit Falls to Freedom, 2-0, at RFK Stadium

July 26, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


WASHINGTON, D.C. - The San Diego Spirit lost a bit more ground in the race for the WUSA playoffs, losing 2-0 to the Washington Freedom as U.S. Women's National Team stars Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm scored at the end of the first and second halves respectively. The Spirit falls to 6-6-7 (25 points) and into a tie for fourth place with the New York Power, which drew 1-1 with the first-place Atlanta Beat today. The Freedom moved into second place and is 8-6-4 (28 points) on the season.

The Spirit and New both have two matches remaining, but San Diego holds the tiebreaker over the Power after beating them twice this year. The Carolina Courage are just one point behind San Diego and New York, but have four games left to play. The San Jose CyberRays have 20 points, but have five matches left to play.

The Spirit plays its final two matches at home, against Carolina on Aug. 3 (5 p.m. PT) and Washington on Aug. 9 (1 p.m. PT), in must-win games to secure a place in the WUSA's top four and thus a playoff spot.

The Spirit faced Washington without leading scorer Julie Fleeting who suffered a knock on her head against New York last Wednesday and could not go tonight. Washington had more chances on the evening, but the Spirit still had plenty of quality opportunities to score. In the 14th minute, Aly Wagner served the ball perfectly to Christine Latham at the top of the penalty area, but with just Washington goalkeeper Siri Mullinix to beat, Latham shot wide left.

The first Freedom goal came in the 40th minute as Spirit goalkeeper Jaime Pagliarulo hit a short goal kick that Mia Hamm cut off and one-touched a volley to Abby Wambach, who took two dribbles and slotted it past Pagliarulo from 10 yards out.

In the 58th minute, Wambach got behind the Spirit defense while chasing a bouncing ball. Pagliarulo came out and tried to punch it away, but instead punched the big striker in the head and a penalty kick was called. Pagliarulo made amends, saving Jen Grubb's powerful kick with a dive to her left.

The Spirit pushed forward at the end of the game and created several chances to tie. Kerry Connors had four shots in the last 10 minutes, but none better than an open chance from 13 yards out after taking a pass of her chest, but she hit her volley right at Mullinix.

The Spirit had another chance as a cross came from the left and Mullinix punched the ball off Latham's head. The ball rebounded Zhang Ouying on the right edge of the penalty box, but her cross back into the middle hit the crossbar and skimmed over.

With the Spirit pushing forward, the Freedom countered for their final goal. A ball was played through to Wambach and Branam rushed out and made the save, but was out of the penalty box. Hamm, who had her breakaway denied by Branam just minutes earlier, put the free kick into the right corner of the net.

It was the second time this season that the Spirit have given up a goal in stoppage time in a 2-0 loss, the other time being against Atlanta on July 9.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from July 26, 2003


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