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Spirit Mini-Camp to Open Monday

November 1, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


SAN DIEGO - New San Diego Spirit head coach Omid Namazi will have his first chance to survey his new team during the club's Fall mini-camp at the Allen Field in La Jolla, but not the entire squad that will be under his leadership once the 2003 WUSA season begins in April, as several key players will not attend the camp. The mini-camp, which begins on Monday, November 4, 10:00 a.m. will be followed by a media opportunity at 12:00 Noon to formally introduce Namazi and general manager Dave Presher to the San Diego media. Dan Novak of Cox Communications will also be in attendance. Media are invited to come earlier to shoot B-roll if needed.

Namazi, who was hired on October 25, will oversee 17 players in his first week of duties with the team. Interim assistant coach Tom Tate will assist Namazi during the camp. Notable players that will be missing are Amy Sauer, U.S. National Team players Joy Fawcett, Julie Foudy and Shannon MacMillan, and Chinese internationals Fan Yunjie and Zhang Ouying, and Scottish international Julie Fleeting. The American trio is with the national team participating in the 2002 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup attempting to qualify for the 2003 Women's World Cup in China. Sauer is studying abroad in Italy finishing her college degree from Stanford University, while Fleeting, Fan and Zhang are back in their respective countries.

Twelve players currently on the Spirit roster will be in camp, including the newly acquired Jen Lalor and Wynne McIntosh, who will make their first appearance in Spirit gear since being obtained in a September 30 trade from the New York Power. Five non-roster invitees will also attend the camp to be evaluated for possible consideration for the 2003 roster.

"I am looking forward to getting on the field," said Namazi. "This will be a good opportunity for me to get to know the players and start instilling a new positive atmosphere that will surround this club."

The team will train daily from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 5 through Friday, November 8, and players and coaches will be available for interviews after all the trainings.

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 in April 2003. For 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.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from November 1, 2002


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