Spirit Ties Charge
June 23, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
SAN DIEGO - Despite competing with 10 players for the final 75 minutes, the San Diego Spirit snapped a four-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw against the first place Philadelphia Charge Sunday evening at Torero Stadium. Chinese international Zhang Ouying scored for San Diego while Philadelphia's lone score came courtesy of own goal from the San Diego defense.
With the draw, Philadelphia (7-1-3, 24 pts) remains in first place in the WUSA. San Diego (2-6-3, 9 pts) scored its first goal at home in 181 minutes and is now 1-0-1 this season against the Charge.
San Diego competed with 10 players after forward Mercy Akide was sent off in the 15th minute. San Diego's Sherrill Kester sent a cross into the box and Akide challenged Philadelphia goalkeeper Melissa Moore for the ball. As Moore made the save, the two players banged shoulders and then exchanged words. Akide then headbutted Moore as referee Jesse Johnson was arriving to separate the two players. Johnson promptly displayed the red card to the Nigerian international, leaving San Diego with 10 players for the final 75 minutes. Akide was starting in place of Shannon MacMillan who sat out with a right foot strain.
Philadelphia opened the scoring at the end of the second half when San Diego defender Fan Yunjie inadvertently kicked the ball into her own goal. Philadelphia's Kerry Connors broke free on the right side, cut past San Diego goalkeeper Jaime Pagliarulo and bent a ball to the far post. In a mad scramble between both teams, the ball squirted out and hit inside the left post. Fan's attempt to clear the ball went into the back of the net to put Philadelphia up 1-0 just 30 seconds before the end of the first half.
Despite missing one player, San Diego stormed back in the second half when Zhang Ouying scored her fifth goal of the season to even the score at 1-1 in the 49th minute. After Zhang slid a pass to Lori Lindsey, the rookie out of the University of Virginia drove a pass 30 yards as the fleet-footed Zhang got behind Philadelphia's defense and slotted the ball between Moore's legs from eight yards.
San Diego held tough during the second half, but Philadelphia's offense continued to pressure the depleted Spirit. The Charge's Zhao Lihong had the best scoring opportunity in the 77th minute when here shot banged off the crossbar.
Philadelphia extended its unbeaten streak to six matches with the victory. Both clubs return to action on June 29 when San Diego visits the Carolina Courage and Philadelphia hosts the Atlanta Beat.
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from June 23, 2002
- 10-Player Spirit Ties Charge, 1-1 - San Diego Spirit
- Spirit Ties Charge - WUSA
- Charge Play to 1-1 Tie Versus Spirit - Philadelphia Charge
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