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Spirit to Host USWNT vs. Japan on January 12 at Torero Stadium

November 19, 2002 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


SAN DIEGO - The U.S. Women's National Team will begin preparation for the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup in China with its first-ever full international match in San Diego, facing Japan at Torero Stadium on Sunday, January 12, 1:00 p.m. PT. Spirit fans who have seen the WUSA stars come through Torero Stadium for two seasons now have the unique opportunity to see them all together wearing the colors of the U.S. National Team.

It will be the first-ever international soccer match at Torero Stadium and is just the beginning of the benefits for San Diego soccer fans of the investment by Cox Communications to upgrade and enhance the picturesque stadium.

Release Summary

- The U.S. qualified for the 2003 Women's World Cup in the recently held CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup.

- The Japan match will be the first for the USA in 2003.

- The U.S. and Japan tied 1-1 in their last meeting on December 17, 2000.

- Spirit season ticket holders will be able to purchase tickets before November 25, prior to the general public.

Spirit season ticket holders will be able to purchase tickets before Monday, November 25, prior to them going on sale to the general public by contacting the Spirit office at 877-476-2237. Ticket prices for the match are set at $20, $30, $35, $40, $45 and $150 for the special limited VIP field-level seat and go on sale to the general public on November 25 at 9 a.m. For more information on tickets, please contact the Spirit at 877-476-2237 or Ticketmaster at 619-220-TIXS.

The USA qualified for the 2003 Women's World Cup with a 7-0 win over Costa Rica on November 6 in a semifinal match at the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup, the region's qualifying tournament. The match against Japan will kick off the USA's road to China and the Women's World Cup to be held from Sept 24-Oct. 11 in five Chinese cities.

Japan will attempt to qualify for the Women's World Cup in the spring at a site to be determined. Japan has played in all three previous Women's World Cups and is a favorite to qualify for its fourth. The U.S. holds a 13-0-1 advantage over Japan in the all-time series, but in the last meeting on December 17, 2000, the two teams drew 1-1, in Phoenix, Arizona.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for the San Diego community to see a truly special team that has blazed the trail for women's soccer and women's athletics," said Spirit general manager Dave Presher. "We're very pleased to be able to help bring this match to San Diego as a bonus for our great fans. We would like to thank our partners Cox Communications and USD for making this match possible."

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 season 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 19, 2002


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