Two San Diego Spirit Internationals Called to Duty

April 15, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA)
San Diego Spirit News Release


SAN DIEGO – Along with the four U.S. Women's National Team players on the Spirit who were recently named to the USA's roster in preparation to face Nigeria on April 26, two more Spirit players will be playing for their countries this month. Forward Christine Latham was called to the Canadian National Team for two games against Nigeria on April 18 and 20 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, while 19-year-old midfielder Daniela will play for Brazil in South American Qualifying, which runs from April 23-27 in Lima, Peru. The top two teams from the four-team qualifying tournament will earn berths to the 2003 Women's World Cup in China.

Latham will join the national team today and face the Nigerians on April 18th before flying to New York to join the Spirit for their match against the Power on Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m. PT in a match televised live on PAX-TV. She will then return to South Carolina to be available for the April 20 second leg between the Super Falcons and the Canadians, giving her the possibility of playing in three games in three days, two internationals and a professional club match, a feat possibly never before achieved in women's soccer.

"I'm glad we could work it where I won't miss any games for Canada or the Spirit," said Latham. "I've got to thank (Canadian coach) Even (Pellerud) and (Spirit coach) Omid (Namazi) for being flexible. I'll be tired by the end of the three days, but I am looking forward to the challenge. The best thing is that it's my job to play soccer, so I'm just going to do my best for my club and country."

Canada qualified last November for its third Women's World Cup by virtue of finishing second to the United States at the 2002 CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup. Should Latham make the Canadian Women's World Cup Team, it would be her first world championship event.

Daniela will be available for the match against the Power and then will fly directly to Peru to join her Brazilian teammates, who face Argentina on April 23, Peru on April 25 and Colombia on April 27. Daniela will miss just one Spirit match, that coming against the San Jose CyberRays on April 27 at Torero Stadium. Latham will not miss any Spirit matches.

Should Brazil, a heavy favorite, qualify for the 2003 Women's World Cup, it would be the first Women's World Cup tournament for the young Brazilian. Daniela was playing with the Brazilian National Team in 1999 at the age of 15, but was not age-eligible for that tournament as the cut-off for the Women's World Cup is 16-years-old.

For San Diego Spirit season, mini-plan or group 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. Single-game tickets can be purchased through all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at 619-220-TIXS or online at www.ticketmaster.com.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from April 15, 2003


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