Women's World Cup Headed to US

May 26, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release

ATLANTA (Monday, May 26, 2003) - The nearly 50 WUSA players who are expected to compete in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup will not have far to go as FIFA and U.S. Soccer announced today that the quadrennial tournament will be played in the United States later this year. Today's announcement comes after the May 3 decision by the FIFA Executive Committee to transfer the Women's World Cup from China to another country due to the current health threat of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

The 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup will feature 16 nations. The majority of those countries will feature WUSA players in key roles. A look at the current status of World Cup teams follows:

WHO'S IN THE WORLD CUP? [13 of 16 decided]
China - former host country
Canada, United States - CONCACAF - (North America, Central America and the Caribbean)
Russia, France, Sweden, Germany, Norway - UEFA (Europe)
Australia - OFC (Oceania)
Ghana, Nigeria - CAF (Africa)
Brazil, Argentina - CONMEBOL (South America)

3 SPOTS REMAIN - 2 will be decided by the Asian qualifying tournament in June at Bangkok, Thailand. - Final berth will be decided in a playoff between Mexico (CONACAF 3rd place team) and the nation that finishes third in the Asian qualifying tournament

The 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup made household names out of players such as Brandi Chastain, Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Briana Scurry and Tiffeny Milbrett. The 2003 World Cup is expected to provide a platform for many new stars to showcase their skills, not only for the U.S. team, but also for the other 15 competing nations. And don't forget that Brandi, Mia, Julie, Briana and Tiffeny are all expected back for the USA. In fact, the World Cup will likely be the last time fans will see veteran U.S. stars playing for their country in a tournament on American soil. Many U.S. national team veterans are expected to retire from international play following the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.

The previous Women's World Cups were played in China in 1991 (won by the U.S.), in Sweden in 1995 (won by Norway) and in the USA in 1999 (won by the U.S.). In addition there have been two Olympic Soccer Tournaments (won by the U.S. at home in 1996 and by Norway in Australia in 2000).

Soccer fans will be able to catch many of the players who will compete in the Women's World Cup by attending the Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game on June 19 at 7:30 pm ET. The game will feature the World Stars vs. American Stars and will be televised on ESPN2.

SAN DIEGO EXTENDS UNBEATEN STREAK TO SIX GAMES: Following two seasons where the San Diego Spirit watched the playoffs from home, Julie Foudy and company set their sights set on a berth in the WUSA postseason in 2003. Owners of the league's longest current unbeaten streak at six games, San Diego (3-1-3, 12 pts., 3rd place) is in early position to land one of the WUSA's four coveted playoff berths.

After losing their first game of the season, San Diego has gone 3-0-3 and is two games above .500 for the first time ever. The loss of All-Star Shannon MacMillan to a season-ending knee injury on May 18 left a void in the Spirit attack, but Saturday's 2-1 win at Carolina saw other players step up in MacMillan's absence. Rookie midfielder Aly Wagner, the top pick in the 2003 WUSA Draft, scored the game-winning goal (her first as a pro) to lead the way.

"This was by far her best performance of the year," said San Diego Head Coach Omid Namazi said of Wagner's play against Carolina. "It ended with a goal, she turned on her defender and then cracked it. It was a great goal, but I thought her overall play, as well, was better. She was more involved in the play, got the ball and knocked it around, and got it back. The more she's involved in our buildup, the better she's gonna show.

In addition to Wagner, Scottish forward Julie Fleeting continued her stellar play for the Spirit. Although her goal streak ended at four games, she tied a club mark on Saturday as her assist extended her point streak to five games. Fleeting leads the WUSA with 19 shots on goal. In fact, the Spirit is tied for first in the WUSA (with Atlanta) with 47 shots on goal.

WASHINGTON'S MIA HAMM "EN FUEGO": She is the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, but Mia Hamm is having her best season in years as the world's all-time leading scorer is atop the WUSA's scoring charts with six goals and four assists for 16 points. Hamm tallied two goals and registered an assist in the Freedom's 4-0 blanking of New York Saturday night on the road at Mitchel Athletic Complex.

Her 16 points eclipse her point total from the 2001 season. Last season, she sat out the first 10 games after knee surgery and finished with eight goals and six assists for 22 points in a part-time role. Following an intense offseason conditioning program in Arizona, the 31-year-old Hamm has scored in five of six games WUSA games this year. Her only match without a goal was the April 26 game when she played just 27 minutes. Earlier that day, Hamm had played 63 minutes in the first game of a doubleheader that saw the Freedom follow the U.S. vs. Canada match. In her other five matches, Hamm has played all but nine minutes. In addition to leading the WUSA in points, Hamm is tied for first in goals, corner kicks, points per game and goals per game. However, her 13 shots do not rank in the WUSA's top 10, but nine of those 13 shots have been on goal. Hamm's most important stat is the fact that Washington is in first place in the WUSA with a 5-1-1 (16 pts.) record (5-0-1 with Hamm in the lineup).

BOSTON'S HOME STREAK ENDS AT 13: After going 5-0-5 at home last season and starting the 2003 campaign 1-0-1, the Boston Breakers finally had their home unbeaten streak snapped on Sunday, May 25 when the Atlanta Beat downed Kristine Lilly and company 3-1.The loss was Boston's first at home since Aug. 5, 2001 (vs. San Diego).

"We talked about that this week, about how they've gone 13 straight games without a loss, but we hadn't been here since the opening game of last year," said Atlanta Head Coach Tom Stone. "We wanted to be the team that stopped the streak. You look for little things to take aim at and that was one of the things that stuck out."

FRENCH TO BE ON WUSA.COM CHAT THIS WEEK: San Jose defender Michelle French will be the featured guest on this week's WUSA.com live web chat on Tuesday, May 27. The chat will begin at 8:00 p.m. (ET)/5:00 p.m. (PT) and will last approximately 30 minutes. French will be on hand to answer fan questions. Fans can submit questions before and during the chat. For more information, log on to www.WUSA.com.

WUSA Game Previews (Week Nine)

Saturday, May 31, 2003 - San Jose CyberRays at Boston Breakers - 4:00 p.m. (ET) - PAX TV (National Broadcast); (Season Series: First meeting) (All-time Series History: Series tied 2-2-2)

San Jose moved into a tie for third place (with San Diego) after defeating the Philadelphia Charge 2-0 at Villanova Stadium on Saturday, May 24. The victory was the first ever for the CyberRays at Villanova Stadium (1-1-2 all-time). Boston had its WUSA-record 13-game regular season unbeaten streak snapped with a 3-1 loss to the Atlanta Beat on Sunday, May 25. The loss was the first suffered at Nickerson Field since August 5, 2001 (1-0 loss to San Diego). The last meeting between these two clubs resulted in a 1-0 victory for the Breakers on August 10, 2002 at Nickerson Field. With that victory, Boston finished the 2002 season undefeated at home (5-0-5).

Key Players to Watch: San Jose's Pretinha (3g, 1a, 7 pts. - tied for 12th among WUSA scoring leaders) registered her first career multiple-goal game in the WUSA after scoring two goals versus the Charge on May 24. Pretinha has recorded two goals versus Boston all-time (six matches). Midfielder Sissi (1g, 4a, 6 pts. - tied for 16th among WUSA scoring leaders) notched her team-leading fourth assist of the 2003 season during San Jose's victory over Philadelphia on May 24. The Brazilian playmaker has registered more assists (5) versus the Breakers (six meetings) than any other team during her WUSA career. Goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene (4-3-0, 0.86 GAA) recorded her 15th career shutout in San Jose's 2-0 win over Philadelphia. Beene became the first WUSA goalkeeper to tally 200 saves for her career following that match. Boston's Maren Meinert (6g, 3a, 15 pts. - tied for 2nd among WUSA scoring leaders) notched a point in her sixth consecutive game with her third assist of the 2003 season on May 25. In five meetings all-time with San Jose, Meinert has registered a goal and two assists for four points (five matches). Forward Dagny Mellgren (5g, 1a, 11 pts. - tied for 5th among WUSA scoring leaders) extended her goal scoring streak to three games with her fifth goal of the 2003 season during the 38th minute of the 3-1 loss to Atlanta on May 25. Mellgren ranks second all-time in goal scoring in the WUSA with 27 (behind New York's Tiffeny Milbrett - 29). Midfielder Kristine Lilly (3a, 3 pts.) needs two more assists to become the first player in WUSA history to record 30 assists. San Jose is the only team in which Lilly has never recorded an assist against (4g, 8 pts. in five matches).

Key Matchup: (San Jose defender Brandi Chastain versus Boston forward Maren Meinert) Meinert is tied for second in the WUSA in goals with six and third in points with 14. Neither of the players ranked ahead of her, Washington forward Mia Hamm and Atlanta forward Maribel Dominguez have scored this season against Chastain and the CyberRays defense the run of play.

The "Inside Scoop": The Breakers' only defeat at the hands of San Jose at Nickerson Field took place on July 15, 2001 (2-0) - the team's first visit to Boston. Neither team has an edge in the all-time series history (2-2-2). The worst road team in the WUSA in 2002 (1-5-4), San Jose has already surpassed last season's road win total with two. Both clubs are off to their best starts in team history. The Brazilian trio of Katia, Sissi and Pretinha has scored the last five goals for the CyberRays. Boston's "Big 3" (Mellgren, Meinert and Lilly) has been responsible for 68 percent of the Breakers' total offense versus San Jose all-time (6 goals, 5 assists, 17 points).

They Said it: "I think Boston is a very talented team. They can attack you from all over field. We want to try to build some momentum with this game, but it will be a very, very physical game for us on artificial turf." - San Jose CyberRays Head Coach Ian Sawyers on Boston.

Referee: Erich Simmons. Assistant Referees: Bahij Salman, Niko Bratsis. 4th Official: Claudiu Badea.

Saturday, May 31, 2003 - Carolina Courage at Philadelphia Charge - 7:00 p.m. (ET) - No TV; (Season Series: First Meeting) (All-time Series History: Philadelphia leads 5-1-0)

Carolina dropped its fourth straight home match with a 2-1 loss to San Diego on May 24 at SAS Stadium. At 1-5-0 Carolina is off to its worst start in club history. Philadelphia was unable to find the back of the net versus San Jose as the Charge fell to the CyberRays 2-0 on May 24 at Villanova Stadium. The loss was the first ever to San Jose at Villanova Stadium for the Charge. The last meeting between these two teams resulted in a 2-0 victory for the Charge at Villanova Stadium on July 20, 2002. With the win, Philadelphia swept the season series and extended its unbeaten streak to 10 games (then WUSA record).

Key Players to Watch: Carolina's Danielle Fotopoulos (4g, 5a, 13 pts. - 4th among WUSA scoring leaders) registered her fourth goal of the 2003 season in the 2-1 loss to San Diego on May 24. "Fotop" ranks second all-time in WUSA scoring (24g, 21a, 69 pts.) behind New York's Tiffeny Milbrett (71 points). Forward Birgit Prinz (3g, 1a, 7 pts. - tied for 12th among WUSA scoring leaders) will return to the Courage lineup after being called to German national team duty.

Prinz will be looking to score her first career WUSA goal versus the Charge (the only team which she has yet to find the back of the net against). Midfielder Unni Lehn (3a, 3 pts.) has registered three assists in Carolina's last two matches. The Norwegian international will look for her first career WUSA point versus the Charge. Philadelphia forward Marinette Pichon (3g, 1a, 7 pts. - tied for 12th among WUSA scoring leaders) was held scoreless versus the CyberRays (the only WUSA team Pichon has yet to record a point against) for the third time after the loss to San Jose on May 24. Pichon has tallied five goals for 10 points versus Carolina all-time (three matches). Midfielder Stacey Tullock (1g, 3a, 5 pts.) leads the Charge with three assists this season. With five points in 2003, Tullock has already surpassed her 2002 point total (4). Goalkeeper Hope Solo (1-1-0, 1.50 GAA) made her second career WUSA start on May 24. The fourth overall pick in the 2003 WUSA Draft will look to face Carolina for the first time in her WUSA career.

Key Matchup: (Carolina forwards Danielle Fotopoulos and Birgit Prinz versus Philadelphia defenders Jenny Benson and Heather Mitts) Despite having limited success versus Philadelphia in the past, Carolina's scoring tandem of Prinz and Fotopoulos will look to take advantage of the seventh rated defense in the WUSA (2.67 goals per game). Prinz and "Fotop" have combined for seven goals in 2003 (one less than the entire Philadelphia roster). However, Benson and Mitts have been able to hold the Courage forwards in check, holding them to just two goals all-time versus the Charge.

The "Inside Scoop": The top two teams from last season are struggling at the beginning of the 2003 season. A combined 2-10-0, neither team has been able to record a victory at home. Due to injuries and national team call-ups this season, the Charge has not been able to field the same lineup in consecutive games. The Charge has never lost to Courage all-time at Villanova Stadium (0-3-0), outscoring Carolina 10-1.

They Said it: "Carolina is a dangerous team. Prinz is one of the best players in the world and she is a tremendous finisher. Like all other games, we have to concentrate on keeping our defensive form and on the attack we have to work together." - Philadelphia Charge Head Coach Mark Krikorian on Carolina.

Referee: Misail Tsapos. Assistant Referees: Kelly Lee, Stanford Nagle. 4th Official: Adam Smeltz.

Saturday, May 31, 2003 - Atlanta Beat at San Diego Spirit - 9:00 p.m. (ET) - CSS (Atlanta - possible tape delay - 10:00 p.m. ET); Cox 4 (San Diego - tape delay at approx. 1:00 a.m. ET) (Season Series: Series tied 0-0-1) (All-time Series History: Atlanta leads 3-2-2)

Atlanta moved into sole possession of second place in the WUSA standings with a 3-1 victory over Boston on Sunday, May 25 at Nickerson Field. The Beat became the first team since San Diego (August 5, 2001) to defeat the Breakers on their home turf. San Diego recorded its first ever win at Carolina with a 2-1 victory over the Courage on Saturday, May 24 at SAS Stadium. With the victory, San Diego is off to its best start (3-1-3) in team history. The last meeting between these two teams resulted in a 1-1 tie on May 10, 2003 at Herndon Stadium. San Diego's Julie Fleeting got the Spirit on the board first in the 67th minute; however, Atlanta's Maribel Dominguez tallied the equalizer in the 75th minute.

Key Players to Watch: Atlanta's Dominguez (6g, 3a, 15 pts. - tied for 2nd among WUSA scoring leaders) registered her third assist of the season during the Beat's 3-1 victory over Boston on May 25. Dominguez is third in the WUSA in points per game with 2.14. Forward Charmaine Hooper (3g, 5a, 11 pts. - tied for 5th among WUSA scoring leaders) notched two goals and an assist versus Boston on May 25. In six meetings with the Spirit all-time, Hooper has recorded three goals for six points. Midfielder Homare Sawa (3g, 2a, 8 pts. - tied for 9th among WUSA scoring leaders) tallied a goal and an assist versus Boston on May 25. Sawa has had more success versus San Diego than any other Beat player, scoring three goals and two assists in seven matches (all-time). San Diego's Fleeting (4g, 1a, 9 pts. - 8th among WUSA scoring leaders) registered her first assist of the 2003 season on May 24 versus Carolina. Fleeting has recorded two goals in three matches all-time versus Atlanta. Midfielder Julie Foudy (1g, 1a, 3 pts.) notched the first goal in San Diego history at SAS Stadium with a converted penalty kick in the 45th minute on May 24. In seven matches versus the Beat (all-time), Foudy has notched a goal and an assist. Goalkeeper Jaime Pagliarulo (3-1-2, 1.00 GAA) won her 10th career WUSA match with San Diego's 2-1 victory over Carolina. "Pags" is unbeaten in her last five starts (3-0-2).

Key Matchup: (Atlanta defender Sharolta Nonen versus San Diego forward Julie Fleeting) Fleeting has recorded a point in five consecutive games, including a goal versus the Beat on May 10, 2003. Nonen anchors the top rated defense in the WUSA, allowing 0.57 goals per game. Fleeting has registered two goals in three meeting versus the Beat and will be looking to add to her total. Nonen and the Atlanta defense have faced seven of the top 10 goal scorers in the WUSA and have held them to just two goal during the 2003 season.

The "Inside Scoop": The series between these two teams in tied at 1-1-1 all-time at Torero Stadium. Atlanta has won two straight matches to move into second place in the WUSA standings. San Diego, unbeaten in its last five matches, is right on the Beat's heels, tied for third in the WUSA standings. Atlanta holds the WUSA's all-time best road record at 11-8-4 (.565). The Spirit is 8-8-8 (.500) all-time at Torero Stadium.

They Said it: "Atlanta is probably the deepest team in the league and we have to play at our best to beat them. Anytime we play them it's going to be a battle, it was in the preseason and it was a few weeks ago in Atlanta in a game that easily could have gone either way. We have to try to match their physical play and if we do that, we might be able to get a good result." - San Diego Spirit Head Coach Omid Namazi on Atlanta.

Referee: Sandra Hunt. Assistant Referees: Bryan Elliott, Kia Dehpanah. 4th Official: Raymundo Prisco.

TEAM INJURY REPORTS AS OF 05/26/03
ATLANTA BEAT: QUESTIONABLE - M Nikki Serlenga (R hip flexor).
BOSTON BREAKERS: OUT -GK Tracy Ducar (tendonitis in both knees); M Devvyn Hawkins (L foot stress fracture).
CAROLINA COURAGE: OUT - M Hege Riise (R ACL tear).
NEW YORK POWER: No league games this week (Bye Week).
PHILADELPHIA CHARGE: OUT - F Kelly Smith (R meniscus tear); M Pavlina Scasna (L foot tendonitis); F Deliah Arrington (R ACL tear).
SAN DIEGO SPIRIT: F Shannon MacMillan (R ACL tear).
SAN JOSE CYBERRAYS: OUT - D Dianne Alagich (L knee sprain).
WASHINGTON FREEDOM: No league games this week (Bye Week)

NATIONAL TEAM DUTY AS OF 05/26/03
ATLANTA BEAT: None.
BOSTON BREAKERS: None.
CAROLINA COURAGE: None.
NEW YORK POWER: None.
PHILADELPHIA CHARGE: None.
SAN DIEGO SPIRIT: None.
SAN JOSE CYBERRAYS: None.
WASHINGTON FREEDOM: None.

suspension Summary 05/26/03

Player Team Suspension Reason
None.

Warning Summary 05/26/03

Player Team Reason
None.

TEAM-BY-TEAM NOTES

atlanta beat: On Sunday, May 25, Atlanta became the first team since San Diego (August 5, 2001) to defeat the Boston Breakers at home... Forward Charmaine Hooper recorded two goals and an assist to lead the Beat to a 3-1 victory over Boston at Nickerson Field... Midfielder Homare Sawa tallied the third goal of the match as well as an assist on Hooper's first goal of the match... Rookie Maribel Dominguez and forward Cindy Parlow each tallied an assist in the match... Dominguez is tied for second among the WUSA scoring leaders with 15 points (6 goals, 3 assists)... The Mexican international leads the WUSA in total shots (26) and ranks third in points per game (2.14)... Goalkeeper Briana Scurry recorded her fourth victory of the season on May 25... Scurry is second all-time in WUSA victories with 22... Scurry leads the league in goals against average (0.57) and save percentage (86.7)... Atlanta owns the league's best road record all-time 11-8-4 (.565)...Hooper and defender Sharolta Nonen led the Canadian national team to a pair of 4-0 victories over England last week (May 19 and May 22)... Atlanta ranks second in team offense (2.43 goals per game) and is first in team defense (0.57 goals per game).

Boston breakers: Boston had its WUSA-record 13-game home unbeaten streak snapped with a 3-1 loss to Atlanta on Sunday, May 25... The loss was the first for the Breakers at home since August 5, 2001 (2-0 loss to San Diego)... Forward Dagny Mellgren notched her fifth goal of the season during Sunday's loss... Mellgren has recorded 27 goals during her WUSA career (two behind WUSA all-time leading scorer Tiffeny Milbrett - 29)... Forward Maren Mienert registered her third assist of the 2003 season on Mellgren's goal... Meinert has scored a goal or notched an assist in the last six games... Meinert and Mellgren have recorded 11 of the 13 goals scored by the Breakers this season... Defender Heather Aldama also registered an assist on Mellgren's goal (her first of the 2003 season)... Goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc recorded her ninth international shutout as Canada defeated England 4-0 on May 22... Boston is tied for fourth in team offense (1.63 goals per game) and ranks fifth in team defense (2.13 goals per game).

carolina courage: Carolina dropped its fourth straight home match with a 2-1 loss to San Diego on Saturday, May 24 at SAS Stadium... Forward Danielle Fotopoulos registered her fourth goal of the season in that match... Fotopoulos ranks fourth among WUSA scoring leaders in 2003 (4g, 5a, 13 pts.) and is second all-time in scoring with 69 points (24g, 21a)... Midfielder Unni Lehn notched an assist on Fotopoulos' goal on May 24... Lehn has recorded three assists in Carolina's last two matches... Striker Birgit Prinz will return from Germany this week after helping her national team to a draw and win in two friendly matches against Denmark... Prinz scored once in Germany's 1-1 tie on Thursday, May 22 and three times in Sunday's (May 25) 6-2 romp... Carolina ranks third in team offense (1.67 goals per game) and sixth in team defense (2.50 goals per game).

new york power: New York fell to the Washington Freedom 4-0 on Saturday, May 24 at Mitchel Athletic Complex... The Power has never defeated the Freedom at home... New York is 0-4-0 all-time versus Washington at Mitchel Athletic Complex... The loss was the second straight for the Power... Forward Tiffeny Milbrett extended her scoreless streak at home to 14 matches... The last goal at home for Milbrett was scored on July 26, 2001... The Power is off this weekend, but will play the Freedom again on Saturday, May 31 in a friendly in Rochester, N.Y... New York is tied for fourth in team offense (1.63 goals per game) and is eighth in team defense (2.88 goals per game).

philadelphia charge: Philadelphia dropped its second straight home match to start the season with a 2-0 loss to San Jose on Saturday, May 24 at Villanova Stadium... The loss was the first ever for the Charge versus the CyberRays at Villanova Stadium (1-1-2 all-time)... With the shutout, San Jose remains the only team that Marinette Pichon has not recorded a point against during her WUSA career... The Charge held the league's best home winning percentage (71-13, .727) in 2002 yet is winless at Villanova Stadium (0-2-0) in 2003... Due to injuries and national team call-ups, Philadelphia has not been able to field the same lineup in consecutive games this season... Philadelphia ranks seventh in team offense (1.33 goals per game) and seventh in team defense (2.67 goals per game)... Philadelphia's defense ranked first (1.05 goals per game) during the 2002 season.

san diego spirit: San Diego extended its unbeaten streak to six games with a 2-1 victory over Carolina on Saturday, May 24 at SAS Stadium... Rookie midfielder Aly Wagner notched the first goal of her WUSA career (the game winner) in the 78th minute... Forward Julie Fleeting and midfielder Zhang Ouying were credited with assists on Wagner's goal... Fleeting's assist extended her point scoring streak to five games... Midfielder Julie Foudy got the Spirit on the board with a penalty kick goal in the 45th minute... Foudy's goal was the first-ever scored by San Diego at SAS Stadium... Goalkeeper Jaime Pagliarulo won her 10th career WUSA game on Saturday, May 24... "Pags" is unbeaten in her last five starts (3-0-2)... San Diego is now 12-1-5 lifetime when scoring first... Forward Christine Latham registered a goal in Canada's 4-0 victory over England on Thursday, May 22... San Diego ranks sixth in team offense (1.43 goals per game) and third in team defense (1.00 goal per game).

san jose cyberrays: San Jose won its first-ever match at Villanova Stadium with a 2-0 victory over Philadelphia on Saturday, May 24... Forward Pretinha registered her first career multiple-goal game, scoring both goals of the match... Midfielder Sissi notched her fourth assist of the 2003 season during that match... Sissi leads the WUSA with two game-winning assists in 2003 and holds the all-time mark with 10... Forwards Katie Barnes, Mandy Clemens and defender Brandi Chastain also recorded assists during the match... San Jose's Brazilian trio of Katia, Sissi and Pretinha has accounted for more than half of the team's goals (5 of 8) and total points (17 of 30)... Goalkeeper LaKeysia Beene notched her third shutout of the 2003 season in the CyberRays win over the Charge... Beene is second all-time behind Atlanta's Briana Scurry (16) in career shutouts with 15... Beene recorded two saves on May 24 to become the first WUSA goalkeeper to tally 200 saves... With a start this weekend, defender Thori Bryan will become the first player in WUSA history to start 50 matches... Both Bryan and Sissi will make their 50th appearance in a WUSA match this weekend... San Jose ranks eighth in team offense (1.14 goals per game) and second in team defense (0.86 goals per game).

washington freedom: The Washington Freedom extended its regular season road winning streak to seven games (dating back to June 29, 2002) after defeating the New York Power 4-0 on Saturday, May 24 at Mitchel Athletic Complex... With the win, the Freedom remains undefeated versus the Power in Uniondale, N.Y. (4-0-0 all-time)... Forward Mia Hamm registered two goals and an assist to lead the Freedom over the Power... Hamm is the league's leading scorer with 16 points (6g, 4a)... Hamm notched her fourth penalty kick goal during the 4-0 victory (a WUSA single season record)... Hamm is the all-time leader in penalty kick goals with six... Defender Lindsay Stoecker recorded her second goal of the season on May 24... Defender Casey Zimny rounded out the Freedom scoring with her first career WUSA goal in the 89th minute... Forward Abby Wambach tied the WUSA record for assist in a match with three versus New York (7 times)... Goalkeeper Siri Mullinix recorded her fifth win and second shutout of the 2003 season... Mullinix is unbeaten in 12 consecutive regular season matches, dating back to June 22, 2002 (3-1 loss to Carolina)... Washington has the week off, but will play the New York Power in an exhibition in Rochester, N.Y. on Saturday, May 31... Washington ranks first in team offense (2.57 goals per game) and fourth in team defense (1.29 goals per game).

• Discuss this story on the Women's United Soccer Association message board...

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

• U.S. will host World Cup, Spartan among possible sites - San Jose CyberRays
• Beat Snaps Boston's Streak, Prepares to Face San Diego on Saturday - Atlanta Beat
• Women's World Cup Headed to US - WUSA
• Hamm Named Player of the Week - WUSA

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.