World Stars Top Americans, 3-2
Published on June 19, 2003 under Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release
CARY, N.C. (June 19, 2003) - Before the 2003 Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game, Tom Stone, the coach of the World All-Stars, joked that he had a team severely lacking in defenders. Indeed, Stone's 16-player roster featured true defenders Sharolta Nonen of the Atlanta Beat, Carolina Courage's Breanna Boyd, and that's about it.
But he also had a message for his World squad. "In the pre-game, I just said to them as international players, they bring a level of sophistication to our league that players like Brandi (Chastain) and Mia (Hamm) and Julie (Foudy) have," said Stone. "Europe has brought that to us as well in mass. I wanted them to show that to the national TV audience and to the fans here tonight."
While the World Stars would later prove the worth of Stone's words, it was the Americans who took the play to the World early.
The first good scoring chance of the day came from Tiffeny Milbrett, in the 13th minute. Milbrett's got her head on a cross from Kristine Lilly but it deflected off World defender Nonen. Julie Foudy had a crack at the World goal from 20 yards, but Karina LeBlanc, the Boston Breakers goalkeeper dove and shoved it wide.
The Americans grabbed the lead in the 29th minute on a goal by Brandi Chastain, who re-directed a Mia Hamm pass into the to the corner past LeBlanc. But the World showed its attacking flair, scoring twice before halftime. First Boston's Maren Meinert, the captain of the World team, drilled a shot to the lower corner past Briana Scurry in the American goal.
"Maren is a great player and she has a great view of the field, great passes and she had a great game today," said Breakers teammate Dagny Mellgren.
Six minutes later, the World took the 2-1 lead. Carolina's Birgit Prinz, the local favorite, took off on a 30-yard run and dished to Meinert who knocked it to Mellgren on the right side of the box. Mellgren hit a sizzling shot along the ground to the left corner.
"I don't think there's another player in this world who can shoot that ball like Dagny in the far corner," said Meinert.
The second half opened much the same way the first half did, with the Americans attacking and the World goalkeeper stopping them. However, the CyberRays LaKeysia Beene, an American but a guest goalkeeper with the World team, was in the net at the start of the second half.
Shannon Boxx, a second-half sub for Foudy, got the first crack at Beene, but her 20-yarder was steered wide. Foudy, meanwhile, sat on the American bench, chatted on ESPN2 and ate cookies delivered to her from the press box.
But again, the World's attack was back it just six minutes later. And it was Meinert again. San Jose's Katia laid back a pass for the Breakers star who nailed it into the right side of the goal past Siri Mullinix. The Americans made a tactical adjustment when coach Jim Gabarra did something he has never done before. Gabarra, the coach of the Washington Freedom, subbed Jennifer Grubb out of the game. Grubb, the Freedom's captain, has played every minute of every Freedom game - totaling 4,770 minutes. Taking advance of the special re-entry substitution rule, Gabarra sent forward Abby Wambach in for Grubb, and the World switched to a 3-4-3 formation to get, of all things, more attacking.
The move paid off in seven minutes. Milbrett hit a cross to Fotopoulos, who nailed a header from eight yards past Beene.
That's how the scoring ended at the 2003 Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game as the World won the first All-Star Game with a World-America format, 3-2.
"In our team's defense, I think we carried the play for the most part of the game, but the internationals showing their sophistication with their scoring chances and their final touch inside the box was exquisite," said American head coach Jim Gabarra.
After notching two goals and an assist, Meinert, who is tied for the league lead in points with 20 on eight goals and four assists, was named the game's MVP.
"I'm glad I had fun today - that's the most important thing. I was lucky that I could score two goals and be the MVP."
Chastain, charged with the task of keeping the international attackers in check, doesn't believe it came down for luck for Meinert.
"From a defensive standpoint, she is the kind of player who can devastate you with her passing and her goalscoring ability," Chastain said of Meinert. "She really keeps a defense off balance. I think that's why she's one of the most dangerous players in the league."
Women's United Soccer Association Stories from June 19, 2003
- World Stars Top Americans, 3-2 - WUSA
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