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WUSA Announces Six Award Winners

August 19, 2003 - Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) News Release


ATLANTA (Tuesday, August 19, 2003) - With Founders Cup III (live on ESPN2 at 4:00 p.m. ET from San Diego's Torero Stadium) just five days away and the anticipation of crowning a new WUSA champion grows, the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) announced today the recipients of the Coach of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Goal of the Year, Humanitarian of the Year and Referee of the Year.

Coach of the Year - Pia Sundhage - Boston Breakers

Boston Breakers Head Coach Pia Sundhage was the recipient of the 2003 WUSA Coach of the Year award. In her first season as head coach of the Breakers, Sundhage led Boston to the 2003 WUSA Regular Season Title, tallying a 10-4-7 record. The former Philadelphia Charge assistant turned one of the worst road teams during the 2002 WUSA season (1-8-2) into the most successful visiting clubs during the 2003 campaign (5-2-3).

Sundhage, 43, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, is considered one of the world's all-time great female soccer players. She was sixth in the voting for the FIFA Woman Player of the Century. Sundhage played for 21 years with Sweden's national team, earning 146 caps and scoring 71 goals. Prior to coming to the United States in 2001, she coached in her native Sweden at the club level and with Sweden's Under-20, Under-18 and Under-16 women's national teams.

The WUSA Coach of the Year award goes to the head coach that has developed a team that has performed to exceptional levels and demonstrated an attractive and engaging style of play during the regular season. WUSA coaches, general managers, players and members of the media voted for the Coach of the Year.

Goalkeeper of the Year - Briana Scurry - Atlanta Beat

After two seasons as one of the three finalists for the WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year award, Atlanta Beat goalkeeper Briana Scurry captured the honor in 2003. The Minneapolis, MN product led all WUSA goalkeepers in goals against average (0.95), shutouts (7) and save percentage (79.5). Her outstanding performance in goal was instrumental in the Beat becoming the first team to average less than one goal per game during a season (0.90).

The league's all-time leader in goals against average (1.03), winning percentage (.600) and shutouts (20), Scurry was instrumental in Atlanta clinching home-field advantage in the 2003 Playoffs. Recording 70 saves during the 2003 campaign, Scurry helped lead Atlanta to a league-best seven victories at home. After giving up three goals versus Carolina on July 4, the 5-foot-8 Scurry put together a string of three consecutive shutouts (2-0-1) to lead the Beat into the playoff stretch run.

The Goalkeeper of the Year is an annual award given to the player who regularly exemplifies outstanding saves and consistently controls her penalty area and defensive zone. She repeatedly demonstrates the ability to come up with key saves during the game. Nominees were not restricted by statistics. Key saves in important games are a trademark of this goalkeeper, although, the team's success is not an overvalued factor in this award. WUSA coaches, general managers, players and members of the media each cast votes for this award.

Rookie of the Year - Christine Latham - San Diego Spirit

Christine Latham proved that first-year players can make an immediate impact in the WUSA as the San Diego Spirit forward earned the 2003 WUSA Rookie of the Year award. The 21-year-old Latham finished tied for 12th in the WUSA in scoring (6g, 3a, 15 pts.) in 2003 to help the Spirit to its first-ever playoff berth. The Canadian national team standout began playing her best soccer toward the end of the regular season when she started to creatively take on players and generate scoring opportunities.

Finishing second on San Diego's roster in scoring, Latham recorded the third highest goal total in Spirit history. The University of Nebraska product Latham had her most successful month during month of July, recording four goals in six games, including her first career WUSA two-goal performance (July 2 at San Jose). In the Spirit's final match of the 2003 WUSA regular season, Latham notched a goal and an assist to lead San Diego to a 2-1 victory over Washington, clinching the third seed in the 2003 Playoffs.

The Rookie of the Year goes to the player judged by WUSA coaches, general managers, players and members of the media to be the best first-year player who has no prior playing experience at the Division I professional level and/or has completed her college or high school eligibility within the last year.

Goal of the Year - Abby Wambach - Washington Freedom, July 19th vs. New York

In the 80th minute, Washington forward Mia Hamm sent a free kick from approximately 25 yards toward goal. As the ball dipped into the area, Wambach, just outside of the six-yard box, connected with the ball. With her entire body in mid-air and her momentum pulling her from right to left across the net, Wambach redirected Hamm's free kick with her head, toward near post, leaving New York goalkeeper Saskia Webber with no chance to make a play on the shot. Fans selected the WUSA Goal of the Year by voting on WUSA.com.

Humanitarian of the Year - Jenny Benson - Philadelphia Charge

Philadelphia defender Jenny Benson was the recipient of the 2003 WUSA Humanitarian of the Year award for her involvement in community activities, most notably through her work with the Gia Nicole Angel Fund named for 12-year-old Gia Gaudet. In addition to her work with the Gia Nicole Angel Fund, Benson also frequently takes part in other community activities like soccer clinics and visits to local schools. Benson was one of three featured speakers at a local "Successful Student Athlete Forum" where she spoke to student athletes about the benefits of staying active, teamwork and staying in school.

The Humanitarian of the Year award recognizes the player who demonstrates exemplary community involvement. It is the only WUSA award that does not recognize a player for her actions on the playing field, but for her ability to go above and beyond the call to contribute in her community. WUSA coaches, general managers, players and members of the media voted for the Humanitarian of the Year.

Referee of the Year- Terry Vaughn

Marion, Iowa resident Terry Vaughn was honored as the 2003 WUSA Referee of the Year. A veteran of three WUSA seasons and a regular referee in Major League Soccer and the A-League, Vaughn was judged as the best referee by WUSA coaches, general managers, players, U.S. Soccer and members of the media. The Referee of the Year is awarded to the official judged to be the best overall official in the WUSA during the regular season. This individual consistently displays an understanding of the rules of the game and a consistent application of the rules.



Women's United Soccer Association Stories from August 19, 2003


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