 |
Capsules of Women's Soccer WUSA Teams
Following is a team-by-team preview for the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) which has its inaugural curtain-raiser between Washington Freedom and Bay Area CyberRays Saturday afternoon (home sites in parentheses with capacity):
Atlanta Beat (Bobby Dodd Stadium, Georgia Tech, 17,271 ):
Internationals: forward Sun Wen of China, top pick in the draft and also FIFA's co-player of the century, forward Charmaine Hooper of Canada and forward Homare Sawe of Japan.
American key players: forward Cindy Parlow, goalkeeper Briana Scurry and midfielder Nikki Serlenga.
An impressive forward line with Sun Wen, world's best player playing alongside lanky Porlow and Hooper. World Cup goalie Scurry will be in the nets.
Bay Area CyberRays (Spartan Stadium, San Jose State, 26,000):
Internationals: midfielder Sissi and Katia, both of Brazil, midfielder Julie Murray of Australia.
American key players: defender Brandi Chastain, midfielder Tisha Venturini and goalkeeper Lakeysia Beene.
With the service of eight World Cup veterans, the CyberRays should have an edge in experience. Chastain is to anchor the defense, and expected to join the attack with the Brazilian pair of midfielder Sissi and forward-midfielder Katia.
Boston Breakers (Nickerson Field, Boston University, 11,000):
Internationals: German midfielder Bettina Wiegmann and forward/midfielder Maren Meinert, midfielder Dagny Mellgren of Norway.
American key players: forward/midfielder Kristine Lilly, defender Kate Sobrero and goalkeeper Tracy Ducar.
Both Lilly and Sobrero were key members for the US team in 1999 and 2000. The Breakers have a balanced team with players full of international experience, and Lilly is also the most capped American player.
Carolina Courage (Fetzer Field, University of North Carolina, 7,400):
Internationals: defender Wen Lirong of China, midfielder Hege Riise and goalkeeper Bente Nordby, both of Norway.
American key players: defender Carla Overbeck, forward Danielle
Fotopoulos and defender Tiffany Roberts.
With Marcia McDermott as the only female head coach in the league, the Courage also features veterans of US co-captain Overbeck, most capped Chinese Wen Lirong and Norwegian Olympic champions Riise and Nordby, apart from top youngsters of Kim Yankowski and Staci Wilson.
New York Power (Mitchell Athletic Complex, Long Island, 9,969):
Internationals: goalkeeper Gao Hong of China, forward Ann Kristin Aarones and defender Gro Espeseth, both of Norway.
American key players: forward Tiffeny Milbrett, defender Christie Pearce, defender/midfielder Sara Whalen.
Being one of America's prime scoring threats, Milbrett is to pose a dangerous front along with Norwegian Aarones. Espeseth and Pearce will form the backbone of defense in front of Chinese Gao Hong, one of the world's top keepers.
Philadelphia Charge (Villanova Stadium, Villanova University, 11,800):
Internationals: midfielder Liu Ailing of China, forward kelly Smith of England and defender Doris Fitschen of Germany.
Amerian key players: midfielder Lorrie Fair, goalkeeper Saskia Weber and forward Mandy Clemens.
Being one of the league's youngest teams, the Charge boasts of midfielder Fair, who has lead North Carolina to three national championships and was named 1999 Youth Female Athlete of the Year.
Smith led England in scoring twice.
San Diego Spirit (Torero Stadium, University of San Diego, 7,000):
Internationals: defender Fan Yunjie of China, goalkeeper Ulrika Karlsson and midfielder/defender Kristin Bengtsson, both of Sweden, and forward Mercy Akide of Nigeria.
American key players: midfielder Julie Foudy, forward Shannon MacMilan, defender Joy Fawcett.
Foudy, the U.S. co-captain, will head the midfield with China's Fan Yunjie on defense and Nigerian striker Mercy Akide. However, top defender Fawcett will be out for pregnancy.
Washington Freedom (RFK Stadium, 56,000):
Internationals: forwards Roseli and Pretinha, both of Brazil, midfielder Monica Gerardo of Mexico, and midfielder Bai Jie of China (not yet arrived)
American key players: forward Mia Hamm, defender Michelle French and goalkeeper Siri Mullinix.
Hailed as the league's flagship franchise, the Freedom have Mia Hamm who scored the most goals in the world, and a Brazilian attacking pair of Roseli and Pretinha. Against the odds on defense, the club has Mullinix, the top keeper for the United States.
In This Section
|