This email was sent out by the team some time ago: *** Final Tune-up Match Before San Diego Kicks Off Third WUSA Campaign on April 5 at Torero Stadium SPIRIT TO FACE ARIZONA STATE IN MARCH 29 PRESEASON GAME IN TEMPE SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Spirit will continue preseason play in an exhibition match in Tempe, Arizona, on Saturday, March 29 against Arizona State. Kickoff at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium is at 4:00 p.m. PT. The match is the final stop on a two-game, six-day preseason road trip. Release Summary Ø The Spirit roster will feature top players Shannon MacMillan, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett & Aly Wagner. Ø This is the Spirit's final preseason match before their season opener on April 5 against the Boston Breakers. Ø For more information, please contact Arizona State University at 480-965-2381. The match against Arizona State will come one week before the Spirit's season opener on April 5. San Diego will feature a roster including Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Shannon MacMillan, Jaime Pagliarulo and Aly Wagner. "We are excited to be going to Tempe, Arizona to play our final preseason game," said San Diego Spirit head coach Omid Namazi. "The combination of the weather and the great facilities are ideal, as we put the final touches to our team. Arizona State is a program that is on the rise and they have some excellent players. Playing the Sun Devils is a perfect match to help us prepare for our season opener the following week." The Sun Devils, who advanced to the second round of last year's NCAA Tournament, return all of their starters, including freshman All-Americans Manya Makoski (U-19 National Team) and Elizabeth Bogus. ASU's top defender and U-21 National Team player Amy LePeilbet and U-19 National Team player Stephanie Ebner will lead the Devil back line. Tickets for the game will be priced at $5.00 for general admission, $3.00 for youth (high school and younger, and seniors 60 years and older) and $3.00 for groups of 20 or more. For tickets call 480-965-2381. Parking for the game is free and will be located in the parking lot next to the stadium. *** And ASU has a page up at their website about it: http://thesundevils.ocsn.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/030503aaa.html
Weather should be pretty good, as the forecast at gametime is for: Sunshine, 75 degrees with 18% humidity Get out the sunscreen!!!
game notes Game stats: starting in a 3-5-2 formation were Pickup [right d.], Fawcett [central d.], Kryskowski [left d.]. In the middle were Foudy [d. mid], Fair [left mid], Daniela [center mid], Wagner [center mid], Bush [right mid]. Up top, Mac on the left, Latham on the right. Pags in goal. 2nd half: in the back were Pickup, Fawcett, and Cromwell. The middle was Foudy, Wagner, Fair, Daniella, #19 at left mid [Sullivan maybe?]. Mac and Latham up top with Branam in goal. Subs: 62'. Wags off, Lalor on. 70'. Palmer and Alfiler in for Daniella and Pickup. 75'. Bush in for Fair. General impressions, observations and comments: Mac was hot and had quite a few dangerous shots on goal. Foudy looks in good shape and wasn't dragging at the end. Branam made an awesome diving save, the likes of a first class international soccer star. Latham maybe had some trouble playing a full 90. San Diego had a few offsides in the first half, as well as a bunch of fouls, but kept ithe violations down a little in the second half. Foudy cracked shins and flopped [I thought it was a flop anyway] and play stopped, but no one was injured. Branam has a blue cap.
Re: game notes Palmer was in back, Cromwell was the #19 who played in holding midfielder spot. Foudy was hurt enough to be be off the field for over 4 minutes of playing time, leaving the team short a player. Branam has been wearing that blue cap (looks sort of like an over-size old time swimming cap) since very early in the pre-season. Someone once told me that she had had a cut of some sort? As usual, I've placed my full remarks at: http://spiritedsoccer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=757&sid=382701c9cf31004569bf3eca36a7340b#757
ASU-Spirit game I was at the ASU game this weekend...you San Diego fans have a great team to watch. We really enjoyed seeing them in action (this was also my first time seeing WUSA players live). The crowd, though, sucked...lots of soccer parents who barely paid attention. And most of the kids spent more time shuttling back and forth between the parents and the concession stands. They barely got into the game. I'll have to visit San Diego for a Spirits home game this summer.
I agree about the poor show of support at the game. Did you get a copy of Women In Sports magazine by chance? I'm a writer for them and got to interview Joy and Julie after the game. Julie's is going to be on our June cover, so keep an eye out for it. If you did get it, what'd you think about it? We're always looking for comments..thanks! My advice: "Make sure you look decent when you leave the house...you never know when you'll end up on one of those hidden camera shows..." -Me-
Well, since it's based in Arizona (for now lol), the only ways to get the magazine are either at women's sports events or by subscription. If you'd like I could send out a copy to you, but I have a feeling that now that I've said that, I can imagine how many others will want one . The story should be up on the website I hope, but we'll figure something out
Unlike others who expect handouts left and right...I would actually pay for a copy. Just PM me with the details if this can be worked out. Mahalo.