SAN DIEGO SPIRIT WINGS Official Newsletter for San Diego Spirit Season Ticket Holders Volume 1, Issue 9 August 2, 2002 In this issue: The BIG News – Spirit Attendance is Soaring “In the Spirit” Debuts Saturday Match Preview – Philadelphia v Spirit Throw-Ins – Three Dot Info… Personality Plus – A letter from Kim Pickup on the road Upcoming Promotions! Kick off your season party! SHREK the movie! Media Watch Next Home Match QUICK GLANCE RECORD: 4-10-4, 16 points, 7th place LAST MATCH: 4-1 loss to Atlanta on July 31 LEADING SCORER: Shannon MacMillan, 5 goals, 6 assists, 16 points THE BIG NEWS SPIRIT ATTENDANCE IS SOARING Torero Stadium is still the place to witness the best in women’s professional soccer and family entertainment. Fans continue to come to the University of San Diego, despite the team’s 4-10-4 record. The franchise is ahead of last year’s average attendance figure, 5,831 to 5,714, a feat that is uncommon for second-year sports teams. In 2001, the Spirit attracted 62,850 in 11 games; this season San Diego has drawn 52,475 in only nine dates, with one home match remaining. During the 2002 season, the Spirit has hosted their first, second, third and fourth largest crowds in team history. AUGUST “IN THE SPIRIT” DEBUTS SATURDAY The August edition of Channel 4 San Diego’s “In the Spirit with Julie Foudy” will premiere Saturday, August 3, 3:30 p.m. This edition features a profile on reserve goalkeeper Shelley Finger, Shauna Rohbock’s window washing fetish and staff/gameday stadium preparations. *************************** MATCH PREVIEW Philadelphia Charge, 8/3, 4 p.m. PT at Villanova Stadium, live on Channel 4 San Diego – The Spirit returns to the East coast for the third time in three weeks to challenge the league-leading Philadelphia Charge. San Diego has played well against the Charge this season, compiling a 1-0-1 record. SD v PHI 2002, 1-1-0; SD v PHI Lifetime, 1-2-2; SD v PHI in San Diego, 1-1-1; SD v PHI in Philadelphia, 0-1-1; 2002 Leading Scorer v PHI, Foudy, Zhang 1 goal; Lifetime Leading Scorer v PHI, Foudy, Koleski, Zhang, 1 goal. ******************** THROW-INS 3 DOT INFO… The Spirit used their 17th different lineup of the season…Carly Smolak made her fourth consecutive start in goal for the 2002 season and her fifth career on 7/31…Smolak has a record of 1-2-2 as a starter…Smolak set a team season-high for consecutive shutout minutes this season at 178 minutes on 7/27…Smolak earned her second consecutive loss in goal on 7/31… Fan Yunjie missed her fourth game of the season on 7/31, 7/20 & 7/27, pulled hamstring, 7/14, coach’s decision…Zhang Ouying missed her second start of the season due to a pulled hamstring…The Spirit is 9-1-3 when scoring the first goal of the game, first loss came on 7/31 v ATL ******************* PERSONALITY PLUS: #16 KIM PICKUP A Quick Letter from Kim Pickup on the Road in Philadelphia On the road…AGAIN!! I swear it feels like we were here on the east coast just a few days ago…oh yeah, we were!! This time we are here to enjoy the 99-degree weather of Philadelphia compared to the 89-degree weather of DC and New York. During this trip we are hoping to beat up on Philly and Atlanta, then quickly return home to give Carolina a spanking. We want to finish this season on a positive note to give our fans something to cheer about. The worst parts of these road trips aren’t the airplane rides, bus trips, or hotel food-it’s not being able to play in front of our Spirit fans. See ya back in great San Diego soon, Berly ********************* UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: KICK-OFF YOUR SEASON PARTY ON AUGUST 11th! Youth teams are invited to celebrate the beginning of their club season in grand fashion with the Spirit on August 11th when the team takes on Carolina. The Kick-off package includes: specially priced tickets a fundraising opportunity participation in a team parade on the field at Torero Stadium video board and p.a. acknowledgement AND a team photo on the field Plus, the club that purchases the largest block of tickets receives an exclusive post-game meet and greet with members of the team! MOVIE NIGHT WITH THE SPIRIT...SUNDAY, AUGUST 11! The team has a special treat planned for FANS after the final home game on August 11th. At the conclusion of the game on August 11th, fans will be invited down onto the field to enjoy the showing of "SHREK"..the movie, on the video-board. So, be sure to bring friends and family, AND A BLANKET for MOVIE NIGHT WITH THE SPIRIT. Get your game tickets today for this special occasion! MEDIA WATCH 8/2-XTRA Sports 690 – Mac & Cheese Show with John Kentera, 9 p.m. 8/3-Ch 4 San Diego – SPIRIT v CHARGE, 4 p.m., live 8/3-KSDO 1130 Inside Soccer – Match Update, 4 pm ************** NEXT HOME MATCH San Diego concludes their sophomore WUSA season on Sunday, August 11, 5 p.m. against the Carolina Courage on Fan Appreciation Night. San Diego will be searching for their first win against the Courage and to finish the 2002 season on a positive note. Carolina, who is close to qualifying for the postseason, has been at or near the top of the WUSA standings all season long. The Spirit will show the popular movie “Shrek” after the match and celebrate their great fan support by giving away prizes and gifts to the Spirit supporters throughout the evening. FOLLOW THE SPIRIT ON THE INTERNET AT sandiegospirit.com WATCH THE SPIRIT ON CH 4 SAN DIEGO and PAX TV THANK YOU FOR BEING A SEASON TICKET HOLDER