Yeah, it's weird that we haven't played three of the other teams at all, and yet this will be the last game of the regular season with Boston! Here is a bit of info that I was given at the viewing party the other day. To help celebrate Armed Forces Day (which is actually the day before), the Spirit will allow military members to get general admission seats for $8, and then their kids under 16 would get in free! Those tickets would be limited, so anyone interested should call the Spirit front office (1-877-4soccer) for more information or to order those tickets - which would have to be reserved by Friday at 3pm.
Info from WUSA: Sunday, May 18, 2003 - Boston Breakers at San Diego Spirit - 8:00 p.m. (ET) - Cox4 (San Diego). San Diego extended its unbeaten streak to four games with a 1-1 tie with Atlanta on Saturday, May 10. Julie Fleeting gave the Spirit the early lead before Atlanta tied the match in the 75th minute. Boston dropped its first game since April 12 with a 3-2 loss at New York on Saturday, May 10. Forward Maren Meinert tallied two goals in the losing effort. The last meeting between these two teams resulted in a 2-1 victory for the Breakers on April 5 at Torero Stadium. Dagny Mellgren and Meinert each notched a goal in the Boston victory. Key Players to Watch: Boston's Meinert (6g, 1a, 13 pts. - 2nd among WUSA scoring leaders) registered her third career multiple-goal game with two goals versus New York on May 10. Meinert has recorded three goals and five assists versus San Diego all-time (seven matches). Forward Dagny Mellgren (3g, 1a, 7 pts. - 8th among WUSA scoring leaders) missed Boston's last match due to Norwegian national team duty. Mellgren has tallied five goals for 10 points versus San Diego all-time (eight matches). Defender Monica Gonzalez (1g, 2a, 4 pts.) is third on the team in scoring. Gonzalez has already eclipsed her point total from the 2002 season (1). Forward Allie Sullivan (1a) will be facing her former squad (Boston) this weekend. Sullivan may fill in for the missing Fleeting (Scottish national team duty). Forward Christine Latham (1g, 1a, 3 pts.) registered her first career WUSA goal on April 5 versus Boston. Latham likely be filling in for the missing Shannon MacMillan (due to U.S. national team duty). Goalkeeper Jaime Pagliarulo (2-1-1, 1.00 GAA) made five saves in the Spirit's 1-1 tie with Atlanta on May 10. "Pags" has a 2-1-1 record with a 2.20 goals against average versus the Breakers all-time (six matches). Key Matchup: (Boston forwards Maren Meinert and Dagny Mellgren versus San Diego defenders Kim Pickup and Kerry Connors) The San Diego Spirit will be without Joy Fawcett (national team duty) and Pickup and Connors will need fill the void left by its 2002 team MVP. Meinert and Mellgren have combined to produce 57 percent of the total goals scored by Boston on San Diego. The "Inside Scoop": Both teams are off to their best starts in team history. Seven players from both teams have been called up to U.S. national team duty for this Saturday, May 17 versus England (Shannon MacMillan - San Diego; Aly Wagner - San Diego; Julie Foudy - San Diego; Joy Fawcett - San Diego; Kristine Lilly - Boston; Kate Sobrero - Boston; Angela Hucles - Boston). San Diego will be without the services of Julie Fleeting due to Scottish national team duty. They Said it: "We'd like to go into this Boston match knowing that in first game (a 2-1 loss on Opening Day) that we were on our heels, but that in second game (a 1-1 tie) we played them more level, and that we can even up the series in the third game. They are certainly a quality team. We know they were missing the Mugneret-Beghe and Mellgren this past weekend, which is a big loss. With all their players, they are a very dangerous team and maybe the most exciting attacking team in the league."- San Diego Spirit Head Coach Omid Namazi on Saturday's match versus Boston. Referee: Misail Tsapos. Assistant Referees: Sandra Belmont, Diane Driggers. 4th Official: Pat Novak. Injury Report as of 05/12/03: BOSTON: OUT -GK Tracy Ducar (tendonitis in both knees); M Devvyn Hawkins (L foot stress fracture); PROBABLE - F Ragnhild Gulbrandsen (L Foot Bone Bruise). SAN DIEGO: None. National Team Duty as of 05/12/03 BOSTON: M Kristine Lilly (USA); D Kate Sobrero (USA); M Angela Hucles (USA). SAN DIEGO: F Shannon MacMillan (USA); M Aly Wagner (USA); M Julie Foudy (USA); Joy Fawcett (USA); F Julie Fleeting (Scotland). *** Note: Scotland is playing the Ukraine in a qualification match for Euro 2005 on the 18th, that is why Julie Fleeting will not be available. *** Note: Jenna Kluegel was added to the US roster for for the England game. She probably won't be one of the final 18, but she would at least miss training with Boston. http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=35440&itype=113&iCategoryID=0
http://www.cybersoccernews.com/columnists/ring/030507ring.shtml A little over midway down this long article by Merrill Ring is an appreciation of Julie Fleeting and Maren Meinert... There is a lot of other good info and insight there - WWC2003, announcers, WUSA staff getting the boot, and the 5-4 Charge vs Power game.
Win't the national teamers be able to make it back because the national game is on Sat. at noon, then can't they jump on the plane and fly back to play on Sun.?
The American nat'l teamers, yes. Fleeting, on the other hand, will be in Europe playing for Scotland, and won't be back.
ok confused Ok I'm a little confused here now...so will Mac and company be able to play for SD on Sunday or not? (I've heard both ways)
From CyberSoccerNews: You Again? San Diego takes on Boston for the third time in six games by Jorge Palacios
Spirit Wants to Break Even A 'Spotlight On' feature By John Philip Wyllie Let's hope that Christine becomes a 'Fleeting Jr'!!! http://sandiegospirit.com/press_room/spotlight_on/360579.html Since both teams will have 4 players at the NWT game in Birmingham, let's have coach Heinrichs start the Spirit players in the first half and sub in the Breaker players for the second half.
The 4 Spirit players did indeed just play the first half, as coach Heinrichs used up 6 of her subs at halftime. Lilly played the entire game, while Sobrero and Hucles played the second half. Because of the results of today's WUSA games, the Spirit can end up in second place if they defeat the Breakers. With Fleeting and Latham gone, now with be a good time for Allie Sullivan to show her former team mates what they are missing. Go Allie!!!
we need a win! OMG, 2nd place...this is the best start EVER for SD. Let's hope they keep it up Hopefully everyone will step it up with Fleets and Latham gone.
North County Times Sunday Edition article on the defense, by Brian Hiro... http://www.nctimes.net/news/2003/20030518/63856.html (for some reason the U-T SE Sports hasn't been put on their website yet. It has a good article on Pags.)
Confident Pags Steadies Spirit Another 'Spotlight' feature at the Spirit site, this one by Wylie on Jaime Pagliarulo! http://sandiegospirit.com/press_room/spotlight_on/360778.html
from somebody near ambulance.....they are looking at 3 possibilities....hyperextension.....hairline fracture.....acl tear. (Okay...just got another update) .... she's on the sideline right now with a bag of ice on her knee. didn't go to hospital. they're covering her with a blanket. post when I find out more after game