I believe Founders Cup III is already awarded to San Jose. Ultimately, a new soccer complex hinges on MLS, and the possibility of building a soccer/lacrosse complex similar to the soccer/tennis complex in Los Angeles... Also, WUSA will not MOVE into the city...why would they want to play a city wage tax?? The soccer market which interests them is the far more affluent suburban market
Not tonight, sorry... I'll try to get some update tomorrow morn, and I've got my choice of three newspapers out there that may run a one or two-sentence-in-passing comment as a sidebar to the SJ-LA game. Paul
Thanks, Poirot for the scoop... Crowd was 32,874 last night; good for Benny to score her first-ever goal; Moore stoning MacMillan on a first half PK, even Mercy Akide played . Spirit were in post-season training camp, apparently; don't know if we were as well. I don't think so. A question to ask, perhaps at the 10/10 reception Now on to Portland for what will be a hum-dinger, kick-back-one's-shoes of a league showcase... Paul
7AM start for France-Denmark... And a live matchtracker, as the game is happening right now at Osense Stadion in Denmark...no update yet, though: http://foot-feminin.fr/internet/actualite/alaune/model.php?id=fichedetail&position=0 Paul
Denmark, 1-0 21st minute goal by Pedersen; < than 1/2 hour remaining. Danes need to score twice more (and hold off France as well, to advance) Paul
Allez Les Bleus! [R] France advances to the final home-and-home round of the UEFA Women's Championship for the 5th spot for China next year with a 1-1 draw vs. Denmark. The Danes kept Pichon off the scoresheet, but Séverinne Lecoufle's 87th minute equalizer salvaged the tie. The visitors win on a 3-1 goal differential. France plays the winner of England-Iceland late next month or in November to determine the final European representative for 2003 WWC. Congrats, Marinette Paul
Didn't take long for FFF's report.... Translated by AltaVista's reliable Babelfish page: "The Team of France Female A qualified itself, this afternoon with Odense vis-a-vis in Denmark, for driving stopping 2 with the final phase of the World cup 2003 in China. Led to the pause, the players of Elisabeth Loisel totaled two minutes of the end thanks to Severine Lecoufle (1-1, 88ème). "Thanks to their superb victory recorded with the match outward journey at the Stage Felix-Bollaert de Lens (2-0) cumulated with the very good null match of this afternoon taken down out of Danish grounds, the Frenchwomen qualified themselves for driving stopping 2 with the final phase of the World cup 2003. They will meet at the time of this turn the winner of Iceland-England. "The meeting however began with the advantage from the Danish ones, which, having to mark at least twice to try to qualify itself, launched out to the attack of the goal of Celine Marty. The very offensive system of the Scandinavians was going to be paying thanks to Louise Hansen (1-0) who started again the fate of the meeting completely. "But the Frenchwomen were going to hold during all the second period vis-a-vis the repeated attacks of the players of Paul Hoejmose. And better still, since at two minutes of the end of the prescribed time, the player of CS Saint-Brieuc, Severine Lecoufle (1-1, 88ème, photograph) gave the two formations to equality and gave the qualification to the players of Elisabeth Loisel. "A superb performance for the Tricolour ones which is not any more but with two steps of their first qualification for a final phase of World cup." Paul
Isn't Chapman only 20?? The Iceland-England match starts at 17:00 in Iceland, hopefully the Icelandic site will have the score ... I say 2-1 Iceland today.... although an England-France playoff to make the WC would be great publicity for the female game in both nations...
TheFA.com will give you live coverage of Iceland v England, Monday September 16th, 6pm. of course 6pm is GMT
http://www.thefa.com/application?or...ontentId=24792&contentType=1&subContentType=1 with starting line-ups... Margret Olafsdottir is in their for the Icelandic side... and as an aside, perhaps the Icelandic team needs to be reminded of the Icelandic portrayal on the Sopranos...
http://www.fff.fr/selections/femA/32938.shtml French coach reflects on getting past Denmark, and looks towards Iceland-England.
World Cup Qualifier 16/09/2002 - "Football War with the English" Iceland's new advertisement for the clash between the two nations sees the Icelandic girls dressed in the uniforms and outfits of the Icelandic Coast Guard and was taken aboard a coastguard vessel in Reykjavik harbour. The headline, which loosely translates as "Football War with the English" - with the subtext declaring that "this time it's not about cod rather a place in the World Cup finals in China that is at stake," plays on the history of confrontation the two nations experienced regarding fishing rights and jurisdictions in the waters of the North Atlantic around Iceland. The campaign itself has undoubtably raised awareness and interest among the Icelandic public with greater attendances now being recorded for the games.
1 mán. 16. sep. 2002 - 17:00 A landslið kv. HM Aukaleikir Laugardalsvöllur Ísland England 1-1 Í gangi
16 September 2002 Strong England level at half-time Iceland v England World Cup Qualifying play-off 1st leg 16th September 2002, 17.00 kick off (local time) Reykjavik, Iceland Half-time: Iceland 1-1 England National Women's Coach Hope Powell will have plenty to talk about in her half-time team talk after England went into the break all-square after an exciting first 45 minutes. England could have been four-nil ahead within the first 15 minutes, as they dominated proceedings. Sammy Britton had the first chance on nine minutes when she shot over the bar with only the 'keeper to beat, while Vicky Exley, captain Karen Walker and Karen Burke all missed chances from close range. A vociferous and hostile crowd got behind the home team, but England's defence were only tested by break-away attacks as England pinned the Icelanders in their own half. Central midfielder Britton had a fantastic chance to break the deadlock on 28 minutes, but she sent her header wide from just four yards out. Captain Karen Walker also had a header well saved from a corner on 39 minutes. But England were made to pay hard for their missed chances on 42 minutes when, entirely against the run of play, Iceland went ahead through defender Olga Faerseth who slotted the ball past Rachel Brown. It was an injustice for England, who should have put the game beyond all reckoning earlier in the game. England pushed on for an equaliser and Burke looked set to net, but her shot from a clearance struck the crossbar. Rachel Yankey picked up the looseball on the right side of the area and crossed back in and Karen Walker slotted home the deflected ball from two yards out on 44 minutes. Stay logged on for a full-time report Starting Line-ups; England: Rachel Brown, Casey Stoney, Mary Phillip, Faye White, Rachel Unitt, Karen Burke, Vicky Exley, Sammy Britton, Rachel Yankey, Karen Walker, Amanda Barr. Subs: Sue Smith, Leanne Hall, Fara Williams, Carly Hunt, Una Nwajei, Kristy Moore, Kirsty Pealling Iceland: Pora B Helgadottir, Gudrun Soley Gunnarsdottir, Olga Faerseth, Edda Gardarsdottir, Elin Jona Porsteinsdottir, Asthildur Helgadottir, Margret R Olafsdottir, Eria Hendriksdottir, Gudlaug Jonsdottir, Rosa J Steinporsdottir, Katrin Jonsdottir. Subs: Maria B Agustsdottir, Laufey Olafsdottir, Asgerdur H Ingibergsdottir, Eva S Gudbjornsdottir, Asdis Porgilsdottir, Bjorg Asta Pordardottir, Dora Stefansdottir Referee: Katriina Elovirta (Finland)
1 mán. 16. sep. 2002 - 17:00 A landslið kv. HM Aukaleikir Laugardalsvöllur Ísland England 2-2 FINAL from ICELAND...reports to follow
A-landslið kvenna lék í dag fyrri leik sinn gegn Englendingum í fyrri hluta umspils undankeppni HM. Frábær stemmning var á Laugardalsvelli og var liðið dyggilega stutt af tæplega 3.000 áhorfendum, sem er met á kvennalandsleik. Íslenska liðið náði tvisvar forystunni í leiknum, fyrst á 42. mínútu með marki frá Olgu Færseth, en Karen Walker jafnaði metin á lokamínútu fyrri hálfleiks. Erla Hendriksdóttir kom Íslandi aftur yfir eftir 55 mínútna leik, en Walker jafnaði enn á 86. mínútu. Síðari leikur liðanna fer fram á St. Andrews leikvanginum í Birmingham 22. september næstkomandi. Iceland takes 2-1 lead minute 55, and England ties at 86 by Karen Walker
Iceland v England World Cup Qualifying play-off 1st leg 16th September 2002, 17.00 kick off (local time) Reykjavik, Iceland Full-time: Iceland 2-2 England (1-1 h/t) FIFA 2003 World Cup qualifier play-off semi-final first leg Attendance: 2,974 Captain Karen Walker (pictured, left) was the England hero, scoring a brace as England twice came from behind against Iceland to grab a 2-2 draw in this World Cup play-off semi-final. England looked set to rue their missed opportunities, but Walker's equaliser four minutes from time saw England take home an away-goal advantage ready for the return leg in six days time. National Coach Hope Powell made two enforced changes to her starting line-up. Following key midfielder Katie Chapmans recent break from the game due to pregnancy and regular No.1 Pauline Cope failing to recover fully from groin surgery six weeks ago, Powell has brought in goalkeeper Rachel Brown and Leeds United midfielder Sammy Brown. The changes didn't seem to bother England and they could have been four-nil ahead within the first 15 minutes, as they dominated proceedings. Sammy Britton had the first chance on nine minutes when she shot over the bar with only the 'keeper to beat, while Vicky Exley, captain Karen Walker and Karen Burke all missed chances from close range. A vociferous and hostile record crowd of nearly 3,000 fans got behind the home team, but England's defence were only tested by break-away attacks as England pinned the Icelanders in their own half. Central midfielder Britton had a fantastic chance to break the deadlock on 28 minutes, but she sent her header wide from just four yards out. Captain Karen Walker also had a header well saved from a corner on 39 minutes. But England were made to pay hard for their missed chances on 42 minutes when, entirely against the run of play, Iceland went ahead through defender Olga Faerseth who slotted the ball past Rachel Brown. It was an injustice for England, who should have put the game beyond all reckoning earlier in the game. England pushed on for an equaliser and Burke looked set to net, but her shot from a clearance struck the crossbar. Rachel Yankey picked up the looseball on the right side of the area and crossed back in and Karen Walker slotted home the deflected ball from two yards out on 44 minutes. Walker was booked on 55 minutes for a 50-50 challenge and Iceland took another advantage a minute later. The goalscorer Faerseth tricked Rachel Yankey on the right and put in a cross to the unmarked Erla Hendriksdottir to head home to make it 2-1 on 56 minutes. Iceland grew in strength and confidence as the game went on, while England noticeably missed the calming influence of Katie Chapman at the heart of the side. Fulham striker Una Nwajei looked dangerous when she entered the field, for Amanda Barr on 75 minutes, but it was Walker who brought England back into the game with just four minutes left on the clock. After racing onto a throughball, Walker sent a magnificent lob in over the home 'keeper's head. England will now be preparing for the return leg at Birmingham City FC's St Andrews ground in just six days time. A play-off final tie against France is at stake to the aggregate winners and with away goals counting double, England are in a good position. England: Rachel Brown, Casey Stoney, Mary Phillip, Faye White, Rachel Unitt, Karen Burke, Vicky Exley, Sammy Britton, Rachel Yankey, Karen Walker, Amanda Barr (sub 75 mins Una Nwajei). Subs not used: Sue Smith, Leanne Hall, Fara Williams, Carly Hunt, Kristy Moore, Kirsty Pealling Iceland: Pora B Helgadottir, Gudrun Soley Gunnarsdottir, Olga Faerseth, Edda Gardarsdottir, Elin Jona Porsteinsdottir, Asthildur Helgadottir, Margret R Olafsdottir, Eria Hendriksdottir, Gudlaug Jonsdottir, Rosa J Steinporsdottir, Katrin Jonsdottir. Subs not used: Maria B Agustsdottir, Laufey Olafsdottir, Asgerdur H Ingibergsdottir, Eva S Gudbjornsdottir, Asdis Porgilsdottir, Bjorg Asta Pordardottir, Dora Stefansdottir Referee: Katriina Elovirta (Finland)
http://www.thefa.com/application?or...ontentId=24874&contentType=1&subContentType=1 recap of the match. Apparently Margret Olafdottir was brought down in the PK area in the 1st half, and the Finnish ref didn't call anything. Dawn Powell, English coach said she thought it was a PK... So England has 2 road goals. Iceland needs to beat England on Sunday. England plays like England showing tons of emotion and effort in the 1st half, controling much of the 1st half, Iceland survives the onslaught, and seizes the 2nd half, gets up a goal, and then the will of England gets a draw. 1st goal on Sunday will be critical. The key is can England match the emotional effort they used on Monday. I'd be a bit nervous if I was England, even though you got the draw, they need to play to win on Sunday. Playiong for a draw is NOT their game. France-England playoff would do wonders for womens football in BOTH nations. French take on the match: http://www.fff.fr/selections/femA/32981.shtml
http://www.thefa.com/application?or...ontentId=25013&contentType=1&subContentType=1 Karen Walker the two goal scorer against Iceland on Monday will miss Sunday die to a 2nd yellow... Given all the players England is missing, this match will be even more difficult.. do not be surprised to see Iceland get a road win here...
i hate to sound like a selfish bastard but given that kelly isnt playing in this tourney (obviously) and that if the Brits made the WWC kelly would miss alot of time on the road...id rather see iceland win...let pichon goto china...we have mandy and wed then have kelly coming back. as i said, selfish, but does have some merit