Okay, we only have a couple of days left before the next game... Here is what was part of the WUSA week 17 matchups article (of course, it was written before the Wednesday night games.) Saturday, August 3, 2002 - San Diego Spirit (4-9-4, 16 pts.) at Philadelphia Charge (10-2-5, 35 pts.) - 7:00 p.m. (ET) - CSN (Philadelphia); Cox 4 (San Diego) (Season Series: San Diego leads 1-0-0) (All-time Series History: Philadelphia leads 2-1-1) Philadelphia will be looking to avenge an earlier 1-0 loss to San Diego on May 19. Since then, the Charge has not lost on the road in five straight matches (as of July 29). Both teams will be coming off a mid-week match heading into Saturday's game at Villanova Stadium. Depending on Wednesday's outcome both Philadelphia and San Diego could be battling for playoff positioning. If the Charge defeats San Jose on Wednesday, Philadelphia could be battling to host a home playoff match. A win for San Diego on Wednesday will keep the Spirit playoff hopes alive. Key Players to Watch: San Diego's Shannon MacMillan (5g, 6a, 16 pts. - 12th among WUSA scoring leaders) is the team's leading scorer and has recorded an assist versus the Charge this season. Julie Foudy (4g, 3a, 11 pts. - tied for 16th among WUSA scoring leaders) recorded her first career WUSA goal versus the Charge on May 19. Midfielder Lori Lindsey (2g, 5a, 9 pts.) recorded an assist versus the Charge earlier this season. However, the San Diego rookie has been held scoreless in the last for games. With forward Marinette Pichon (13g, 1a, 27 pts. - tied for 2nd among WUSA scoring leaders) Philadelphia will look to forward Mandy Clemens (2g, 2a, 6 pts.) and midfielder Liu Ailing (2g, 2a, 6 pts.) to carry the team's offense. Both players have registered the last three score for the Charge. Liu has scored a goal in two straight matches. Melissa Moore (10-2-5, 0.94 GAA) continues to be one of the top 'keepers in the WUSA. Moore leads the league in goals against average (0.94), winning percentage (73.5) and wins (10). Key Matchup: (San Diego forwards Shannon MacMillan and Julie Fleeting versus Philadelphia defenders Jenny Benson and Erica Iverson) - Benson and Iverson will lead the league's stingiest defense (0.94 goals per game) against two very dangerous offensive threats. Both Fleeting and MacMillan will look to take advantage of a Philadelphia's back line, which will be without Heather Mitts (hip pointer). The "Inside Scoop": San Diego enters the week in a must-win situation with each of the team's last four games. The Spirit has been able to hold the Charge scoreless this season (as the only score for Philadelphia versus San Diego in 2002 came on an own goal). Philadelphia could be looking at trying to clinch a home playoff game with a win over Spirit. A key component of this match is the loss of Philadelphia forward Marinette Pichon (41 percent of the Charge's goal scoring this season). They Said it: "The Spirit is a technically sound team that has played well against us all season. They have been playing better and better under Kevin and we will need to be at our best if we expect to win." - Philadelphia Charge Head Coach Mark Krikorian on San Diego. Referee: Terry Vaughn. Referee Assistants: Diane Driggers, William Delaney. 4th Official: Tony Russo. *** *** Why couldn't the Charge have rested their players against us, instead of the Cyber-Rays? For some reason, the Spirit has been able to give Philadelphia all they can handle, with or without Smith. Pichon hasn't scored against us either. So, having seen the Wednesday game, what changes would you make to the starting lineup - both in personnel and assignements?
From CyberSoccerNews: Soccer's Spirit: What will happen in Philadelphia? The Charge have not been able to beat San Diego this year, but it is now desperation time for them by Merrill Ring
It's all about pride now. It would be great if they gave the 1st place team an ass kicking. I'd like to see Fan back out there. Boxx needs to play holding mid and keep the vultures off of Julie's back to give her time to play make. Turn Mac loose!!
Not that we'll pack it in, but stick a fork in us anyway, not only with a lame duck coach, but with the same-*ss lame duck GM!! 5-0 Charge. We're cooked.
Why doesnt the spirit just let the charge win, they arent going to the playoffs anyways. just joking.
http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/hourbyhour/19134 weather for the match. As I can attest, this is NOT fit for playing football at all. It'll be a game of possession and dead balls. I'm sure ALL subs will get used. Big question is whether either team runs out of gas due to the brutal condiitons. And whatever teams gives up the first goal, patience is required to get it back.