at the Spirit Website: http://www.sandiegospirit.com/344432.html Of note: Jen Lalor is using her married name now: Nielsen. I noticed at the Sockers game the other night that she appears to have lightened her hair considerably. *** And some non-roster players listed (I assume that there are others that haven't been posted yet): Alfiler, Andrea, D, Glendora, Calif., APU, APU Almanzo, Megan, M, Storrs, Conn., Connecticut, Connecticut Anders, Sherice, M, Santee, Calif, USD, Boston Breakers (WUSA) Finger, Shelley , G, Bryan, Texas, North Carolina, San Diego Spirit (WUSA) Rohbock, Shauna, F, Orem, Utah, BYU, San Diego Spirit (WUSA) Winzen, Tracey, M, Yorba Linda, Calif., UCLA, UCLA
what... only one new defender is trying?~?~?! whats up with that? if rhi retires (although she is still on the roster, woo hoo!) we'll need more than one!
Tracey Winzen is listed as a middie, but she started at central defense for UCLA last year. She's a nice player--pretty solid. Didn't Andrea Alfiler play for the Charge last year? I'm surprised that's not listed in addition to APU.
News from today's release: (1) Tanaka no longer appears on the roster. (2) Additions to those trying out: Amanda Cromwell, Erin Fahey, Ronnie Fair, Allie Kemp. That is a good bunch from those released because of this year's roster limits and it includes defenders. (Alfiler did play for the Charge the last two years: I think she was a reserve perhaps both years.)
Re: Re: Spring Training is Here! (and so is the roster) Thanks for those additions, I wondered about the number of players that I couldn't identify at yesterdays practice!
Re: Re: Spring Training is Here! (and so is the roster) That is a good group! I'm impressed that the Spirit got that many name players from the waiver pool. Perhaps people think that the Spirit can be like the Courage and turn things around completely. Or maybe it's the San Diego weather. I know that would be a big drawing point for me.
Here is a copy of the parts of the press release that either do not have to do with them getting credentials (or the main roster, since we already know all of that...) *** San Diego will Play Six Exhibition Matches in Preparation for April 5 Opener vs. the Boston Breakers SAN DIEGO SPIRIT OPENS SPRING TRAINING AT NEW PRACTICE SITE SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Spirit began their first Spring Training camp under the guidance of new head coach Omid Namazi yesterday at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, the club’s new practice facility. The Spirit will play six exhibition matches leading up to the April 5 season opener against the Boston Breakers at Torero Stadium. Release Summary Ø Twenty-seven players are competing for the 16 active roster spots, two reserve team positions and two developmental spots. Ø San Diego will play CS Fullerton, Atlanta Beat, Arizona State, U.S. U-21’s, Loyola Marymount and University of Wisconsin. Ø San Diego Spirit’s annual Media Day is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2. During the duration of training camp, 27 women will compete for the 16 spots on the Spirit roster as the team prepares for opening day. An additional two reserve team roster spots and two developmental player contracts are available for the 2003 season. National team members Joy Fawcett, Julie Foudy, Shannon MacMillan and Aly Wagner will be in Portugal from March 7-21 for the prestigious 2003 Algarve Cup tournament. Canadian international Christine Latham and Zhang Ouying of China will also be participating in the Algarve Cup. Julie Fleeting will arrive at training camp later in the month after playing for Scotland in World Cup qualifying matches. Brazilian midfielder Daniela will join the team once her work visa is processed. The Spirit opens their preseason schedule on March 4 against the U.S. U-21’s. Loyola Marymount University will play the Spirit on March 12. San Diego plays Cal-State Fullerton on March 15 and the University of Wisconsin on March 18. The team will then travel to Houston, Texas for a match against the Atlanta Beat on March 26 at Rice University’s Track & Soccer Stadium. Three days later, the Spirit will face Arizona State University in Tempe. Spring training roster & schedule attached- 2003 SAN DIEGO SPIRIT PRESEASON ROSTER Player Pos. Hometown College Last Club Alfiler, Andrea D Glendora, Calif. Azuza Pacific Philadelphia Charge (WUSA) Almanzo, Megan M Storrs, Conn. Connecticut Connecticut Anders, Sherice M Santee, Calif USD Boston Breakers (WUSA) Cromwell, Amanda D Annandale, Va. Virginia Atlanta Beat (WUSA) Fahey, Erin G Tucson, Ariz. Portland Washington Freedom (WUSA) Fair, Ronnie D Los Altos, Calif. Stanford New York Power (WUSA) Finger, Shelley G Bryan, Texas North Carolina San Diego Spirit (WUSA) Kemp, Allie M Encinitas, Calif. California Boston Breakers (WUSA) Rohbock, Shauna F Orem, Utah BYU San Diego Spirit (WUSA) Winzen, Tracey M Yorba Linda, Calif. UCLA UCLA SAN DIEGO SPIRIT 2003 PRESEASON SCHEDULE (subject to change) March 3 Training at USD March 4 Preseason match: v U.S. U-21’s , 10 a.m. March 5-8 Training at ARCO March 10-11 Training at ARCO March 12 Preseason match: v LMU, 3:00 p.m. March 13-14 Training at ARCO March 15 Preseason match: vs. Cal-St. Fullerton, 6 p.m. March 17-18 Training at ARCO March 19 Preseason match: v Univ. of Wisconsin, 10 a.m. March 20-21 Training at ARCO March 24 Leave for Houston March 26 Preseason match vs. Atlanta (at Houston), 5 p.m. March 27 Leave for Arizona March 29 Preseason match vs. Arizona State University (at ASU), 6 p.m. April 1 Training at ARCO April 2 MEDIA DAY April 3 Training at ARCO April 4 Training at USD April 5 Boston at San Diego at 6:00 p.m. PT (at Torero Stadium)
alfilier was a reserve last year and is a very promising right back prospect...a definate keeper IMHO
great opportunity for the 3 or 4 non-roster invitees defenders. if they show the proper hustle and discipline and any kind of soccer acumen, they can easily land a job. and san diego has always been a destination for athletes of various stripes, largely due to the weather, and especially with the Spirit 'cause of it's beautiful stadium as well. great to hear spring season has started!! hopefully tsunami will be bringing us camp reports!
03-04-03 game vs the U-21 team [R] The Spirit won 3-2, in a game that was composed of three 35-minute periods. Aly Wagner scored in the first period, the U-21's scored in the second, and then the Spirit scored twice before the U-21's got another. I'll try to post more later...
I'm new to the WUSA, so I dont know much about each of these new tryout players. But does anyone else have any projected 16+2+2 players for the season?
Re: Spirit vs. U21 I've posted more info here: http://www.spiritedsoccer.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=203
Foudy is 'Cautiously Optimistic' But there are concerns about the defense and continuity... http://sandiegospirit.com/press_room/spotlight_on/345026.html
Re: Spirit vs. U21 All I know, and I found hilarious, was that Alfiler called out to Ronnie saying "Lorrie, Lorrie" when she wanted the ball, and lorrie answered "I'm Ronnie!" I thought that was classic. But if anyone else has the REAL scoop on the game - you know, who did good, who made some mistakes - that would be really cool! Thanks
Since Alfiler played with Lorrie Fair during 2002, in the haste of the game, yelling Lorrie seems appropriate. Andrea Alfiler is very composed on the ball for a defender, and she played very well the times Mitts was injured or called up. Alfiler was NAIA player of the year two years ago.
Re: Fleets This paragraph was part of the Spirit announcement of the start of spring training: *** Canadian international Christine Latham and Zhang Ouying of China will also be participating in the Algarve Cup. Julie Fleeting will arrive at training camp later in the month after playing for Scotland in World Cup qualifying matches. Brazilian midfielder Daniela will join the team once her work visa is processed. *** I didn't know that Scotland had any qualifying games. A couple of weeks ago the only games FIFA listed for them were 'friendlies' like the one coming up against China. So I wonder how 'later' later in the month is. http://www.fifa.com/fifa/media/UPC_A_WOMEN.htm It looks like coach Namazi will be getting a long look at the non-roster players. I guess that that is all to the good in the long run...
THe editor probaly meant the upcoming game vs. China on March 10 and the Algave Cup Tournament. So she (Fleeting) will be back with the Spirit later this month.
Arizona State Preseason Game For those that haven't seen this yet, ASU already has info up at their website for the game on the 29th. Homefully, the full team will have been together for at least a week. http://thesundevils.ocsn.com/sports/w-soccer/spec-rel/030503aaa.html
LMU Match Does anyone know if this preseason match will be played at Torero or ARCO? Also what would be the best way to check and find out if the time of the match has been changed?
Re: LMU Match According to the WUSA list of Spirit spring training events, it is supposed to be at USD. I think calling the Spirit offices is the best way to find out about changes...
I haven't been able to get to any more practices so far (I live 25 miles away from ARCO.) I'll be at the game Wednesday - it is at 3pm at USD. Those of us that can make that (USD is only 5 miles away from my home) should have more info for you then.