Into Womens soccer? Remember to root for our womens team!

Fan of the movie Bend it like Beckham?

If you are looking for a "Bend It Like Beckham" Buddy Icon check out
the site below they also have a section for contests.

http://www.m80teams.com/?QzozMjc6MjQzMzk5

The DVD just came out 9/30. You can order your copy at amazon.com or
foxstore.com

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?si4women&1

http://www.myreplay.net/homeus.asp

Hello,

I've been part of this group for a while now and I guess it's time to
give my first contribution.  I recently discovered a service that
sends you videos through email of the goals of your favorite teams.
I've signed up and I must say I'm really impressed, whenever my teams
play, I receive their goals the next day - and the videos are really
good quality!  I've already started my video collection.  Well,
enough said - get to know for yourself:

http://www.myreplay.net/homeus.asp

If you click on "Free Test Drive" you can see how it works. If you
choose to sign up, please put my email as the person who showed you
the site so I can get more free team signatures : - )

Thanks,

Carlos

PS - Excellent World Cup 2002 goals package as well!

Hello,

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Regards,

place_sports_bets <place_sports_bets@...>

Hi to everyone..
on www.robertobaggio.com, the official site of the famous football
player, there is a free online game: a online Free-Kicks World Cup.
It's simple but very funny. If you are interesting in it, you can
find it here:
http://www.robertobaggio.com/games/

see you!

Ma Liangxing has been appointed the new Head
Coach of China’s National Team, with an immediate
assignment of leading China at the Algarve Cup in Portugal
commencing this week. The 45-year-old led Shanghai TV to
last year’s treble of the China Super League, the FA
Cup, and the Ninth National Games. Ma Liangxing takes
over the reins from the long-serving Ma Yuanan.

Not another one of my
favourites....argh!!<br><br>Mia Hamm, captain of the Washington Freedom, is
scheduled to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a
lesion on her left knee. <br>Hamm will have the surgery
early next week. Hamm was diagnosed with a lesion on
her left distal femur (thigh bone), specifically in
the trochlear groove. A soreness in her knee
developed over the last 18 months. The decision to operate
was made when soreness did not dissipate in the
offseason. <br><br>Recovery from the arthroscopic procedure
is expected to take at least eight weeks, according
to team officials. <br><br>The Washington Freedom
are currently in the midst of voluntary preseason
training and will begin their official preseason camp
March 2 at RFK Stadium. Practice on the 2nd is from 10
a.m. - 12 noon and is open to the public.

Brandi Chastain, captain of the WUSA champion San
Jose CyberRays, is scheduled to undergo knee surgery
Thursday to repair a cartilage tear in her left
knee.<br><br>Recovery from the arthroscopic procedure is expected to
take three to four weeks, according to team
physicians, which would cause her to miss the U.S. Women’s
National Team’s participation in the Algarve Cup
tournament in Portugal, to be played March 1-7, and early
preseason training with the CyberRays. But Chastain should
be ready for the CyberRays’ April 13 opening match
against the Boston Breakers in Spartan Stadium, which is
eight weeks away.<br><br>Chastain was diagnosed with a
tear in the medial meniscus resulting from an injury
in the 21st minute of the Feb. 10 WUSA World Stars
match in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.<br><br>The CyberRays
currently are in the midst of voluntary preseason training
and will begin their official preseason camp March 1
at West Valley College in Saratoga.<br><br>GET WELL
SOON BRANDI

Holders Arsenal have been dumped out of the AXA
FA Women's Cup after going down 2-1 to rivals
Doncaster Belles in their quarter-final tie this
afternoon.<br>It means last season's treble winners can now only
defend their league title, having already been knocked
out of the Premier League Cup by Fulham.<br>Manager
Vic Akers was bitterly disappointed. ``We played
poorly, that was it,'' he said.<br>''The conditions were
poor and we never really reacted to that. We conceded
two bad goals but overall our general play was
poor.'' The opening goal came after 17 minutes when
Belles striker Jody Handley collected a long
through-ball, rounded the keeper and calmly slotted
home.<br>The home side increased their lead five minutes
before the break when Karen Burke hit a cross-cum-shot,
which somehow found it's way into the back of the
net.<br>Some dogged work by Arsenal after the interval was
eventually rewarded with a goal for Marieanne Spacey on 54
minutes but resolute defending by the Yorkshire side
ensured their place in the semi-finals where they will
meet<br>Tranmere Rovers. Manager Julie Chipchase was obviously
delighted to get one over on their closest rivals,
especially in the cup and said: ``The FA Cup is the
biggest<br>cup competition in the women's game. ''To be honest
we always want to win the league and league cup but
the FA Cup<br>has this thing about it, so winning
that would be the one to get really and the victory
today has put us one step nearer.''

Whilst playing in a five-a-side training match
earlier this week, England and Tranmere Rovers winger Sue
Smith suffered a horrific fall which resulted in the
player breaking her right leg. The injury was further
complicated by dislocating her ankle and consequently tearing
all of the ankle's ligaments.<br><br>Smith was a sure
starter in Hope Powell's England team to face Portugal on
February 24th and the injury is a certain blow to
England's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in
2003.<br><br>Smith, a student in her final year at Liverpool's Edge
Hill University, will not be able to play for the rest
of the season and possibly into the start of next
season through her injury. She will now have to undergo
intensive physiotherapy once the injury has
healed.<br><br>Tranmere Rovers manager Steve Williams said "We all feel
for Sue, not only will the injury be a blow for
England in the World Cup Qualifiers and the Algarve Cup,
we were hoping for a fine performance in Tranmere
Rover's FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday against Oldham
Curzon. Now the players will be hoping to win the game
for Sue.<br><br>She will now be getting the best of
treatment not only from the physiotherapist here at
Tranmere, but also from the England physio. We all feel for
her as she has only missed five matches in the last
six or seven years. We all will miss her and wish her
a speedy recovery."<br><br>The England star has
until now been virtually injury free and we can only
assume what she must be feeling with such important
games on the horizon. We at europeanwomenssoccer.com
wish her all the best and hope that she recovers
quickly.

February 17th <br>AXA FA Cup 5th Round
<br>Garswood Saints 3-2 Enfield <br>At the fourth time of
asking, Garswood moved into the quarter-finals in this
tie which was switched to Enfield's Southgate ground,
after three postponements in the North West. But the
Combination side pushed them all the way and even went ahead
from a Kelly Townsend free-kick on 9 minutes. Garswood
fought back to lead 2-1 before Sam Buffery levelled on
69 minutes, only for Saints to snatch victory 2
minutes in to injury-time. "We were really up for it and
I thought we'd nick it," said Enfield's Katrina
Moore. However, more cup action awaits Enfield, as they
meet Barnet on wednesday in the Middlesex Cup
semi-final at the Town Mead Leisure Park in Waltham Abbey,
kick-off 7.45. <br><br>AXA FA Cup quarter-finals
<br>Doncaster Belles 2-1 Arsenal <br>Doncaster Belles beat
Arsenal for the first time in two years to book a
semi-final clash with Tranmere Rovers. They had built a 2-0
lead by the break and although Marieanne Spacey turned
in a cross at the back post early in the
second-half, Doncaster held out. Becky Easton set up the
opener for Jody Handley, with a ball over the defence on
22 minutes and a cross-cum-shot from Karen Burke
doubled the lead on 35 minutes. A delighted Belles
manager, Julie Chipchase, said "they put us under pressure
we defended well and added a few chances of our own.
We we're on top of our game, played as a team and
stopped them from playing balls into the channels, where
they can hurt you." <br><br>Tranmere Rovers 6-1 Oldham
Curzon <br>Despite Sue Smith's abscence with a broken
leg, Tranmere notched up half-a-dozen goals against
Oldham. "A lot of people though we would miss Sue today,
so we were more fired up because of that", said
Tranmere manager, Steve Williams. Oldham played well in
the first-half but had to wait until 10 minutes from
time for a consolation goal. Jodie Taylor claimed a
hat-trick, Kelly Burns a brace and Vicky McLeod one.

The Carolina Courage’s Canadian striker Silvana
Burtini announced her retirement today from her home in
Williams Lake, B.C. Burtini, 33, tallied four goals and
two assists for the Courage in 2001, including the
very first goal in franchise history. <br>“It is with
mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from
professional soccer,” said Burtini, in a prepared statement.
“Although this was probably the most difficult decision of
my life, I believe it is the correct decision for my
family and me. I look forward to a new and challenging
career, but I will miss my former teammates, friends, and
Courage fans immensely. <br><br>"I am grateful for the
opportunity given to me by the Carolina Courage to play in
WUSA's inaugural season and will continue to support the
Courage organization. I wish Carolina a very successful
2002 season.” <br><br>Burtini was a prolific
goal-scorer for the Canadian national team, scoring 35 goals
in 61 international matches. She also holds the FIFA
record for most goals scored in a full international
women’s soccer game. Burtini notched eight goals, all in
one half, against Puerto Rico in the 1998 CONCACAF
Championships. <br><br>“Silvana's retirement will be a great
loss for the Courage and for women's soccer,” said
Carolina Courage head coach Marcia McDermott. “She was a
tremendous asset to this organization and a great
professional on and off the field. I am glad that I got to
work with Silvana for a year and wish her only the
best in her next career. She will be missed.”
<br><br>The addition of four players in Monday’s 2002 WUSA
draft had brought the Carolina Courage roster to 18
players. The retirement of Silvana Burtini reduces that
number to 17 and opens up a second international space
on the Courage roster.

The FA has confirmed that the final of this
season’s AXA FA Women’s Premier League Cup will take place
on Sunday April 7th at Wycombe Wanderers FC,
kick-off 12noon. Professional outfit Fulham, who are
unbeaten this season, will meet Birmingham City.
<br><br>Wycombe hosted an England women’s international in 1998,
with visitors Romania losing 2-1, and the club were
keen to host another fixture. Last season’s final was
held at Chester City FC and attracted a crowd of 2,500
and Wycombe will be promoting the game within the
local area to try to achieve a record attendance.
<br><br>Wycombe Manager Lawrie Sanchez said: “Once again our club
has been honoured by The Football Association by
staging the Women’s Premier League Cup Final here. The
Adams Park pitch is renowned for its great playing
surface and the club has a reputation for putting these
events on. Birmingham City v Fulham will be a big
attraction for fans and I feel sure there will be a good
turn out for the game. <br><br>“I have not seen too
much of women’s football, but what I have seen has
been of a high standard and skilful. Anyone who has
not seen a live match involving women should make a
date to come to see this game, they will be surprised
by how good these girls are.” <br><br>Wanderers
player and Canada international Mark Rogers is looking
forward to attending the game. “My wife Lynn plays
regularly for Denham Ladies and it something we are very
used to. Back home, women’s football is huge in North
America. Since we have been over here, the game has got
bigger and the standard has gone up. The Wanderers have
a ladies team and Lynn did start out with them, but
she has been playing for some time and has attained a
very good level. <br><br>“For Adams Park to be awarded
this event is great. We shall be here to watch and I
am sure there will be a big crowd wanting to see the
match.” <br><br>Both Birmingham and Fulham play outside
the top flight, but look likely to play in the
Women’s Premier League next season as they lead the
Northern and Southern Divisions respectively. This season
will be the first ever time where both teams have
beaten top flight opposition to contest a final.
<br><br>Birmingham have only lost one game themselves this season –
to Fulham in the FA Cup Fifth Round. They did make
an early victory though when they won the toss to
have the home dressing room for the final, while
Fulham will reside in the away changing rooms.
<br><br>Tickets go on sale for the fixture on Monday, priced at
£3 for adults and £1 for under-16s and OAPs. Tickets
will be on sale at the gate, subject to interest, but
it is advisable to buy them in advance from the
ticket hotline on 01494 441118.

The England senior squad (check out the news
archive for full squad listing) will meet up next Tuesday
evening to prepare for their fourth qualifier in the 2003
World Cup campaign. There has been one withdrawal from
the squad, Sue Smith of Tranmere Rovers with a broken
leg; she was, however, suspended from the game after
receiving two bookings in qualifying so far. Arsenal
striker Angie Banks will be promoting the game, to be
played at Fratton Park, in Portsmouth on Tuesday. Banks
will be attending a local school, giving advice to
young players and fielding a question and answer
session. The team will be staying in Southampton, and
there will be open training and a press conference on
Wednesday 20th February. To attend either event, please
contact Bev Ward on 0207 745 4716 or 07970 237082.
<br><br>Ticket sales for the game versus Portugal are going well
with over 7,000 having been snapped up in the first
few weeks available. Entry costs just £3 for adults
and £1 for the under-16s and OAPs. The turnstiles
will open at 4.00pm and there will be entertainment,
with the game kicking off at 5.30pm. The match will be
televised live on Sky Sports. For more details, contact
Portsmouth FC’s ticket hotline on 02392 618777.
<br><br>Meanwhile, England Under-17s and Under-19s met up on Monday
in Colchester for a five-day long training camp. The
camp will allow National Women’s Coach Hope Powell and
Under-19s Head Coach Mo Marley to have a look at the
players for future internationals. <br><br>The US have
just released their Women’s National Team Squad for
the 2002 Algarve Cup, Portugal (March 1-7).
Asignificant absentee is Mia Hamm who is still struggling with
a knee injury and midfielder Aleisha Cramer who has
just undergone minor surgery on a nagging ankle
injury. <br>The squad is as follows. <br><br>No. Player
Pos. Ht. DOB Hometown College Club Caps/Goals
<br><br>Fair, Lorrie M 5-3 08/05/78 Los Altos, Ca. UNC
Philadelphia 93/7 <br>Bryan, Thori D 5-8 04/17/74 Joppatowne,
Md.NC State Sann Jose 58/0 <br>Reddick, Cat D 5-5
02/10/82 Birmingham, Ala. UNC 13/1 <br>Chastain, BrandiD
5-707/21/68 San Jose, Ca. Santa Clara San Jose 147/25
<br>Kluegel, Jena D 5-3 11/02/79 Mahtomedi, Minn. UNC Boston
15/0 <br>MacMillan, Shannon F 5-5 10/07/74 Escondido,
Ca. Portland San Diego 131/39 <br>O'Reilly, Heather F
5-4 01/02/85 East Brunswick, N.J. PDA Splash 0/0
<br>Wagner, Aly M 5-5 08/10/80 San Jose, Ca. Santa Clara 19/6
<br>Foudy, Julie M 5-6 01/23/71 Mission Viejo, Ca. Stanford
San Diego 206/39 <br>Parlow, Cindy F 5-11 05/08/78
Memphis, Tenn. UNC Atlanta 105/46 <br>Lilly, Kristine M
5-4 07/22/71 Wilton, Conn. UNC Boston 232/88
<br>Fawcett, Joy D 5-6 02/08/68 Huntington Beach, Ca. UC
Berkeley San Diego 189/24 <br>Sobrero, Kate D 5-7 08/23/76
Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Notre Dame Boston 71/0 <br>Milbrett,
Tiffeny F 5-2 10/23/72 Portland, Ore. Portland New York
173/87 <br>Hawkins, Devvyn M 5-8 11/29/80 Olympia, Wash.
Santa Clara 5/0 <br>Solo, Hope G 5-9 07/30/81 Richland,
Wash. Washington 7 <br>Slaton, Danielle D 5-6 06/10/80
San Jose, Calif. Santa Clara Carolina 28/1
<br>Fotopoulos, Danielle F 5-10 03/24/76 Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Florida Carolina 27/12 <br>Bivens, Kylie D 5-5 10/24/78
Upland, Ca. Santa Clara Atlanta 2/0 <br>Beene, LaKeysia G
5-8 03/09/78 Gold River, Ca. Notre Dame San Jose 8

Fighting to extend their stay in the Premier
League beyond just the one season, Manchester City have
secured the signature of Emma Davies. The midfielder has
14 caps for Wales and joins from Liverpool, having
also had National Division experience. About his new
acquisition, City manager John Stanhope said "we're serious
about staying up and we needed to bring in a player
that will do the job".

The 2002 WUSA Draft got underway at the Sunrise
Hilton in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., when the Carolina
Courage used their first pick to draft defender Danielle
Slaton of Santa Clara. The Washington Freedom chose
Florida forward Abby Wambach as the draft's second
overall pick, and the Boston Breakers selected midfielder
Jena Kluegel. <br>Stay tuned for complete
results.<br><br><br>2001 WUSA Draft<br><br><br>First Round<br>1. Carolina
Courage - Danielle Slaton, Defender, Santa Clara<br>2.
Washington Freedom - Abby Wambach, Forward, Florida<br>3.
Boston Breakers - Jena Kluegel, Midfielder, North
Carolina<br>4. San Diego Spirit - Lori Lindsey, Midfielder,
Virginia<br>5. Philadelphia Charge - Stacey Tullock, Midfielder,
Arizona State<br>6. New York Power- Minna Mustonen,
Forward, Franklin Pierce College/Boston Renegades<br>7.
Atlanta Beat - Anna Kraus, Defender, Santa Clara<br>8.
San Jose CyberRays - Danielle Borgman, Defender,
North Carolina<br><br><br>Second Round<br>9. Carolina
Courage - Katie Barnes, Forward, West Virginia<br>10.
Washington Freedom - Casey Zimny, Defender,
Connecticut<br>11. Boston Breakers - Monica Gonzalez, Defender,
Notre Dame<br>12. San Diego Spirit - Amy Sauer,
Defender, Stanford<br>13. Philadelphia Charge -
Mary-Frances Monroe, Forward, UCLA<br>14. New York Power -
Bonnie Young, Defender, Penn State<br>15. New York Power
(in trade with Atlanta) - Meredith Flaherty,
Goalkeeper, Florida<br>16. Philadelphia Charge (in trade with
San Jose) - Andrea Alfiler, Midfielder, Azuza
Pacific<br><br><br>Third Round<br>17. Carolina Courage - Emily Oleksiuk,
Goalkeeper, Penn State<br>18. Washington Freedom - Stephanie
Rigamat, Forward, UCLA<br>19. Boston Breakers - Alexa
Borisjuk, Midfielder, Connecticut<br>20. Carolina Courage
(in previous trade with San Diego) - Meghan Anderson,
Midfielder, Nebraska<br>21. Philadelphia Charge - Katie
Carson, Goalkeeper, Clemson<br>22. New York Power - Sarah
Kate Noftsinger, Midfielder, Wake Forest<br>23.
Atlanta Beat - Nicky Thrasher, Forward, Texas A&M<br>24.
San Jose CyberRays - Alice Gleason, Goalkeeper,
UNLV<br><br><br>Fourth Round<br>25. San Diego Spirit - Amy Kofoed,
Forward, Utah<br>26. Washington Freedom - Justine Fisher,
Midfielder, US Naval Academy<br>27. Boston Breakers - Kristin
Slater, Goalkeeper, Arizona State<br>28. San Diego Spirit
- Shelley Finger, Goalkeeper, North Carolina<br>29.
Philadelphia Charge - Karyn Hall, Defender, Florida<br>30. New
York Power - Erin Gilhart, Defender, Florida<br>31.
Atlanta Beat - Kristin DePlatchett, Goalkeeper, North
Carolina<br>32. San Jose CyberRays - Linnea Quinones, Goalkeeper,
San Diego State

WUSA, America’s women’s professional league, is
shaping up for season two. The full 84-match draw was
released last week, and kicks off 13 April, this time all
eight teams to open their season on the same day.
<br><br>In a move to improve the draw for spectators,
eighty-three percent of matches will be played on weekends or
holidays, compared to last year’s 71 percent. Sixty-three
percent of all games are on Saturdays, found to be the
most attractive day for fans in 2001, with 39 percent
bigger crowds than the season average of 8,104.
<br><br>Each team will play each other team three times, and
the draw has been made to ensure that those who
played one less home game last year, are given the extra
home tie this time around. The final is scheduled for
24 August at a venue to be determined.
<br><br>Meanwhile, with pre-season training commencing shortly,
there has been a flurry of international signings over
the past three weeks to fill any vacancies within the
limit of four foreign players per team. <br><br>Foreign
players recently signed up for their first season in the
league are – <br>Pu Wei (China) and Steffi Jones
(Germany, American dual citizen) to Washington Freedom.
Zhao Lihong (China) and Marinette Pichon (France) to
Philadelphia Charge, <br>Wang Lipang (China) to Atlanta Beat,
Birgit Prinz (Germany) to Carolina Courage, Ragnhild
Gulbrandsen (Norway) to Boston Breakers. One last player
draft of mainly college graduates and American amateur
players is being conducted this Monday. <br><br>FREEDOM
HAVE TO GET KLUEGEL!!!!!!

Dundee University Womens Football team won the
Scottish Winter Cup, remaining unbeaten in their final
sectional games at Riverside. Despite drawing their first
game versus Glasgow, the girls took command beating
higher division sides Edinburgh (1-0) and Aberdeen (2-1)
to ensure a top place finish. Heather 'Simple' Emans
proved to be the goal hero with 2 close range efforts
and a wonderfully 30 yard volley but the whole team
played well in all 3 games. <br><br>Their coach Dave
Elder commented afterwards " Our recent link-up with
Dundee FC and Dundee FC Ladies has given the team a
great boost and the performances today deserve lots of
praise. They all worked really hard and I hope that this
victory encourages more female students to take up
football".

Bangor City's Siwan Elenid joins broken leg
victim Manon Lloyd Williams in being out for the rest of
the season. But the midfielder has a better reason
for her abscence, a three month trip to Australia!
<br>Bangor do have Tania Jones back in the side, having been
out of action since the end of last season and has
been greatly missed. Meanwhile, Manon Lloyd Williams
has begun her rehabilitation and is on course to
start playing again next season.

The best college players in the United States
will be showcasing their skills this weekend in
preparation for the Women's United Soccer Association Draft
on February 11 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. <br>The
four-round WUSA Draft will take place Monday morning at 9:00
am ET at the Sunrise Hilton in Fort Lauderdale.
<br><br>The 2002 WUSA Draft.<br>-- Four-round player draft of
top college and amateur talent, Monday, February 11,
9:00 am ET at the Sunrise Hilton (Ballroom) in
Sunrise, Fla. <br>- A complete list of draft eligible
players follows at the end of this article.<br>-- For
complete coverage and real-time updates during the WUSA
Draft, go to www.WUSA.com.<br>- Teams are permitted
three minutes to make a selection in each round. -
Following the three minutes, clubs may request one,
one-minute grace period per round.<br>- There will be a
three-minute break between rounds.<br><br><br>WUSA Draft
Order<br>First Round<br>1. Carolina<br>2. Washington<br>3.
Boston<br>4. San Diego<br>5. Philadelphia<br>6. New York<br>7.
Atlanta<br>8. San Jose<br><br>Second Round<br>1. Carolina 9.
<br>2. Washington 10. <br>3. Boston 11. <br>4. San Diego
12. <br>5. Philadelphia 13. <br>6. New York 14.
<br>7. Atlanta 15. <br>8. San Jose 16. <br><br><br>Third
Round<br>1. Carolina 17. <br>2. Washington 18. <br>3. Boston
19. 4. Carolina (from San Diego) 20. <br>5.
Philadelphia 21. <br>6. New York 22. <br>7. Atlanta 23. <br>8.
San Jose 24. <br><br><br>Fourth Round<br>1. San Diego
(from Carolina) 25. <br>2. Washington 26. <br>3. Boston
27. <br>4. San Diego 28. <br>5. Philadelphia 29.
<br>6. New York 30. <br>7. Atlanta 31. <br>8. San Jose
32

The Carolina Courage and the Capital Area Soccer
League (CASL) officially announced on Friday that the
7,000 seat, state-of-the-art stadium at the State
Capital Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina will become
the new home for the Carolina Courage of the Women’s
United Soccer Association. <br>Jerome Ramsey, President
and General Manager of the Carolina Courage, made the
announcement at the BTI Center for the Performing Arts in
downtown Raleigh. <br><br>“This is a historic day for the
Carolina Courage,” said Ramsey. “Without question, this
facility will be the premier soccer-specific venue in the
Southeast. Most importantly, this stadium will serve as the
ideal setting to showcase our athletes and provide our
fans with the greatest sports entertainment product
anywhere.” <br><br>Head Coach Marcia McDermott emphasized
the significance of having dedicated facilities.
<br><br>“Now players like Hege Riise and Carla Overbeck, as
well as our newest team member Birgit Prinz, will be
coming to work every day in an environment that is as
professional as they are.” <br><br>The State Capital Soccer
Park will be fully ADA-compliant and offer amenities
such as luxury boxes, permanent restrooms, concession
and merchandise areas, and on-site parking for 2,606
vehicles. The complex also features three FIFA-regulated
championship game fields. The stadium field is equipped with a
under soil drainage system that allows for the removal
of 1 inch of water per hour. There are 6 camera
positions in the stadium and a lighting system to enhance
national television broadcasts. The stadium is projected
to be complete in April before the start of the 2002
WUSA season. <br><br>Time Warner Cable, the WUSA
investor-operator of the Carolina Courage, is also making a
significant capital investment commitment to the upgrading of
the State Capital Soccer Park.

The U.S. under-21 women's national team completed
its first action of the year last weekend with the
second of two matches against the full Mexican women's
national team. The team posted a 1-0 win in Juarez,
Mexico, a reverse of the first result, a 1-0 U.S. loss in
Chihuahua, Mexico. <br>Following a short training camp at
the ARCO U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista,
Calif., from Jan. 25-28, the U-21s, led by head coach
Jerry Smith, travelled to Mexico for matches on January
31 and February 2. <br><br>Mexico scored the first
game’s only goal in the 86th minute, when Maribel
Dominguez struck a free kick from the top of the box into
the upper left corner of the goal. U.S. goalkeeper
Hope Solo suffered a gruesome and freakish injury on
the play when her right forearm slammed against the
goalpost, catching on a hook used to secure the net and
opening a deep, four-inch gash on her arm. <br><br>The
U.S. team performed much better in the second leg,
compiling a 12-3 edge in shots and 13-1 in corner kicks.
Midfielder Joanna Lohman, a Penn State sophomore, recorded
the USA's lone goal, scoring after UCLA's Nandi Pryce
sent in a bending cross from the left flank. Lohman
timed her run and short-hopped her shot into the lower
left corner from 16 yards out.

The National Soccer Hall of Fame unveiled a new
exhibit on January 25 honoring the inaugural FIFA Women’s
Player of the Year, Mia Hamm. <br>“What could be more
appropriate for the National Soccer Hall of Fame than to
honor a player of Mia’s caliber. She epitomizes why any
Hall of Fame exists – to spotlight the achievements of
those who have earned national and international
recognition. It is our privilege to have her National Team
jersey on display,” Will Lunn, President/CEO stated.
FIFA, the international governing body for soccer, has
awarded Male Player of the Year honors since 1991. The
FIFA Women’s Player of the Year Award made its debut
this year. <br><br>The exhibit, included in the
MLS/WUSA Gallery, features Mia’s current US National Team
jersey. <br><br>“We hosted Mia this past fall at the
Induction 2001 ceremonies. She received the National Soccer
Medal of Honor for her role in the 1991 FIFA World
Championship for Women, which the US won, and she played in
the Washington Freedom v. Boston Breakers Hall of
Fame Game,” Jack Huckel, Director of Museum Services
said. <br><br>“We unveiled the WUSA Gallery that
weekend also and the entire Hall of Fame staff was
touched by the positive reviews it received from the WUSA
players present and the over 3,000 fans on campus that
day. Adding this special exhibit to the Gallery is
important to all the fans who will visit our Museum in
2002.” <br><br>The National Soccer Hall of Fame is open
every day of the year, except Thanksgiving, Christmas,
and New Year’s. Admission is $8 for adults, $6.50 for
children, and $5.50 for senior citizens. Each admission
includes a Kicks Zone game card for the Museum’s
interactive displays. New this year are International
Shootout and Football Power, a video game which requires
the players to kick a soccer ball to pass or shoot
while controlling the direction with the traditional
joystick control. <br><br>The National Soccer Hall of Fame
was originally established by the Philadelphia Old
Timers Association in 1950 to honor the sport’s greatest
contributors on and off the field. The Hall subsequently moved
to Oneonta, New York where the first interim museum
opened in 1979. The new $7 million museum opened in 1999
on the Hall’s 61 acre soccer campus and tells the
story of soccer in the USA from the earliest games
played on Boston Common to the latest scores and
standings. <br><br>Rare artifacts include the world’s oldest
soccer ball and the FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy. In
addition to the Museum, the Hall of Fame complex boasts an
interactive Kicks Game Zone, a gift shop, library, office and
meeting facilities. The campus’ four world class soccer
fields were honored with the 2000 “Best in the Nation”
award by the American Field Turf Managers Association.
<br><br>They have been host to international teams from the
USA, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, New Zealand, Canada,
Chile and Saudi Arabia as well as local collegiate and
high school championships. The Hall of Fame also
offers a summer long tournament series for premier and
club teams in every age category.

National Women’s Coach Hope Powell has selected
her squad for the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup
qualifier against Portugal on Feb 24th. The squad sees
Fulham defender Mary Phillip (pictured) recalled to the
international scene after a long break and her midfield
club-mate Rachel McArthur has retained her place after
impressing on the week-long winter training camp in La Manga
last month. <br><br>The squad sees many regular faces
return, with a place for Sue Smith even though she will
be forced to sit out the game at Portsmouth FC’s
Fratton Park due to a suspension. 17-year-old Charlton
Athletic midfielder Fara Williams is also included in the
24-player squad <br><br>There is no room, however, for
Doncaster Belles midfielders Gemma Hunt and Becky Easton.
<br><br>England sit in third place in the group, behind runaway
leaders Germany, and their next opponents Portugal. Three
points are vital in Powell’s quest to finish in second
place and qualify for the play-offs. The finals of the
tournament will take place in September 2003 in China.
<br><br>Squad in full: Pauline Cope – Charlton Athletic, Rachel
Brown – University of Pittsburgh, USA, Leanne Hall –
Doncaster Belles, Layla Young – Brighton & Hove Albion,
Kirsty Pealling – Arsenal, Faye White – Arsenal, Casey
Stoney – Arsenal, Katie Chapman – Fulham, Julie Fletcher
– Arsenal, Rachel Unitt – Fulham, Mary Phillip –
Fulham, Rachel McArthur – Fulham, Karen Burke – Doncaster
Belles, Aran Embleton – Sunderland, Sammy Britton – Leeds
United, Fara Williams – Charlton Athletic, Carly Hunt –
Doncaster Belles, Tara Proctor – Charlton Athletic, Vicky
Exley – Doncaster Belles, Sue Smith – Tranmere Rovers,
Rachel Yankey – Fulham, Karen Walker – Doncaster Belles,
Amanda Barr – Everton, Kelly Smith – Philadephia Charge,
USA, Angie Banks – Arsenal <br><br>Ticket sales for
the game are going well with over 6,000 having been
snapped up in the first few weeks available. Entry costs
just £3 for adults and £1 for the under-16s and OAPs.
The turnstiles will open at 4.00pm and there will be
entertainment before the game kicks-off at 5.30pm. The match
will be televised live on Sky Sports. For more
details, contact the ticket hotline on 02392 618777.

The Australian women's national team made a clean
sweep of the three-match Australia Cup a 4-1 victory
over South Korea on Jan. 19 in Bendigo. The Matildas
were tested by the Koreans until their captain was
sent off early in the second-half. <br>Although
Australia had already claimed the silverware with two
single-goal wins in Wagga Wagga and Albury, there was no
shortage of passion or determination in tonight's fiery
clash. <br><br>The Matildas kicked off in attacking mode
with a shot in the opening seconds, and continued to
pressure the opposition goal for most of the first half.
Heather Garriock carved her way up the left flank
numerous times, placing heavy pressure on the Korean
defence with her dangerous crosses. <br><br>The home side
was finally rewarded in the 29th minute from a
through ball up the middle of the park. Korean defender
Kim Yoo Mi tried to head the bouncing ball down to
her keeper, only for April Mann to stab her foot at
the loose ball into the back of the net. Mann
celebrated her third goal in just six appearances.
<br><br>The goal however seemed to lift Korea, the visitors
launching some attacks of their own. Four minutes from
half-time, they snatched an equalizer, their first goal of
the tournament. Substitute Jung Jung Suk deflected
the ball in from close range after the corner kick
was not cleared by the home defense. <br><br>With
play still even, the turning point of the game
occurred thirteen minutes into the second term when Korean
midfielder You Young Sil was shown the red card for a
retaliation foul on Joanne Peters. Korea was unable to cope
without their leader and the Matildas took complete
control of the play from that moment on. <br><br>Midway
through the half, a fantastic Peters cross from the left
deep to the far post was met with a neat side volley
by Kelly Golebiowski, her first international goal
and one to reclaim the lead. Alison Forman set up the
Matildas' third in the 75th minute with a long diagonal
ball from half-way, falling perfectly for Sharon Black
who drove low from the left inside the near post.
Rubbing salt into Korea's wounds, Australia posted
another again four minutes later, Garriock this time the
scorer, the ball looping over the keeper. <br><br>Both
midfielder Zoe Nolan and goalkeeper Cassandra Kell came in
off the bench in the second half to make their
international debuts. <br><br>Matildas Coach Adrian Santrac was
delighted with the performance and felt confident of a win
even without the send-off, "With our speed and power,
we felt we'd eventually wear them down, and I still
think that would have happened. A send-off does not
necessarily always work against that team - there was still a
job to do and our girls made it happen."
<br><br>"Once we got the second goal, that was the end - they
were never going to come back from that. We closed off
the game and rounded out very strongly. We've had the
best start possible to our new campaign with this
series - starting on a winning note." <br><br>Australia
: Nichols (Kell 75), Wainwright, Salisbury, Tann,
Bartlett, Davies (Thomson 85), Forman [c] (McShea 80),
Peters (Nolan 72), Garriock, Black, Mann (Golebiowski
46).

The Philadelphia Charge bolstered their offense
with the signing of a pair of international players
Tuesday, as the club agreed to terms with Chinese national
team midfielder Zhao Lihong and French national team
forward/midfielder Marinette Pichon. <br>The signings fill the two
empty spots for international players on the Charge’s
roster and add much needed experience to Philadelphia’s
relatively young squad. The two newest members of the Charge
have combined to score over 60 goals in over 170
international matches. <br><br>Zhao has been a member of her
country’s national team since 1992 and was on the team that
lost to the United States in the 1999 Women’s World
Cup final. The 29-year-old native of Henan, China had
a goal and two assists in the tournament, earning
all-star team honors, and joins fellow countrywoman Liu
Ailing on the Charge roster. <br><br>“Lihong is an
excellent player,” Charge Head Coach Mark Krikorian said.
“Her work ethic is first class. She has the ability to
create scoring chances and I expect her to have a huge
and immediate impact on this team.” <br><br>Zhao, who
has 120 international caps, has scored over 30 goals
for China’s national team. She is a two-time Gold
medallist at the Asian Games and a Gold medallist at the
Universiade Games in ‘93. Zhao is also a four-time winner of
the Asian Championships and earned Most Valuable
Player honors at the ’93 Asian Cup. <br><br>She has been
with Guangdong FC since ‘88, playing on the ‘91
championship club and on nine runner-up squads. <br><br>Pichon
has been a member of France’s national team since
’94, appearing in over 50 games for her country while
also scoring 30 goals. The 26-year-old
forward/midfielder will team with current Charge forwards Mandy
Clemens and Kelly Smith, who is a member of England’s
national team, to provide a dangerous scoring punch.
<br><br>“Marinette is a very technical player who is capable of
scoring a lot of goals,” Krikorian said. “She should make
an instant impact on our team and I expect her to
provide a wealth of experience to our midfield.”
<br><br>Although Zhao and Pichon have signed player contracts with
the WUSA, their signings are contingent on the
finalization of their official work visas. The process is
expected to be completed in the near future.

The Canada Under-19 national team had trouble
training in Vancouver due to the unexpected snowfall. The
16 players which attended the West Camp were forced
to train indoors and were unable to play the Burnaby
Canadians Anduccis on January 27. <br>Canada did play the
University of British Columbia on Saturday, January 26, and
won 4-0. Scoring for Canada was Erin MacCallum (38),
Erin MacCallum (52), Wanda Rozwadowska (60) and Katie
Thorlakson (64). <br><br>"Since Saturday we have had to
train indoors and modify our training and game
schedules," said Ian Bridge, head coach. "With cooperation
from Mark Parker and BC Soccer, Bob Birarda of Total
Soccer Systems, and Dick Mosher at UBC, we have been
able to complete a valuable training camp during an
important phase of our preparations for the U-19 World
Championships." <br><br>Canada's Lineup: Jessica Hussey (GK),
Heather Smith, Sasha Andrews, Clare Rustad, Christina
Kahlina (Nicky Darling, 68), Kate Sloan (Nikki Wojtowicz,
45), Wanda Rozwadowska, Brittany Timko, Erin MacCallum
(Carey Gustafson, 68), Jolene Schweitzer (Katie
Thorlakson, 45), Danielle Fauteau (Tera Kasubuchi, 58)

Birmingham City have increased their hopes of
promotion to the National Division by securing two new
signings. England U19 international Jo Potter switches from
Sheffield Wednesday, joined by Sarah Woolliscroft, who
includes Arsenal and Doncaster Belles amongst her former
clubs.

South Africa won the first leg in the semi-finals
of the African Qualifyiers for the U19 World Cup,
2-0 against the Central African Republic. <br>In
other international action, Portugal lost 2-1 to Russia
in the Tejo Valley International event, where
Yugoslavia also beat Greece, 1-0.