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May 25, 2000
The cities where
the first 24 U.S. National Team members will be playing in the first
year of the WUSA Professional league and their comments
Atlanta
Briana Scurry, Cindy Parlow, Nikki Serlenga
"I'm
thrilled at the chance to play in such a great sports town as Atlanta,"
said Briana Scurry. "What I'm looking forward to most is the challenge
of defending my goal against such superstars as Mia Hamm and Brandi
Chastain."
Boston
Kristine Lilly, Kate Sobrero, Tracy Ducar
Kristine
Lilly, the "Ironwoman" of the U.S. National team, who made history
on May 7, 2000 when she appeared in her 200th game for the United
States, becoming the first player in international soccer history,
man or woman, to play 200 games for their country, is looking forward
to starting a new streak in the WUSA. "Boston is a great city and
I'm looking forward to being ready to take on all challengers for
as long as I can be a member of the WUSA," noted Lilly.
New York
Tiffeny Milbrett, Sara Whalen, Christie Pearce
"To
have the opportunity to play in New York, the biggest market and
city in the world, is an unbelievable feeling," says Tiffeny Milbrett.
"The WUSA will now have its chance to make its own sports history
in the Big Apple."
Orlando
Michelle Akers, Danielle Fotopoulos, Tiffany Roberts
"Playing
in my hometown of Orlando is a dream come true," said Michelle Akers.
"The Orlando community has been a cherished part of my life, from
my collegiate days at the University of Central Florida through
my career as a member of the U.S. National team. I look forward
to playing alongside Danielle Fotopoulos and Tiffany Roberts and
making Orlando the team to beat in the WUSA."
Philadelphia
Lorrie Fair, Saskia Webber, Mandy Clemens
"As
a lifelong resident of California, I'm looking forward to getting
the chance to play and experience life on the east coast in Philadelphia,"
observed Lorrie Fair, U.S. Soccer's Chevrolet Youth Player of the
Year in 1999. "It will be exciting playing with individuals like
Mandy Clemens, the Hermann Trophy and Missouri Athletic Club Player
of the Year last year, and world champion and two-time World Cup
veteran Saskia Webber."
San Diego
Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Shannon MacMillan
"While
it will be odd having to face my long-time teammates, I look forward
to the excitement that the WUSA will bring to professional sports,"
said Julie Foudy. "This is truly going to be the start of something
bigger than anyone ever imagined."
San Francisco
Bay Area
Brandi
Chastain, Tisha Venturini, Lakeysia Beene
Brandi Chastain
was thrilled about her placement with the San Francisco Bay Area
market team. "Being part of the San Francisco Bay Area team is
a dream come true. Growing up a bay area soccer fan, I am thrilled
with the opportunity to give my community the best soccer in the
world on a weekly basis."
Washington
D.C.
Mia Hamm, Siri Mullinix, Michelle French
"I'm
excited to play in the Washington D.C. area because it has such
a wonderful soccer tradition and it will be nice to be back in the
community where I spent my high school years," said Mia Hamm. "It's
also going to be exciting having such outstanding young players
as Siri Mullinix and Michelle French as teammates. The fans in the
nation's capital are really going to love watching them play."
Other news
The
initial 24-players includes a number of young stars who have signed
letters of intent with the WUSA, Mandy Clemens, Lakeysia Beene,
Michelle French and Siri Mullinix, in addition to all of the members
of the 1999 World Cup champions. Carla Overbeck, U.S. National team
captain, may elect to sit out the first year of WUSA play due to
family considerations. In addition to the WUSA founding players,
the 1999 U.S. Women's World Cup team, the WUSA has also signed letters
of intent with more than 100 domestic and international players.
The WUSA plans on holding a team dispersal draft for these players
following this year's Olympics.
Chairman
Hendrick's comment
"In determining the initial allocation of players, the WUSA Board
of Governors looked in most cases to assign the players to markets
where they were already well-known, either as hometown heroes
or through their collegiate playing careers," said Hendricks.
"As a result, each of the eight initial WUSA markets are assured
of having three outstanding athletes as their foundation players."
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