June 4, 2003
ATLANTA - The Women's United Soccer Association unveiled the starting lineups for the American Stars and World Stars teams that will compete in the 2003 Hyundai WUSA All-Star Game in Cary, N.C. on June 19 at 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Former Bronco Aly Wagner becomes the youngest All-Start starter in the three-year history of the league with her selection, while Brandi Chastain '91 will also represent Santa Clara University on the roster.
The All-Star Game will be televised on ESPN2 and will provide a World Cup preview as all of the top players who are expected to compete in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup will be in Cary for the three-day event.
Headlining the list for the American Stars is Washington's Mia Hamm, Boston's Kristine Lilly, Atlanta's Briana Scurry, San Diego's Julie Foudy and 2002 Hyundai All-Star MVP Abby Wambach. San Jose's Sissi, Carolina's Birgit Prinz and 2002 WUSA Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year Marinette Pichon of the Philadelphia Charge lead the World Stars.
Washington and Atlanta each placed four players on the starting lineups, while San Jose, San Diego, Boston and Carolina have three starters. Philadelphia and New York have one representative each to round out the starting lineups.
Fans, WUSA coaches/general managers and a media panel selected the All-Star starters. Each group's total votes represented 33.3 percent of the total. Five additional reserve players will be announced on June 9. The reserve players will be selected by the two All-Star head coaches in conjunction with WUSA Commissioner Tony DiCicco.
Washington Freedom Head Coach Jim Gabarra (American Stars) and Atlanta Beat Head Coach Tom Stone (World Stars) will serve as the head coaches of the two WUSA All-Star teams.
Twenty of the 22 All-Star starters are expected to take part in the 2003 Women's World Cup in September and October. 10 of the 11 starters named to the American squad will likely suit up for the defending World Champions. If Mexico and Japan qualify, 10 of 11 starters on the World squad will be members of their respective teams.
WUSA All-Star Game tickets can be purchased at all Triangle area Kroger and Hecht's stores or by calling (919) 573-7626. Tickets are also available by calling Ticketmaster at (919) 834-4000 or by going on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. Individual tickets to the WUSA All-Star Game are priced from $13-$35.
Complete bios for both rosters can be found on www.wusa.com.
Brandi Chastain D SAN JOSE CYBERRAYS 5-7 July 21, 1968 SAN JOSE, Calif.
One of the most recognizable figures in women's soccer, Chastain is one of the WUSA's most versatile players ... In 2002, she saw action at forward (where she played in college) and in her regular role as a defender ... Chastain was named to the 2002 All-WUSA Second Team and was a starter on the North squad at the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game ... ... A member of the U.S. national team since 1988, Chastain is best known for her heroics in the 1999 Women's World Cup when she scored the game-winning penalty kick in the championship match against China ... She was also a member of the U.S. national team that won the first women's world soccer championship in 1991 and the first women's Olympic gold medal in soccer in 1996 ... The fifth oldest player in the WUSA, Chastain is expected to start for the U.S. at the 2003 Women's World Cup.
Aly Wagner M SAN DIEGO SPIRIT 5-5 Aug. 10, 1980 SAN JOSE, Calif.
Soccer America calls her the most gifted playmaker the United States has produced ... Wagner was the first selection in the 2003 WUSA Draft and is a key reason why San Diego is enjoying its best start in club history ... The 22-year-old Santa Clara University product has secured her position as the U.S. national team's creative playmaker and is expected to start on the World Cup team this fall ... Wagner was a high school teammate of 2002 WUSA Defender of the Year Danielle Slaton of the Carolina Courage ... Only 22, she has 43 caps and 10 goals for the U.S. national team ... The youngest All-Star starter, Wagner is the only member of the American stars that did not play in the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game in Portland.