Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 36

-o s- 1 1 4c TIMES SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2001 SOCCER mens soccer dream comes frue Wo IP The WUSA culminates a decade of growth from virtually nothing to a new pro league. By RODNEY PAGE Tlm Staff Writer i 1 v. Women's United Soccer Association HISTORY: WUSA is the brainchild of John Hendricks, chairman and CEO of Discovery Communications, a cable television company. Hendricks petitioned U.S. Soccer to start the National Soccer Alliance in 1998.

The league never got off the ground, but after the success of the U.S. national team at the 1 999 Women's W5rld Cup, Hendricks was back with a bigger group of investors. Most are from the cable television industry. FINANCIAL BACKING: Hendricks has raised approximately $40-million for the league, which he said is enough to last five years. SALARIES: The average is $40,000, but founding players (those on the U.S.

national team) will earn about double that. The league will operate under a strict salary cap. Teams can't exceed $800,000 in salaries. The league pays all player contracts. PLAYERS: Of the 20 members of the 1 999 U.S.

national team, 19 are playing in WUSA. Michelle Akers was forced to retire because of numerous knee injuries and chronic fatigue syndrome. National team players from world powers China, Brazil and the Netherlands also are on board. SEASON: The regular season is 21 games and runs from April 14through Aug. 12.

TV: Twenty-two games are scheduled on TNT and CNNSI. Compiled by Rodney Page. Ur Mia Hamm of the Washington Freedom, right, just back from shoulder surgery, dribbles against Courtney Beirneofthe University of Maryland in an exhibition on Friday. so many athletes in higher profile leagues, it's not about the money. "This is a dream come true," Carolina Courage forward and former University of Florida player Danielle Fotopoulos said.

"Sometimes I catch myself complaining about having to go to weight training or extra practice, but then I think, Wait a minute, you're getting paid to play a game you That was never possible before. This is a very exciting time." WUSA plans to start slowly. Most of its eight teams will play in small venues. The hope is demand will cause, the league to expand and move into larger stadiums. "Our expectations are modest," Berke said.

"We are hoping to have 7,000 fans in our stadiums for the first year. We are hoping for about a .7 rating (percentage of cable subscribers). What we don't want to be is one of those leagues that comes out of the gates real fast. We want to build our momentum slowly." With a new league comes some pressure as well. At first fans might watch to see what the league is about.

But the quality of play will sustain it for the long haul. Lilly is fully aware of that. "There's always some sort of pressure," said Lilly, who will play for the Boston Breakers. "You want so badly to make this work. You've got to really work at it.

You have to play at a high level, you have to sign the autographs, you have to make the appearances. You have to sell this league, and that's what we're doing." Most of all, the players just want to play soccer. They didn't have a chance to wear a favorite woman soccer player's AP Kristine Lilly looked around Torero Stadium in San Diego, site of the Women's United Soccer Association's first spring training, and couldn't help but smile. Growing up in suburban Connecticut, Lilly was a soccer junkie from the begin- ning. She attended New York Cosmos games in the 1980s, played on just about every national team possible and starred at the University of North Carolina.

Never did Lilly aspire to be a professional, because there was no such thing for women when she was growing up. But slowly, things changed. The U.S. national team won the first Women's World Cup in 1991. Then came a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics.

And finally the push over the top, the 1999 World Cup, which ended with Brandi Chastain's now famous penalty kick against China in the final at a jampacked Rose Bowl. Riding that wave of popularity, WUSA announced in February 2000 it would launch the first Division I women's league in the United States. Fans get their first look at the league Saturday when the San Francisco Bay Area CyberRays visit the Washington Freedom. "The other day we had a picture taken with all the founding (World Cup) players," Lilly said. "I remember thinking, and victory tours.

That convinced sponsors that the time is right. "It helps that we have been able to attract the best players in the world. But we can't just rely on a spike after the World Cup. We're not the NFL right now. We have to build our base." And the players have no problem being pioneers.

Normally, most would be looking for a summer league team and a part-time job. Others would have stayed in college. And still others would have given up on the game completely. Now it's a full-time job. The average salary is $40,000, but to steal a phrase from 'Look at what we've When we were kids we didn't have this opportunity.

Now young girls have something to shoot for." Investors in WUSA most of whom are cable television executives, are banking on the public's recognition of World Cup players. A professional women's soccer league has been in the works for several years, but not until 1999 did investors truly got behind WUSA. "This is something that we thought about launching since 1996," WUSA president Lee Berke said. "Certainly the 1999 World Cup was a catalyst. In the aftermath there have been (player) endorsements jersey when growing up.

They'd like noth- ing more than to hear young players today say they want to be a professional soccer player when they grow up. "I think every girl who's playing in the league right now grew up kicking the ball because they loved it," Philadelphia Charge midfielder Lorrie Fair said. "Kids now look and say, 'Hey, I can make some i money from this; I can make a living doing something I WUSA TEAM-BY-TEAM CAPSULES -1 Atlanta Beat i 1" V--T rjMlnTBTvnE JJU.J JH W)jlJ't IriTTrr.l CTff'Hfflti tr.JOtt. COACH: Tom Stone (former Ail-American at Duke; coached the W-League's Denver Diamonds and was color analyst for MLS club Colorado Rapids.) 'Every Tire Includes 30 Day Ride Guarantee I Free Warranty For Life (most tires) I Free Mounting I Free Lifetime Rotation iiin.ia(mii. World Cup and '96 and 2000 Olympics); MF Shannon MacMillian (reserve for USA at '99 World Cup, but started five games in the 2000 Olympics); Ulrika Karlsson (member of Swedish national team since 1995).

NICKNAME: Selected by the team's front office. If a take off on the St. Louis Spirit. STADIUM: Torero Stadium at the University of San Diego (capacity QUOTE: "If awesome just to be out here," Foudy. WEB SITE: www.sandiegospirit.com San Francisco Bay Area CyberRays OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Danielle Fotopoulus (NCAA's all-time leading scorer with 1 1 8 goals at Florida; played in 17 national team matches in 1999); Wen Lirong (Courage's first pick in the draft, sixth overall; member of Chinese national team since 1991).

NICKNAME: Selected by the franchise and WUSA. Team president Jerome Ramsey: "We chose the name Courage because it embodies what this team is all about. In order to get here they needed plenty of courage." STADIUM: Fetzer Field, Chapel Hill, N.C. (capacity FUN FACT: Raleigh-Durham was not one of the original eight franchise cities. Orlando was unable to secure a stadium, so the franchise moved to North Carolina.

WEB SITE: www.carolinacourage.com New York Power 40,000 Mile Warranty) 4 TIRES FOR ONE LOW PRICE! I i 4FGR Touring and Passenger Tires ttn four Choice: Grenadier LTE or Supreme Si fH 15580R13. '39 fiilt ersa trs P1558OR13 STAR POWER: Briana Scurry will be remembered mainly for her shutout against China in the 1999 Women's World Cup final. She played every minute of every game in the '99 tournament and was named to the World Cup All-Star team. She played at Massachusetts and was named the NCAA's top goalkeeper in 1993. OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Cindy Parlow "-V if ft All other 13" sizes.

s- ammomi'v. All Sizes S9 KmmalMIt All 75" sizes '89 All sizes '79 Bala light Thick Tires 4 FOR P18575R14 P19575R14 P20575R14 Blarfmmif fluff JrM WhttH L121585R18(D' 'SBM P22570R14 UH P20S7SII15 1M COACH: Ian Sawyers (was western regional coach of the Olympic Develop P21575R15 p. ss. P22575R15 U2SBmRW(D)' -'HUM P23S75R1S i 4 FOR 30X9.50X15 P20575R15 P21575R15 P22575R15 COACH: Pat Farmer (coached at Penn State, 1994-2000, was 123-34-8 and won three Big Ten championships). STAR POWER: Tiffeny Milbrettwas the U.S.

national 31X10.50X15 While supplies last, some quantities limited, no dealers Of cany-outs. 11 P23575R15 21 Each Mile Warranty ma mm imm While quantities last. (member of U.S. national team and a star at North Carolina); Sun Wen (top pick in WUSA draft, a 1 0-year member of the Chinese national team and FIFA's "Co-player of the Homare Sawa (captain of the Japanese national team). NICKNAME: Created by the WUSA after an informal survey of team employees and fans.

According to general manager Lynn Morgan: "The Atlanta Beat captures the vibrant personality of our city." STADIUM: Bobby Dodd StadiumGrant Field at Georgia Tech University (capacity FUN FACT: The Beat features players from four national teams, including Wen, the top overall pick in the draft. WEB SITE: www.theatlantabeat.com Boston Breakers team's leading scorer in 1999 with 21 goals and 12 assists in 27 games. (gniiiicniar Touring UK 4O.0OO mTntt I 40,000 UUm Wmnrnnti P20570R15 P21570R15 51 P17565R14 P18565R14 P19565R14 P19565R15 P19575R14 $53.99 P20575R14 $54.99 P20575R15 $57.99 P23575R15 $59.99 P17570R13 $59.99 P18570R14 $60.99 P19570R14 $62.99 P20570R14 $64.99 OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Sara Whalen (member of U.S. national team since 1997; played in 18 games in 1999); Gao Hong (member of Chinese national team since 1989; shutout USA in the 1996 Olympics). NICKNAME: Chosen by the team's front office and features the catch phrase "Get emPOWERed." STADIUM: Mitchel Athletic Complex, Long Island (capacity FUN FACT: Milbrettwas named female athlete of the year by U.S.

Soccer. WEB SITE: www.newyorkpower.net Philadelphia Charge P20565R15 P21565R15 ment Program; also coached the Sacramento Storm of the W-League and Stanford). STAR POWER: Brandi Chastain is most known for her penalty kick that beat China in the 1999 World Cup final. She played in the 1991 and '99 World Cups and the 1 996 and 2000 Olympics. OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Tisha Venturini (played in '95 and '99 World Cups; was a three-time All-American at North Carolina); Katia (member of Brazilian national team since 1995); Sissi (member of Brazilian national team; scored seven goals in '99 World Cup).

NICKNAME: CyberRays are mythical creatures. It combines Cyber, which has to do with the bay area's computer and electronics industry, with the menacing Pacific Electric Ray found in the Atlantic Ocean. STADIUM: Spartan Stadium FUN FACT: Eight CyberRays have World Cup experience and 12 have made at least one international appearance. WEB SITE: bayareacyberrays.com Washington Freedom COACH: Jay Hoffman (staff coach with U.S. Soccer Federation since 1992; assistant with the women's P20575R15 P23575R15 $83.99 31X10.50R15...S83.99.

P156R12 P17570R13 $34.99 P18570R14 $37.75 P19570R14 $37.75 P20570R14 $45.99 P20570R15 $47.99 P21570R15 $52.99 P17565R14 $44.99 P18565R14 $44.99 P20565R15 $45.75 P18560HR14 'Whltewall No canyouts. No dealers. Tread may vary. jHpW" Buy four Continental Tires tip receive a FREE pair of Bushnell Binoculars! Ask lor details. Otter Expires Apnl 30.

2001 Bushnell Falcon 10x50 Binoculars MSRP $40.95 iyv -E ichelin COACH: Mark Krikorian (last coached at the University of Hartford, where he led 1 100,000 Mile Warranty TURANZA X-ONE PILOT LTX P17V7M11 SYMMETRY RAINFORCE MX4 COACH: Jim Gabarra (former AVM HA 60000 Warranty Manufacturer Warranty) mm afssw-tw. rm, a mm mm- Km Call tor more sizes U.S. national team member; assistant coach at Navy before joining the Freedom). 18565HR15 $68.99 20565HR15 $78.99 20560HR15 $71.99 21560HR16 $84.99 CPJIOJ P23575R15 OWL U.S. national team from 1998-2000).

STAR POWER: Kristine Lilly is the only person to have more than 200 international appearances. She is third all-time in U.S. women's history with 81 goals. Lilly was a member of the 1991 and '99 World Cup champions and the Olympic gold-medal team in '96. OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Kate Sobrero (played in five World Cup matches and 21 overall in 1999; at 22, was the youngest U.S.

starter in the World Cup); Robin Confer (three-time all-state at Clearwater Central Catholic; had her jersey retired at North Carolina; has eight appearances for U.S. national team); Dagny Mellgren (has 34 appearances for the Norwegian national team; scored winning goal in a 3-2 victory over USA in the 2000 Olympic Games). NICKNAME: Comes from the waves seen off the Atlantic coast. Mascot is a harbor seal. STADIUM: Nickerson Field, Boston University QUOTE: "It's going to be a riot to see everyone and be like, 'Hey, good and then just want to kill them on the field." Sobrero.

WEB SITE: www.bostonbreakers.com Carolina Courage rtROL(k, COACH: Marcia A the team to four NCAA Tournaments). STAR POWER: Defensive midfielder Lorrie Fair has 85 appearances with the U.S. national team through 2000. At 20, she was the youngest member of the 1 999 World Cup team and played in four of six matches. OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Liu Ailing (starter on Chinese national team since 1987; considered one of best central midfielders in the world); Mandy Clemens (joined U.S.

national team in 1999 and has four appearances). NICKNAME: Selected in a name-the-team contest. The on the logo is the same used by Comcast Cable, which owns the team. STADIUM: Villanova Stadium (capacity FUN FACT: The Charge has one of the youngest teams in WUSA with an average age of just more than 22. WEBSITE: www.philadelphiacharge.com San Diego Spirit OFF 99 99 20 39 69s5 12 Buy 3 Get the FREE GabrW or Monroe Shodo Stole, any comoimtMi loam price unit tree, lestisatlon not mdudod on trie unit rsPiur rat ML MM MM Any Brake Servlc Over "89.98 Includes uo to 5 ah.

of 10W30. Alter, and lube wtiere sppltoabte. Pbt AsDOSff toe. ton towwotM OR $10 OFF ANY OTHER ALIGNMENT Helps prevm etftf tn mem (Mff- compute accuracy tor four vetmX Ummtea Mneape wrtft 3 jfetr oofcy VltnUMMH Don your car hesitate? Have poor acceteratlort? Check Engine light on? nREPUl STAR POWER: Mia Hamm is likely the most recognizable female soccer player in the world. She has 1 14 career goals, the all-time record in men's or women's international play.

Hamm has played on the national team since 1991 and was a standout at North Carolina. She scored in a 5-0 exhibition win Friday over the University of Maryland in her first action since shoulder surgery. OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Siri Mullinix (reserve for the 1 999 World Cup); Pretinha (played in three World Cup matches for Brazil); Roseli (Brazilian national team member). NICKNAME: Selected by the league, Freedom was chosen for its affiliation with the nation's capital. STADIUM: RFK Stadium (26,000 for soccer).

FUN FACT: The Freedom will share RFK with D.C. United of the MLS until it moves into a soccer specific stadium next season. WEBSrfE: www.washingtonfreedom.com Compiled by Rodney Page. TREPUI ratal, mm mm TIREPLU Mrs tars 4 Mjii. Iruou 4 (P Most cars hortl trucks tXP 4 28-0! MoS cars itgtti trucw UP Jl txp iiiniin i ii ii i i Mcuermott H5 (coached i' COACH: Carlos Juarez (men's and women's coach at Cal Poly Pomona for four years before joining WUSA).

STAR POWER: Julie Foudy is a co-captain and 13-year member Northwestern, 1994-2000; also coached at Maryland and SAFETY HARBOR 1620 McMuller Bootti mv0541 SEBRiNGSOOUS Hwy 27N mv07611 SEMiNOtE LARGO "800 Sernote Btvd mv076l2 SEVEN SPRINGS 7446 Stale Road 54 mv076i6 SOUTH TAMPA 3626 Date Matjrv myQ7633 SPRING HILL 1376 Lon Df mvQ7599 TAMPA-U 5136 Fowlef Ave mvl9308 TV RONE SQ MALL 2800 Tyrone Btvd mv076lft WAREHOUSE 2009 Sunnydale BMJ mv07564 WINTER HAVEN 5396 Cyprsss Gardens BMI mv3480 ZEPHYHhilLS 520 Gall Bvd mv07605 727-724-8508 863 382-8000 727-501-0611 727-372 1771 Bi 3-839 7581 352-666-1508 .813 984-7061 727-344-8701 727-446-4557 863-324633 813-715-4651 BAOTQW 625 West Mam 863 533-0368 SAvQNt' POV 7'09 Stare Roaa 52 rrvJ'SPC 3lO0M'NGDlE B2G B'oc'ngcja Ae B1 3-654-821 3PC6 '41 ret? 94T-'06-3361 "'i1- SB Eas' mjc4lb jai 9359 9 AN "ON B'Zr-Xr B'vtl mvZ7S'9 3-654 -S'S' RE00'Sv-1 5 Rroac Si-ee--v'. 352 '99 299 CAROi WOOD 4' 29 -fC-75i 8' 3 908-861 CtfcS' 4 M.ssot Ae vC-'Sfee "76 i'5i CEAWA-M waLl Gjfi T0 Bay -ivC'630 "96 0'4 0OijNfvSDf MAlL '25 jG'WN'CWN Z'2 3 25363' spe sz '2 5' EAST LAKE 36003 Lake Rfl mv34837 727 787-6198 HILlSBOOuGh TTOur Ave mv0762l 813-875-091 'NVERNESS 260' Gu To-Lake Hwv 352-637-3322 LAKELAND No1t 4650 US 98 mv26155 863-858-0031 lAKEASDS 40 flonoa Ave. mv34839 8b3-64 AHD 0 LAKES ii US rrTv076O3 3-909 7 LARGO EAST BAY 1000 Bav Dive mv07597 72'-501-O63l NEW OP' RtCHEV 3732 19 ttiv07617 727-88-953' NFW TAMPA 8801 New Tampa Hd 813-910-0608 NOR'h tampa if 125 Dale Matxy mv07623 813-962-4511 NW TAMPA 941' Harney Rfl mv28651 813-23-0271 Oir-SMAR 3694 'ampa Road rw07607 813-854 1631 PA, hARBO 329f Lj hwv 19 mv36892 72? 789-558 OARXS'DE MAlL t2O0 wy 19 mv0760 493? PlANt C-iTv 2'Z --a-'-PS peQar Pfcwy mvC5-3 B'3 T5 Arkansas). STAR POWER: Carta Overbeck was captain of the U.S. national team, 1993-2000.

She played every minute of every game in the 1 995 and '99 World Cups and the '96 Olympics. of the U.S. national team, appearing in 196 matches. She was a four-time All-American at Stanford. OTHER KEY PLAYERS: Joy Fawcett (played every minute of 1995 and '99 detart Some tours may vary, call store tor I itmi ftft.

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