(November 6, 2001)

Brandi Chastain & Julie Foudy 
media availability before benefit game  

SAN JOSE, CA (November 6, 2001) Brandi Chastain of the Bay Area CyberRays and Julie Foudy of the San Diego Spirit – captains of their respective teams – will be available for a media interview period at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, at Stanford prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff of the Red Cross benefit game between the WUSA champion CyberRays and San Diego.

Interviews will be conducted on New Maloney Field, site of the exhibition match. There will be no admission charged for the game, but donations to the American Red Cross for local disaster preparedness and relief initiatives will be solicited. Bay Area Red Cross volunteers who have worked at Ground Zero in New York or at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., sites of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, will be honored in pre-game ceremonies.

The event, which comes during an 11-day off-season training camp for the CyberRays, is being underwritten in part by Stanford, which has donated use of its soccer stadium; the San Jose Hilton & Towers Hotel, which will provide accommodations for the Spirit; West Valley Charter, ground transportation supplier; and Tony & Alba’s Pizza, which will feed both teams.

``All of us were affected by the events of Sept. 11 and were reminded of the vital role of the American Red Cross in helping people in times such as war, earthquakes and hurricanes,’’ said CyberRays general manager Marlene Bjornsrud. ``This is an opportunity for the CyberRays to contribute to an organization that touches all of us when we need help the most.’’

``Stanford is proud to partner with the WUSA and the Bay Area CyberRays to raise funds for the American Red Cross,’’ said Earl Koberlein, associated athletic director at Stanford. ``It is important for all Americans and peace loving people of the world to unite in light of the horrific terrorist attacks. Hopefully this event can help in the healing process and at the same time raise much needed funds for the disaster

relief efforts.’’

The match will be the first for the CyberRays since winning the inaugural WUSA championship Aug. 25, and the Founders Cup trophy will be on display for fans. It will also mark the return to Stanford of Spirit captain Julie Foudy, a four-time all-American for the Cardinal during a career that ended in 1992.

Players from both teams will be available afterward for an autograph-signing period.

Game fact sheet

Bay Area CyberRays (13-6-4, 2001 WUSA champions)

vs.

San Diego Spirit (7-7-7, 5^th)

All-time series record: 1-1-1

Time: 7 p.m.

Day / date: Thursday, Nov. 8

Place: New Maloney Field, Stanford

Top players:    CyberRays – D Brandi Chastain, F Julie Murray, M Sissi, GK LaKeysia Beene.

                        San Diego Spirit – M Julie Foudy, D Joy Fawcett, F Shannon MacMillan.

Beneficiary: American Red Cross

Sponsors: Stanford University, San Jose Hilton & Towers Hotel.

[Source:   Jody Meacham, Director of Public Relations, Bay Area CyberRays,  408 / 261-7724 office,  408 / 690-9362 cell,  jmeacham@bayareacyberrays.com]