(May 23, 2002)

San Diego Spirit Takes on the New York Power on PAX TV

ATLANTA GA (May 23, 2002) This week's WUSA National Game of the Week on PAX is a rematch of one of the most surprising games of the young season. On April 20 in
San Diego, the Spirit simply destroyed the New York Power, 6-1.

Saturday at 4:00 p.m. (ET), the Power hosts the Spirit, and here are five reasons why you should be paying close attention.

1. The Pride Factor?
New York, it seems, can react in one of two ways. One, they can play scared and act intimidated by team against which it was clearly dominated. Or, the Power's pride can take over. The Power won't soon forget the April 20 match.

"I don't think that will ever happen to this team again," said Power midfielder Ronnie Fair.

2. The Millie-Mac Factor
The Spirit's Shannon MacMillan is one of the world's best goal-scorers. She has proved it with the U.S. national team as well as with San Diego in the WUSA. MacMillan, however, has not scored in four weeks, an eternity for someone of MacMillan's skill. The last time the Spirit played New York, she had two, her only two of the year. MacMillan may use this week's match as a springboard for one of her patented scoring streaks.

New York's Tiffeny Milbrett, again this year, is one of the lone bright spots for the Power. New York has 10 goals - although four came in the season-opening win over Washington - and Milbrett has three, despite missing one game while on national team duty. Milbrett, last year's league MVP, has been known to throw her team on her back. She might just do it again this week.

Milbrett, however, has never scored against San Diego, a stat Spirit coach Carlos Juarez knows is bound to come to an end. "You're not going to stop her forever," he said

3. The Desperation Factor
New York is in last place with one win and one tie in six games. The Power has four points, which is four points out of the playoff picture. Sure, there are a lot of games left to play, but with every game in the WUSA meaningful to the playoff picture, New York knows it can't afford to drift any further behind. In short, three points are way overdue. A team that feels its back is to the wall is a dangerous opponent.

4. The Foudy Factor
Julie Foudy scored her first career WUSA goal last week - the game-winner in the 1-0 win over Philadelphia. Foudy, not known as a goal-scorer, has, like MacMillan, been known to score in streaks. With the lid finally off the goal, can Foudy start popping them in on a regular basis?

5. The Confidence Factor
San Diego has been a streaky team. "It's been weird," said Foudy, the team's captain. "We come out good one week, then flat the next."

The Spirit went 7-7-7 last season and stand at 2-2-2 this year. It has never been above .500. But after the most significant win in the team's 27-game history - a defeat of the previously undefeated Philadelphia Charge last week - the Spirit could have the confidence it needs to get over the .500 hump.

This Saturday on PAX TV, the San Diego Spirit takes on the New York Power at 4:00pm ET / 1:00pm PT. Watch and learn how you can win weekly soccer parties, WUSA gear and a trip for four to the Founders Cup!

Find your local PAX TV channel: http://www.wusa.com/pax/ PAX is currently in 90,000,000+ homes nationwide.

[Source: Tim Nash © TEAMtalk 2002]