(August 22, 2002)                                                                                             Hot News Main Page 

Philadelphia's Marinette Pichon Named WUSA 2002 Most Valuable Player
Charge Forward Adds Another WUSA Award to Her Trophy Case

ATLANTA GA (August 22, 2002) The Women's United Soccer Association today announced that Philadelphia Charge forward Marinette Pichon has been named the league's Most Valuable Player for the 2002 season.

The 5-foot-3 striker from Saint Memmie, France, who finished fourth in the WUSA in scoring with 29 points, was the only Philadelphia player to finish among the league's top 20 scorers. The driving force behind Philadelphia's surge toward the playoffs, Pichon also won Offensive Player of the Year honors. She is currently in France preparing for a World Cup qualifying match against Denmark tomorrow.

"This is a great honor because the players in the WUSA are the best in the world," Pichon said. "It's very special to be compared to them. I owe this award to my teammates, but especially to my mom who has always supported me throughout my life."

In her first season, the 26-year-old Pichon quickly quieted any skeptics who questioned her ability to adapt to the WUSA. Her sophisticated runs and clinical finishing resulted in 14 goals (second in the WUSA). A two-time WUSA Player of the Week, Pichon recorded the league's fourth-ever hat trick on July 7. In addition, her 1.61 points per game ranked fourth in the league. The WUSA Player of the Month for June recorded six goals in five games during the month to lead the Charge to a 3-0-3 record.

Prior to coming to the WUSA, Pichon was a standout for OL Saint Memmie in her hometown. She recorded 22 goals and five assists in 12 games for her club team in 2001. Scoring 150 goals during her club career in France, Pichon led the F.F.F. (Federation Francaise de Football) in scoring four times. She was also a member of OL Saint Memmie championship squad in 1994-95.

The Most Valuable Player Award is awarded to the player judged to have had the greatest impact on her team's performance during the WUSA regular season. The MVP is a player who performed at a high level for her team, game after game. WUSA coaches, general managers, players and members of the media voted for the 2002 WUSA Most Valuable Player.

Most Valuable Players of WUSA
2002 Marinette Pichon Philadelphia Charge
2001 Tiffeny Milbrett New York Power

2002 Most Valuable Player Finalists
Marinette Pichon, Philadelphia
Birgit Prinz, Carolina Courage
Hege Riise, Carolina Courage

[Source: Dan Courtemanche - (678) 645-0757, www.WUSA.com, Paul Dodson - (678) 645-0764, WUSA Communications]